Brasstown Bald: Georgia’s Highest Mountain
Disclaimer: We are not paid to promote any restaurant, hotel, activity, product, or attraction. All opinions are subjective and based on our personal experience. Your experience may be different.
At 4784 feet, Brasstown Bald stands tall as the highest point in the state of Georgia. The mountain is located in Chattahoochee National Forest and is part of the scenic Blue Ridge Mountain range. Hiking or taking the shuttle up to the magnificent overlook is a must do when visiting this gorgeous region. It’s a quick drive from many touristy areas. We took a daytrip here (about a 45 min drive) from Blue Ridge, a quaint town in the mountains.
Whether you walk or take the shuttle, the observation tower provides gorgeous panoramic views of the area. From here, you will be able to take in the amazing scenery of 4 different states: Georgia, Tennessee, North Carolina, and South Carolina. I really enjoyed the lush green mountain views during our late summer visit and I imagine it would be even more spectacular with all the autumn fall foliage. From the summit, you will be treated to breathtaking views of both the Smoky and Blue Ridge mountains. On clear days, you can see the Atlanta skyline. I recommend planning your hike around sunset or sunrise for the most dramatic views.
Hiking (and other means of transportation) to the summit
There are several ways to arrive at the top including: the 3 mile long Jack’s Knob Trail, the 5.5 mile long Arkaquah Trail, and the most popular option, the 0.6 mile Summit Tail, a paved path from the Visitor’s Center parking lot (you will drive up most of the mountain, than park and take the short, yet steep trail to the summit). Those who are unable to hike can opt to take a shuttle up. No matter which route you choose, the ending view is the same amazing mountain landscape!
To get the true experience, I recommend hiking (if you are able to do so) over taking the shuttle. It’s more fun and challenging, in addition to being very scenic in and of itself. Not to mention walking up and downhill for a mile is a great lower body workout! Fortunately, I had a hot tub at my cabin rental to relax in after completing this uphill climb. The downhill climb is much easier than the uphill portion. We got in a vigorous workout on the way up and then enjoyed a more relaxing trek down.
Best time to visit
Summer and fall are the best times to hike here, or anywhere else in this region. Summer is a great option as temperatures are much cooler than surrounding areas (it is usually 5-10 degrees cooler in the mountains), making it a great place to escape from the traditional hot and humid southern climate.
Fall is the most popular time to visit due to the beautiful fall foliage covering the Appalachians. You will get to enjoy picture-perfect views year-round, however, and October hike would allow you to enjoy the most colorful, dramatic views. I would love to come back at this time as I absolutely love leaf peeping. The weather on our hike in late September was wonderful: upper 50’s and slightly overcast with a light refreshing wind. We lucked out as if we barely saw anyone else around. It was really easy to take as many pics as we wanted at the overlook.
Both sunrise and sunset are great times to visit. You may want to plan both a morning and evening visit to experience the view in 2 drastically different settings. We visited at sunset on a partly cloudy day and the views were really out-of-this-world. Visiting at this time of the day really set the scene for some gorgeous photos.
Be sure to plan a daytrip here on your Northern Georgia vacation. I recommend taking a drive out here, whether you are staying in nearby touristy town or visiting from a big city like Atlanta. The entire Blue Ridge region is a perfect escape from the city congestion. It’s the perfect getaway for anyone who wants to escape modern living for a few days.
Directions, Pricing, & Parking
Because there is no physical address, I recommend entering the following longitude and latitude coordinates into your GPS: N34.847894, W83.798567. The mountain is located at the intersection of Highway 180 and Spur 180 near Blairsville, Georgia. It is about a 45 minute -1 hour drive from Blue Ridge.
There is a $8 admission fee which includes both parking and the shuttle. If you arrive after 5:00, the price is reduced to $5. The last shuttle is at 4:30 – after this time, your only option to the summit is hiking.
The area is open to hiking 24 hours a day. The visitor’s center is open April-November, 7 days a week from 10:00am-5:00pm. Hours vary during the off season. You will be able to watch a movie about the mountain as well as browse around a small gift shop.
Note that there are no restrooms or water available. Definitely bring at least a bottle and a few snacks like trail mix. There is a small picnicking area available.
