Combo hike the Arkaquah Trail and the paved summit trail to the observation deck at the top of Brasstown Bald for amazing 360-degree views from Georgia's highest mountain. The most challenging route to Brasstown Bald and one of Georgia's most difficult day hikes, the Arkaquah Trail is a great way to test your trail legs.
Begin at the small parking lot at Track Rock Gap. You could also begin at the Brasstown Bald parking lot but then you're not really hiking toward anything and you save all the difficult bits for the return journey. Take the short side trail up the steps to the petroglyph site if you want to decipher native stone carvings. Afterward, begin the hike from the parking lot, crossing the road and turning left. Hike up the road for about 100 feet. You should see the signed trail easily.
The trail ascends quickly to Buzzard Roost Ridge over the first 1.5 miles, gaining 1300 feet in elevation. Walking along the knife-edge ridge, you'll have winter views on both sides and still get a few views in summer. Drop down steeply to a gap, then back up and down again to a second gap. From here, the rest of the way is mostly uphill.
While there are plenty of trees down that are easy to get over, under, or around, you will have a challenging time at mile 3.1. A large section of the trail is completely obscured by blow-downs. Heading under a large tree, look up to the right and you'll see an orange ribbon indicating where the trail picks back up. This can be quite challenging if it's rained and is muddy. Trekking poles will help immensely especially on the way back down.
Soon afterward, a side trail on the left leads to the best view along the trail outside of the summit of Brasstown Bald. You'll get some winter views from near the summit of Chimneytop Mountain before reaching the Brasstown Bald parking lot at 5.3 miles. This is where the Arkaquah Trail ends. Between the restrooms and the general store you'll see the paved path for the Summit Trail. This will take you the rest of the way.
You're not done yet, the Summit Trail is still quite steep as it ascends more than 400 feet in just over half a mile. The large Visitor Center at the summit has many information displays as well as restrooms and the Mountain Top Theater shows a short film about the area. Take the stairs behind the theater to the expansive observation deck. Unfortunately you can't climb up the fire tower as it is not open to the public, but you'll still get amazing views in all directions.