A Day Trip through the North Georgia Mountains

Going to the North Georgia Mountains in late July is one of my favorite summertime activities. I don’t know what it is about late July. Maybe it is the dark green leaves, the forest air, or the mountains feeling so alive this time of year. The hard part is the heat. It is difficult to completely escape the Georgia heat anywhere in the state. So, if you are looking for a day trip that still lets you spend some time outside without getting overheated, this article is for you!

First Stop: Bell Mountain Park, Hiawassee

On Tuesday, July 21, my sister Maddie and I traveled to our first stop: Bell Mountain Park in Hiawassee. To get there, you must travel up a narrow winding mountain road. Be careful on this road, it has hairpin turns and some areas of the road are closer to one lane than two. Once you get to the top, you will find a parking lot. We were here on a Tuesday, so we had the whole mountain top to ourselves. Bell Mountain is one of Georgia’s most famous mountains. What is cool about this place is that you don’t have to hike, just drive. Once you get out, head up some stairs to observation decks. The stairs are worth it! And they are doable! This is coming from someone whose hiking nemesis is stairs. But if I could do it, so can you. There is also no shame in taking a break or two when going up the stairs (I know I did!).

The Views from the Summit

At the top of Bell Mountain, you are surrounded by other mountains and sweeping views of Lake Chatuge. At an elevation of 3,424 feet, you are above the buzzards and hawks soaring around the mountain. We also spotted wildflowers, eastern fence lizards, and butterflies floating around the mountain top. The views truly are so neat. The other thing that makes this overlook stand out is the graffiti. Yes, there is unfortunately graffiti all over the mountain top. Yes, that does violate “leave no trace” rules. But is the mountain any less beautiful? No, absolutely not. Everyone should visit if they are in the area!

Next Stop: Cool Off at Hiawassee Brew

After about 20 minutes at Bell Mountain Park, Maddie and I drove back down the mountain. Our next stop was just 3 miles away: Hiawassee Brew. This brewery is located just across the street from the shores of Lake Chatuge. Hiawassee Brew has a large tap list of home brews and guest taps. While we were there, 21 beers and ciders were on tap. Jesse and I visited this brewery a long time ago before our Trails and Tap days. On this visit, I tried the Blood Orange Radler from Two Pitchers brewing. This beer was 5.1% and tasted just like blood orange juice mixed with beer. I loved it! I also tried the Red White and Bold apple razz cider from Bold Rock. I didn’t know it was going to be a bright blue cider. When the bartender was filling my glass with the blue cider, an old gentleman at the bar did no work to hide the judgement on his face for getting such a crazy looking drink, ha ha ha. I thought it was funny and I very much enjoyed my sweet blue cider!

Hiawassee Brew has a large variety of beers, but they also serve wine and seltzers. The brewery is two stories and serves food. This is a family and dog friendly brewery as well. It is Hiawassee’s only brewery – next time you are in the area, make it a pit stop!

Third Stop: Brasstown Bald, Georgia’s Highest Point

Next stop on our mountain jaunt: Brasstown Bald. This is the highest point in Georgia at 4,784 feet above sea level. This is not a Georgia State Park, but it is operated by a recreation company called Find Outdoors. The entry fee is $10, but it includes a shuttle ride up and down the mountain. Our recommendation is to ride the shuttle up the mountain and then hike down it.

When we arrived, we hung out in the cute gift shop while waiting for our shuttle ride. Don’t forget to stop in and buy a sticker (or three!). Once the bus got there, we filed in with other visitors and took the scenic drive up to the observation tower and museum at the top of the mountain. The observation tower and deck provide informational signs to let you know what mountains and other states you are looking at. Brasstown Bald is pretty close to the North Carolina border. We were able to see Kuwohi (formerly Clingman’s Dome) from here!

Don’t Miss the Museum at the Top

While you are at the top of the mountain, you must stop inside the museum. I love any and all museums, so I am a little bit biased. However, this cozy museum is awesome. As you walk through the museum, you learn about the mountain and the surrounding area’s history. It starts with the formation of the Appalachian Mountains to modern day. There are interactive parts of the exhibits, and you can also sit on a steam engine. There are also wildlife displays. For anyone that loves Southern Appalachia, this museum is right up your alley.

Hiking Back Down the Mountain

After walking around the top of Brasstown Bald, it was time to hike down the mountain. This hike is down a paved trail that winds through rhododendron tree tunnels. The hike is only 16 minutes and just over half a mile. It also feels like a breeze going downhill compared to going uphill on this hike.

Final Stop: Vogel State Park

Our final stop for the day was Vogel State Park. Vogel is only a ten-mile drive from Brasstown Bald and is one of the most scenic Georgia State Parks. Upon arrival, we were surprised to see that the iconic Lake Trahlyta was drained. The lake is still drained for repairs on the dam. Unfortunately, this means that the lake loop to the waterfall there is also closed. If you plan on visiting the park, make sure to check the Georgia State Parks website for updates on closures.

Byron Herbert Reece Nature Trail

Instead of doing the lake loop, we hiked on the short Byron Herbert Reece Nature Trail. This trail is .8 miles and is a partial loop. This trail is known for having more tree species than all of Yellowstone National Park! This was a very pretty trail. We were able to explore a creek and find diverse fungi species.

This trail also shares an entrance with the Bear Hair Gap Trail and the Coosa Backcountry Trail. Pay attention to the trail markers out there. We didn’t quite complete the loop and ended up back in the campground. We were able to easily make it back to our car after walking through the campground.

Next time you have a chance to spend a day in the North Georgia Mountains, I hope that you are able to visit some of these mountain destinations. You won’t regret it!

Tips for Your North Georgia Day Trip

Check the GA State Parks website for closure status on the lake loop trail at Vogel State Park before you go.
Get a map from the Visitor Center at Vogel if you plan to hike!
All of these areas are home to black bears. Don’t forget to be bear aware!
If you visit Brasstown Bald, ride the shuttle up the mountain and then hike back down.

Happy Trails!
Katie and Maddie