The Great Outsmores

Now that the heat, humidity, bugs, leaves, and football season have left us until the coming year, it’s time to head to the North Georgia Mountains. Cooler weather makes it the perfect time to enjoy Georgia mountain hikes, and they’re plenty of gems to choose from. As the trees lose their leaves, and the summer haze diminishes, mountain trails lend grand vistas of the Blue Ridge, Cohuttas, Cumberland Plateau, and much more.

In the hot summer months, I try to stick to the river trails so that a quick dip can be a quick fix for our infamous heat and humidity. In winter, it seems that Georgia mountain trails take on a whole new identity once the orange and yellow trees succumb to their winter hibernation. Bluffs once enclosed by canopy, now offer stunning views of the valley floors below. I can’t help but wonder if the Blue Ridge were named this time of year, with endless ridge after ridge rolling off into the horizon like waves at sea.

In the coming weeks, I’m going to be profiling some of North Georgia’s best mountain hikes, as well as a couple hikes in neighboring North Carolina. It’s a great time to find solitude on the trail, and frozen waterfalls too. Here’s a taste of what’s coming up, so check back soon or subscribe with those little orange buttons on the top left.

• Cloudland Canyon State Park
  Simply the best mountain hike Georgia has to offer
• Rabun Bald
  Northeast GA’s crown
• The best mountain sunset on New Year’s eve
• Snow hiking in Great Smoky Mountain National Park
  No snow shoes required!
• Brasstown Bald
  Georgia’s highest peak
• Whiteside Mountain, NC
  Walkin’ in the clouds

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