7 Best Mountain Views in Blue Ridge, GA

A cabin getaway in beautiful North Georgia wouldn’t be complete without stunning mountain views. Numerous picturesque locations around Blue Ridge and Ellijay provide unforgettable views of the Blue Ridge Mountains and the surrounding rivers and valleys.

Whether you want to hike, drive, or even relax on a train, you don’t have to go far for the best Blue Ridge Mountain views. One of the best ways to enjoy the incredible natural beauty of North Georgia is to stop at one of the numerous awe-inspiring viewpoints in the area.

From mountain overlooks, scenic train rides through the forest, and peaceful views from the comfort of your own cabin, North Georgia has no shortage of unforgettable mountain views and outdoor adventures amongst them.
 

1. Your Blue Ridge Cabin

You don’t have to travel far to find some of the best scenic overlooks in the North Georgia mountains. From the privacy of your cabin, take in the incredible sweeping views of the mountains and valley stretching before you.

There is no better way to start your day than enjoying a cup of coffee on your cabin porch while looking out upon the beautiful views of North Georgia’s mountains from rentals in Cherry Log and Blue Ridge.

Listen to the song of native birds in the spring, relax after a day of outdoor activity in the summer, be amazed by the vibrant foliage in autumn, curl up by the fireplace, and look out at the frosty wonderland in winter.

No matter the season, your Blue Sky cabin will offer some of the best and most accessible vistas in the area.
 

2. Blue Ridge Scenic Railway

Photo Credit: Olin Gilbert via Flickr CC2.0

For one of the most spectacular views in the state, check out Georgia’s Blue Ridge Scenic Railway. Departing from the historic train depot in downtown Blue Ridge, this four-hour round-trip train journey takes you along the Toccoa River and winds through the mountains before stopping in the sister towns of McCaysville, Georgia, and Copperhill, Tennessee.

Enjoy a couple of hours of shopping, dining, and enjoying these quaint mountain towns before you make the one-hour return journey to Blue Ridge.

Choose from a vintage-styled, climate-controlled, or open-air railcar for your journey. The open-air car offers a unique and unforgettable view for those seeking the most scenic option.
 

3. Long Creek Falls

Photo Credit: Sandra Burm

Hikers will love having this trail close to their cabin rentals in Ellijay. A short hike that is big on views, the Long Creek Falls Trail is a 2-mile trail with an out-and-back route east of Ellijay.

Taking you through the lush forest and following along the river, the crown jewel of this trail is Long Creek Falls itself. Rushing an impressive 50 feet down multiple drops and framed with mossy rocks and wildflowers, this spot is genuinely picture-perfect.

4. Blood Mountain

Photo Credit: MarksPursuit

This scenic drive gives some of the best mountain views in the entire state. Take Highway 129 south through the small towns surrounding the Chattahoochee National Forest to reach Neels Gap and the base of Blood Mountain.

You have a lovely overlook from this spot with views over the foothills and the Appalachian Mountains, or you can opt to hike Blood Mountain for even more scenic views.

The Blood Mountain summit is the highest peak of the Appalachian Trail in Georgia and is a popular but demanding hike. Although only 5.7 miles roundtrip, the 1,555 feet of elevation gain makes this a more challenging trail. However, the payoff makes the effort worth it because the summit offers unforgettable long-range views across the Blue Ridge Mountains and North Georgia.
 

5. Toccoa River Swinging Bridge

Photo Credit: Sally Masters

For a different sort of view in the North Georgia area, head to the Benton MacKaye Trailhead just outside Blue Ridge and hike to the Toccoa River Swinging Bridge. Over the river is a unique swinging bridge, providing a cool and unique view of the river and surrounding hills.

The 270-foot-long suspension bridge over the Toccoa River is a fantastic spot for pictures. If you’d like, you can continue on the trail to explore a small waterfall before taking a short climb up the nearby summit for a nice mountain overlook.

The swinging bridge section of the trail is only 0.5 miles roundtrip, and the entire hike, mountain summit included, spans around 2 miles, making this an excellent family-friendly destination.
 

6. Lake Blue Ridge

Photo Credit: commons.wikimedia.org

Soak up some sun as you stroll around the shores of Lake Blue Ridge. Enjoy the views of the surrounding national forest and keep your eye out for wildlife along the hiking trails around the lake, such as great blue herons, turtles, salamanders, ducks, and even majestic bald eagles.

Two of the best spots for fantastic lake scenery are the viewing spot at the end of the marina parking lot and the TVA day-use area off Highway 76.
 

7. South Route 2

Photo Credit: wikipedia.org

Get off the beaten path, quite literally, when you take a drive down South Route 2. Starting in Blue Ridge, take Highway 5 north until you reach the sister cities of McCaysville, Georgia, and Copperhill, Tennessee.

Here you can access the unpaved South Route 2, which takes you on an amazing journey through a dense hardwood forest before you reach Watson Gap. This will take you 2,700 feet in elevation, with incredible views in every direction.

The road continues towards the Ocoee River in one direction and Lake Conasauga in the other. There are numerous trailheads where you can hike for further views, with the Mountaintown Creek Overlook taking you to an altitude of 3,484 feet.
 

Scenic Bliss in Blue Ridge

Pack your camera and prepare for the views of a lifetime when you head off for your Georgia vacation.

Travelers staying in the Blue Ridge and Ellijay area have no shortage of picturesque vacation cabin rentals that are perfect for enjoying the stunning scenery that North Georgia has to offer.