The Best Hiking Trails in Blue Ridge, GA

Ready to take a hike? Northern Georgia is packed full of scenic hiking opportunities, and the quaint town of Blue Ridge is no exception.

Blue Ridge is an absolute haven for hiking enthusiasts, as the surrounding national forests and wilderness areas offer endless incredible trails. From leisurely strolls to heart-pumping adventures, there are options for every type of hiker.

While visiting Blue Ridge, Georgia, hikers can look forward to an array of natural beauty along the various trails. Plunging gorges, deep forests, and breathtakingly scenic paths are just a few of the wonders you can find in the Appalachian region.

No matter what trail you choose, your adventure through Blue Ridge is sure to be awe-inspiring! Your Blue Ridge cabin getaway won’t be complete without trying one of these ten best hikes in the area.

About Blue Ridge

The charming mountain town of Blue Ridge, Georgia, is the perfect location for your next vacation. Ideal for outdoor adventurers and nature enthusiasts, Blue Ridge is well-located for all types of outdoor recreation. Hiking, fishing, whitewater boating, birdwatching, and more can be done while enjoying a vacation here in the stunning Blue Ridge Mountains.

From taking in stunning views via the area's renowned railroad to peering off the scenic waterfall overlooks and horseback riding through the North Georgia mountains, you'll be hard-pressed to find a more exciting destination.

Hiking here is one of the best ways to experience the region. Trees such as oaks, maples, and pines dominate the area, but you may even stumble upon some unusual species like wild azaleas and magnolias. Wildlife lovers should keep a lookout for creatures native to this region, such as eagles, red-tailed hawks, beavers, and black bears.

If that wasn't enough, visitors can also explore local vineyards, go white water rafting down the Toccoa River or even go fishing on Lake Blue Ridge.

In addition to its fantastic outdoor opportunities, Blue Ridge has an incredible dining scene where spots like Harvest on Main and Cantaberry are the epitome of home-cooked North Georgia goodness. Downtown Blue Ridge is also great for shopping; don’t miss the chance to visit some fun antique shops, outdoor outfitters, and charming boutiques.

Best Blue Ridge Hiking Trails

The North Georgia area has no shortage of fantastic and memorable hiking trails, and you’ll be glad to know you don’t even have to leave the Blue Ridge area to find some of the best options.

Check out our list of the ten best day hikes in Blue Ridge as you prepare for your unforgettable adventure in North Georgia.

Long Branch Loop Trail

• Length: 2.3 miles roundtrip
• Difficulty: Easy

Located in the Aska Trails Parking Lot, The Long Branch Loop Trail is one of the most popular backpacking hikes in Blue Ridge, and for a good reason! This 2.3-mile hike is located in the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest, just south of Blue Ridge; it is only a short drive from town to the recreation area trailhead.

This loop is considered an easy hike, but it packs a big punch for stunning vistas and gorgeous scenery along the way. Enjoy a stroll along a bubbling mountain stream in peaceful wooded surroundings full of rhododendron thickets, mountain laurels, and other beautiful native wildflowers.

Long Branch Loop is an excellent trail for hiking with your dog; just remember to keep them on a leash and follow leave no trace policies. Mountain biking is also allowed on this route.

Flat Creek Loop

• Length: 6.0 miles roundtrip
• Difficulty: Moderate

Head down to the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest just outside of Blue Ridge for the beloved Flat Creek Loop. This trail is considered moderately challenging due to the length and elevation change of 1,023 feet.

This well-maintained route takes around three hours to complete and includes a few easy creek crossings. When the water levels are high enough, you will enjoy seeing the handful of small waterfalls along the trail.

Leashed dogs are welcome on the Flat Creek Loop. This can be a popular trail, so get an early start to avoid crowds.

Lake Blue Ridge Loop

• Length: 0.8 miles roundtrip
• Difficulty: Easy

Take a peaceful walk around Lake Blue Ridge with the leisurely Lake Blue Ridge Loop hike. Suitable for even young children, this loop takes you through a peaceful wooded area and along the banks of the beautiful lake.

Lake Blue Ridge is popular for birdwatching and other wildlife spotting, so be sure to keep an eye out for animals such as frogs, turtles, ducks, and even bald eagles! Leashed dogs are welcome on the Lake Blue Ridge Loop. You will see the trailhead to the far left from the parking lot.

