North Georgias Best Scenic Drives And Day Trips

Ah, the great American road trip! It's said to be making a comeback as we're collectively dusting off the asphalt pathways to creative escapes, breathtaking sights, and amazing discoveries. This timeless vacation tradition offers new perspectives on some of the nation's most remarkable destinations. Though you're sure to have plenty of recreation and amusement just minutes from your North Georgia cabin (or even right outside your back door), why not devote a day of your Blue Ridge Mountain getaway to one of these epic drives? Here are the best day trips to tackle during your next stay!
 

Destination Dahlonega

Photo Credit: Jimmy Emerson, DVM via Flickr CC2.0

The Dahlonega drive begins and ends at the intersection of Georgia Highway 5 and 515 in Blue Ridge. This route was originally produced by the United States Forest Service. The 102-mile round-trip travels from Blue Ridge through the Chattahoochee National Forest to Dahlonega, a mountain town bustling with history and culture. You'll pass expansive countryside awash with scenic views, especially during the autumn months.

The suggested route from Fannin County Chamber highlights worthwhile stops along the way that can extend your adventure to an all-day excursion, like the swinging bridge at the Toccoa River, Wilscot Gap at The Benton MacKaye Trail, and Suches - a popular route for motorcyclists. Past Dahlonega, as you wind toward Ellijay, don't miss Amicalola Falls State Park in Dawsonville - home to the highest waterfall east of the Mississippi River, at 729 feet. Dawsonville also offers easy access to the southern end of the legendary Appalachian Trail.

A day in Dahlonega offers much in the way of family fun. Known for its role in gold rush history, you can even go panning for gold yourself at modern-day roadside gem mines! Dahlonega is home to points of interest like the Consolidated Gold Mine, the Dahlonega Gold Mine Museum, and the preserved Lumpkin County Jail, as well as a host of wineries and vineyards. Downtown Dahlonega hosts a wide array of locally-owned shops, boutiques, art galleries, and eateries, with traditional Appalachian treasures, historical authenticity, and true Southern hospitality.

For an "abbreviated" alternative that focuses on the scenery of the Georgia mountains and countryside consider the picturesque 27-mile drive through Morganton, and Dial. Potential stops along the way include hiking trails, farmsteads, and recreation along Lake Blue Ridge and the Toccoa River.
 

Destination Blairsville

Photo Credit: southernreverie via Instagram

Blairsville is the ideal destination for outdoor enthusiasts, just east of Blue Ridge. From Highway 515, take a right onto Windy Ridge Road, and then a left on Old Highway 76. Proceed just over 21 miles to Blairsville. To return, you can back-track this route, or simply hop onto Highway 515 for a more direct path back to Blue Ridge.

Located in the heart of the Chattahoochee National Forest, Blairsville is the site of off-road ATV and biking adventures. and off-the-beaten-path treks for mountain hikers, as well as access to the Appalachian Trail. Those in search of water recreation are sure to find ample opportunity for fun at the 4,180-acre Lake Nottely. To check a few more boxes off your eco-adventure of the day, follow Hwy 129 South from Blairsville about 20 miles toward Turner’s Corner for a scenic, winding mountain drive with the option to visit Vogel State Park and DeSoto Falls.

The path from Blue Ridge to Blairsville is part of the Georgia Mountain Parkway, a scenic, 65-mile drive along I-575 spanning from Atlanta north through Jasper, Ellijay, Blue Ridge, Blairsville, McCaysville, Young Harris, and Hiawassee. This route offers access to outdoor activities such as whitewater rafting, tubing, canoeing, kayaking, hiking, and fishing, as well as sights like rolling mountains, apple orchards, and wildflowers in bloom. One of the most popular scenic drives in the southeast, the Georgia Mountain Parkway also encompasses the North Georgia Farm Trail.
 

Russell-Brasstown National Scenic Byway

Start point 1-1.5 hours from Blue Ridge and Ellijay

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Enveloped by the Chattahoochee National Forest along the tops of the North Georgia mountains, this approximately 40-mile national byway provides the best views of the southern Appalachians in Georgia. Many consider Brasstown Bald to be the highlight of the journey, as the highest natural peak in the State of Georgia. You'll find plenty of picnic spots, scenic mountain overlooks, and trailheads in the area, and on a clear day, you can even see Atlanta from the top of Brasstown Bald.

Popular small town stops to spend some time along the way include: Hiawassee for outdoor adventures, kayaking at Lake Chatuge, and traditional southern BBQ; Helen for tubing down the Chattahoochee River, ziplining over the Nacoochee Valley, hiking to Anna Ruby Falls, or a break at an award-winning craft brewery; and Cleveland, home of the North Georgia Zoo and an array of wineries.
 

Cohutta-Chattahoochee Scenic Byway

Start point approximately one hour from Blue Ridge and Ellijay.

Beginning in Dalton, this 54-mile scenic driving route features rolling pastures and forests, country roads, and stunning mountain views. Points of interest along the way include the Civil War sites and working 19th-century gristmill and cotton gin at Prater’s Mill in Dalton; historic sites and natural wonders at Fort Mountain State Park in Chatsworth; and fresh farm adventures in Ellijay.

For further adventures in the Cohutta Wilderness, consider a rugged journey comprised of winding gravel roads and steep grades from Blue Ridge through the thick, unspoiled hardwood mountain forests to secluded Lake Conasauga. Four-wheel drive SUVs are recommended.
 

Southern Highroads Trail

Both Blue Ridge and Ellijay are located along this trail.

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The Southern Highroads Trail meanders through the Appalachian Mountains in Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee. The full route spans 360 miles with North Georgia highlights including Blue Ridge, Ellijay, Chatsworth, Blairsville, Young Harris, Hiawassee, Clayton, Mountain City, and Dillard. Georgia designated this Scenic Highway in 1996, through some of the most natural, remote areas of the state.
 

Blue Ridge Parkway

Start point approximately 1.5-2 hours from Blue Ridge and Ellijay.

Photo Credit: Matthew Paulson via Flickr CC2.0

Stretching 469 miles through Virginia and North Carolina, the Blue Ridge Parkway is said to be “America’s Favorite Drive", boasting endless vistas throughout the Great Smoky Mountains and the Appalachian Highlands. The parkway begins approximately two hours from Blue Ridge in Cherokee, with highlights including the highest mountain peak in the eastern United States (Mount Mitchell), the deepest gorge east of the Grand Canyon (Linville Gorge), and the highest waterfall east of the Rockies (Whitewater Falls).

Of course, you could always leave the driving to someone else and take a journey on the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway. After all, there's no wrong way to take in the mountain scenery and explore!