Georgia's Longest Hiking Trails
Explore five of the longest trails in Georgia, perfect for day hikes and overnight backpacking trips.
Explore the longest, most incredibly scenic trails winding through the forests and mountains of Georgia. Traversing Georgia's diverse landscapes, these trails are perfect for day hikes and overnight backpacking trips.
Appalachian Trail plaque on Springer Mountain in Ellijay, Georgia. Photo by @gcalebjones
Appalachian Trail
Beginning atop Springer Mountain, the iconic footpath leads adventurers on a life-changing hike through five national parks and 14 states. The first (or last) 78 miles of the Appalachian Trail offer a rewarding hike over North Georgia's rugged, mountainous terrain. Day hikers and backpackers follow along the banks of trophy trout streams, visit tumbling waterfalls and summit several mountains with gorgeous Blue Ridge Mountain vistas.
More: Hiking the Appalachian Trail in Georgia: Where to Go and What to Bring
Bartram Trail. Photo by Candy Cook
Bartram Trail
Cutting through the wilderness of Chattahoochee National Forest for nearly 40 miles in North Georgia, the Bartram Trail follows in the footsteps of famed naturalist William Bartram. Trail travelers soak in the beauty of Chattooga Wild and Scenic River and experience breathtaking long-range views from Rabun Bald.
Swinging Bridge on the Benton MacKaye Trail near Blue Ridge, Georgia. Photo by @jake.teki
Benton MacKaye Trail
Named for the father of the Appalachian Trail, this hike covers more than 90 miles through Chattahoochee National Forest and Cohutta Wilderness before crossing into Tennessee. The Benton MacKaye Trail begins with the Appalachian Trail at Springer Mountain before cutting toward the remote backcountry of Cohutta. Hikers on this trail enjoy more solitude than along the Appalachian Trail. Highlights include the swinging bridge over the Toccoa River and Falls Branch Falls.
Fort Mountain State Park in Chatsworth, Georgia. Photo by @billrubino
Pinhoti Trail
Running 340 miles through Alabama and Georgia, Pinhoti's Georgia section is the longest hike in the state at 167 miles. In addition to hiking, the Pinhoti Trail offers IMBA EPIC mountain biking and horseback riding on most sections. The trail cuts through Sloppy Floyd State Park and connects Fort Mountain State Park with the Benton MacKaye Trail.
Woman at overlook on the Pine Mountain Trail at F.D. Roosevelt State Park in Pine Mountain, Georgia. Photo by @teylorparks
Pine Mountain Trail at F.D. Roosevelt State Park
Discover Georgia's largest state park, F.D. Roosevelt State Park, along the meandering 23-mile Pine Mountain Trail. Located near Georgia's fall line, where the piedmont meets the coastal plain, Pine Mountain Trail treats hikers to cascading waterfalls, grand vistas and rocky cliffs. Sixteen designated campsites, available to permit-holders, offer tranquil shelter surrounded by large hardwoods or overlooking springs and streams.
