Brasstown Bald Summit Trail Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest, GA
miles
LENGTH 1.1 MILES
DIFFICULTY 2.5 Easy
DURATION 1 hour
ELEVATION GAIN
390
feet
TRAIL TYPE
There And
Back Again
Brasstown Bald Summit Trail

Hike a short paved trail to the top of Brasstown Bald, Georgia's highest mountain, and enjoy crazy good views in all directions atop an expansive observation deck. One of Georgia's most popular attractions, Brasstown Bald offers some of the best views in Georgia.

The extremely large parking lot should tell you how popular the destination is, so if possible try and come on a weekday. At the entrance are restrooms and a general store for drinks and snacks. The sticker they give you to wear gets you access to the shuttle up to the top of the mountain, but you're reading this on a hiking website so you'll be taking the summit trail.

The half mile paved trail heads up to the summit and Visitor Center at a steep rate of 760 feet/mile. This is a very well maintained trail and if you get there early you'll find a ranger clearing the trail with a leaf blower. In less than a tenth of a mile you'll intersect with the Wagon Train Trail and at .4 miles you'll cross the shuttle access road.

Arrive at the Visitor Center and observation deck after half a mile. The large Visitor Center has many information displays as well as restrooms. The Mountain Top Theater shows a short film about the area. Across from the Visitor Center is a staircase that takes you up to the expansive observation deck. Unfortunately you can't climb up the fire tower as it is not open to the public. You'll still get amazing views in all directions. Explore around and look out for signs detailing the surrounding mountains.

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Elevation Map Length (miles) by Elevation (feet)
Terrain Map Click to control map
Details
length1.1 miles
difficulty2.5 Easy
duration1 hour
trail typeThere And Back Again
blazeNone
elevation gain390 ft.
state Georgia 
park/forestChattahoochee-Oconee National Forest
ranger districtBlue Ridge Ranger District
2042 Highway 515 West
Blairsville, GA 30512
706-745-6928
parking fee$5/Person, Annual Passes Available
trailhead coordinates 34.870618, -83.809922 (Degree Decimal, DegDec)
N 34°52.24, W 83°48.6 (Degree Minutes, MinDec)
N 34°52'14'', N 34°52'14'' (Degree Minutes Seconds, DMS)
Trailhead Directions
34.870618, -83.809922 (Degree Decimal, DegDec)
N 34°52.24, W 83°48.6 most GPS units use this one
N 34°52'14'', N 34°52'14'' (Degree Minutes Seconds, DMS)
Google Map It
The trail begins between the General Store and the Pavilion with restrooms and vending machines.
Parking Capacity
More than I cared to count. Several hundred.
Notes
You can take a shuttle to the top if you're unable to hike there, but since you're reading this on a hiking website you're not going to do that, now are you...
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Reviews / Comments
Average Review Rating
4.5 (2)
AtlasFire-4 years ago
Don't go in Winter, great views regardless!
Just did this fairly short hike this past weekend. The trail is completely paved which makes it great for young kids or strollers. It is steep for most of the hike but the view at the end makes it worth it. I would not recommend going in the winter as the overcast stole most of the views. Very nice facilities at the top of the mountain with bathrooms and a lecture hall. They have a shuttle service but i would recommend making the short hike up.
Easy-Medium | Hiked Winter 2020
hikethesouth-6 years ago
A High Point
Live in GA? This should be on your list of things to do. Yes yes, it's an over developed park and barely counts as "hiking". But the views, gotta love the views. Try to go on a weekday.
Easy | Hiked Summer 2018
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