Green Mountain via Whissenhunt Loop to Toccoa River

• Length: 5.3 miles roundtrip
• Difficulty: Moderate

The Green Mountain via Whissenhunt Loop to Toccoa River is a moderately challenging round-trip hike that gives you a nice workout with 1,158 feet of elevation gain. The trailhead is located at the Aska Trail System, about ten minutes south of Blue Ridge. From here, you will have a nice climb through beautiful woodlands before finishing at the Toccoa River.

This is a multi-use trail that allows mountain biking and welcomes leashed dogs. Head over early in the morning or on a weekday for a quieter hike.

Lake Blue Ridge Campground Trail

• Length: 1.1 miles roundtrip
• Difficulty: Easy

The Lake Blue Ridge Campground Trail is the perfect answer for a quick nature fix that the whole family will enjoy. Depart from the Blue Ridge Campground for this short, paved loop along Lake Blue Ridge. Not only is it manageable for small kids, but it is also a dog-friendly trail that provides wonderful views of the lake and its surroundings.

Pack a lunch and take advantage of the lovely picnic area here. Although the trail is paved, it is quite steep in sections, so it may not be considered suitable for strollers or wheelchairs.

Benton MacKaye Trail: Bushy Head Gap to Watson Gap

• Length: 4.8 miles roundtrip
• Difficulty: Moderate

The Benton MacKay Trail is a 300-mile trail from Springer Mountain, also the starting location of the Appalachian Trail, all the way to the northeast end of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

The Bushy Head Gap to Watson Gap portion is a moderately challenging section southwest of Blue Ridge and is a great way to get a taste of this trail without committing to the entire distance.

The trail goes through a beautiful, heavily-forested section of the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest. This route is open year-round, and if you are visiting in the autumn is a must-see for the vibrant fall foliage surrounding you.

Leashed dogs are welcome all along the Benton MacKaye Trail.

Benton MacKaye Trail: APD Highway to Boardtown Road

• Length: 6.8 miles roundtrip
• Difficulty: Moderate

Another fantastic section of the 300-mile Benton MacKaye trail is the APD Highway to Boardtown Road route. Considered moderately difficult, the trailhead for this out-and-back trail can be found a few minutes south of Blue Ridge, right off Highway 76.

This is an excellent trail for hiking with dogs and provides nice views of the backcountry as well as an area with charming cabins. However, some hikers report that the signage can be confusing, so it is recommended to follow the directions from AllTrails!

Mineral Springs Nature Trail

• Length: 0.5 miles roundtrip
• Difficulty: Easy

The Mineral Springs Nature Trail is a great option for a quick walk in Downtown Blue Ridge. The path starts off of Industrial Boulevard and meanders out to Mineral Springs Creek. This short out-and-back trail is considered easy and is perfect for the whole family, including your leashed dog.

This trail takes a whopping nine minutes to complete and is great for making several loops to get your steps in awhile, not veering too far from town.

The trail not only provides a quiet slice of nature, but it is also educational. Signs along the route identify plant life, which is perfect for teaching kids about the local flora.

Hickey Knob Trail

• Length: 3.1 miles roundtrip
• Difficulty: Easy to Moderate

The Toccoa River meanders through this trail that also passes by Lake Blue Ridge. The Hickey Knob Trail is a wonderful intermediate hike with panoramic views. It provides a nice route through a wooded area, looping back around to the trailhead once you get close to the river.

Some hikers have mentioned that it can be hard to find the trail, so be sure to navigate carefully to avoid any mishaps! A small parking area can be found at Shady Falls Road, and you’ll head east from there.

Rocky Mountain via Stanley Gap

• Length: 6.1 miles roundtrip
• Difficulty: Moderate

Explore the gorgeous Rich Mountain Wilderness area south of Blue Ridge with this moderately challenging out-and-back hike. The Rocky Mountain via Stanley Gap hike is a fantastic option for a quiet walk in the woods and is also a nice way to get your heart pumping with over 1,400 feet of elevation gain.

This trail meets up with the Stanley Gap and Benton MacKaye trails before splitting off near the end to take you to the summit of Rocky Mountain. Enjoy the gorgeous views of the Blue Ridge Mountains from the top before making your way back down to the trailhead.

Happy Hiking in Blue Ridge

This beautiful town nestled in the mountains of North Georgia has some of the best hiking opportunities in the state, offering trails suitable for any hiker, from beginner to experienced.

Hiking enthusiasts will be satisfied when they choose a cabin rental in Blue Ridge, Georgia. These easy-to-moderate hikes are waiting to take you to your zen zone!