Are you ready, with your gear packed and excited to begin your Appalachian Trail adventure along the East Coast? You should decide where you want to start your thru-hike. This is when you hike the entire trail from end to end in one direction. Where is the Appalachian Trail start in Georgia? Springer Mountain is in Blue Ridge, and Amicalola Falls State Park is in Dawsonville. We’re experts in North Georgia and can help you decide which trail to take to begin the Appalachian National Scenic Trail.
The Appalachian Trail
The Appalachian Trail, the longest hiking-only footpath in the world — em>about 5 million steps to complete!/em> — is a must for visitors. The Appalachian National Scenic Trail, the longest hiking-only path in the world, is a must-see for visitors, day hikers, section hikers, and thru-hikers.
The Appalachian Trail follows an eastern ridge in the Appalachian Mountains. It spans 2,193 miles, reaches a height of approximately 464 500 feet, and extends from Georgia’s Springer Mountain to Maine’s Mount Katahdin in New England. The A.T. actually passes through 14 different states: Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine.
Many people choose to backpack through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Shenandoah National Park, and other national parks to gain experience and stamina. The Appalachian Trail is managed and protected primarily by the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, the National Park Service, and the United States Forest Service.
If you want to get a glimpse of the Appalachian Trail, there are access points throughout Fannin County in Georgia. It’s still cool to see where the Chattahoochee National Forest begins.
Springer Mountain
Springer Mountain, located in Blue Ridge, Georgia, is perhaps the more well-known beginning of the Appalachian Trail. You’ll see a bronze plaque at the top that says, “A footpath to those who seek fellowship with nature.”
Springer Mountain can be reached in two ways: either a 1-mile walk from the Springer Mountain Parking Area or a 4-mile hike starting at Three Forks – a junction between the Appalachian Trail & Benton MacKaye Trail.
Directions for the Springer Mountain Parking Area
- Take Aska Road for 13.5 miles until you reach a dead-end.
- Right onto Newport Road and continue for 4.5 miles until you reach another dead-end.
- Doublehead Gap is 2 miles away.
- Turn left onto F.S. Road 32.
- The parking lot is approximately 7 miles away on the left.
- Start your hike up Springer Mountain by crossing the street.
Directions for the Three Forks Parking Area
- Take Aska Road for 13.5 miles until you reach a dead-end.
- Right onto Newport Road and continue for 4.5 miles until you reach another dead-end.
- Turn left onto Doublehead Gap. Travel across the concrete bridge and continue until the road changes to gravel/dirt.
- Continue on Forest Service Road 58 for less than half a mile. Pass a cemetery and a church, then turn left onto this road (also gravel/dirt).
- You’ll arrive at the Three Forks Parking Area after 5.3 miles.
- Springer Mountain is a scenic hike that begins by following the sign for hikers crossing.
Amicalola Falls State Park
Start your Appalachian Trail journey on a less-traveled, less-crowded trail at Amicalola Falls State Park. The blue-blazed Approach Trail, which leads to Springer Mountain, was originally part of the Appalachian Trail.
Follow the blue blazes to reach Springer Mountain’s summit. You can take a picture under the stone archway that is behind the visitor center, cool off at Georgia’s tallest waterfall — Amicalola Falls, enjoy the mountaintop views, and snap some photos.
Amicalola Falls State Park Directions
- Take US-76 West for 13.6 miles from Blue Ridge.
- Continue on Greenfield Road.
- Turn left immediately onto GA-52 East and continue for 17.7 miles.
- Continue on GA-52 for 1.5 miles from the traffic circle.
- Left onto Amicalola Falls State Park Road. You’ll find the parking area in 150 feet.
- Start your Springer Mountain journey by visiting the visitor center.
Tips for a Successful Hike
- Be cautious of wild animals and the local wildlife. Before you travel, research bear and plant safety.
- Prepare by checking the weather and terrain.
- Dress and footwear according to the weather.
- Plan your route and know where the best campsites are before you go.
- Know your limits. Do not push yourself… or it will not be a good trip.
- You will need enough food and water to make it from A to B with plenty of energy.
- Leave no trace. Leave no trace. You must take everything you took on the trail with you.
What to Do in the Area
You don’t want to do the whole 2,000 miles? We understand. You only need a little taste to appreciate the Blue Ridge Mountains. Where do you go once you’ve hiked the Appalachian Trail to its beginning? You can relax and recharge in your North Georgia cabin with Georgia Cabins For YOU.
Soaking tired muscles in a steamy hot tub with massaging jets — excellent after day hikes — eating dinner down by the Toccoa River, watching the somehow-still-energetic kiddos get out their wiggles playing games, and shooting pool while enjoying local wine is a great way to end the day, eh?
Our Blue Ridge Cabin Rentals offer a variety of homey amenities and extras like fireplaces. After a fun day exploring the Appalachian Trail, a cabin in the Blue Ridge Mountains will be the perfect place to relax.
