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Gainesville, Georgia

Looking for the best hiking in Gainesville? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around Gainesville. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.

Top Hiking Spots in and near Gainesville

  • Blairsville, Georgia

    Blood Mountain via Byron Reece Trailhead

    4.7
    4.34 mi / 1447 ft gain
    The Chattahoochee National Forest and Cohutta Wilderness make up the wild and scenic southern tip of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The Blood Mountain trail offers the day hiker a taste of the Appalachian Trail that does not disappoint. The hike starts at the Byron Reece trailhead at Neels Gap where ...
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  • Blairsville, Georgia

    Appalachian Trail from Blood Mountain to Cowrock Mountain

    4.0
    14 mi / 2907 ft gain
    North Georgia is packed with awesome mountain trails, but few boast the beauty and magnitude of the Appalachian Trail. The hike from Blood Mountain to Cowrock Mountain is one of the more scenic sections of the AT in Georgia, in terms of mountain views.  Do this hike as a full day hike, or spread ...
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  • Blairsville, Georgia

    Hike to Helton Creek Falls

    4.5
    0.6 mi / 22 ft gain
    Getting to Helton Creek Falls can be a little bit tricky. You can either access the trailhead from 348 (the less popular, more adventurous route), or you can access the trailhead easily off of highway 19.  The reason why access from 348 is a bit tricky is that the road actually has two creek cros...
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  • Jasper, Georgia

    Mount Oglethorpe

    0.69 mi / 49 ft gain
    Mount Oglethorpe, located in Jasper, Georgia, offers a challenging hiking trail that spans approximately 0.69 miles. The trail is marked by a steady incline, making it suitable for intermediate to advanced hikers. The path is well-maintained and clearly marked, ensuring a safe journey for all hik...
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  • Sautee Nacoochee, Georgia

    Anna Ruby Falls

    4.0
    1 mi / 374 ft gain
    The hike to Anna Ruby Falls located in the Chattahoochee National Forest, bordering and often mistaken for being located in Unicoi State Park, begins at the Anna Ruby Falls Visitor Center. There is a $3 per person fee (16 years and under are free) to access the parking lot of the visitor center a...
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  • Blairsville, Georgia

    Hike the Bear Hair Gap Trail

    4.5
    5.5 mi / 675 ft gain
    Vogel State Park is one of the many beautifully preserved wilderness parks of Northern Georgia.  With a stunning alpine lake and 17 miles of trails, you cannot go wrong.  The Bear Hair Trail is the perfect mid-distance option that will reward you with both great views of the lake from a high vant...
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  • Blairsville, Georgia

    Hike the Trahlyta Lake Trail to Trahlyta Falls

    1 mi / 30 ft gain
    Lake Trahlyta in Vogel State Park offers a truly unique combination of natural beauty and opportunity for recreation.  The easy one-mile Lake Trahlyta trail circles the emerald colored lake and has a short deviation that leads to a calming, yet impressive waterfall.   The trail starts on the edge...
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  • Toccoa, Georgia

    Explore Toccoa Falls

    3.6
    0.2 mi
    Park at the welcome center of Toccoa College.The trailhead is behind the welcome center, starting at the gates to the right of the center. The trail takes you along a creek on a gravel trail. After a short distance, you will reach Toccoa Falls, where the water pours off the rocks from over 180 fe...
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  • Blairsville, Georgia

    Hike to Horsetrough Falls

    5.0
    0.4 mi / 10 ft gain
    To get to the trail head you will follow Wilks road five miles to Upper Chattahoochee River Campground. The five miles down the gravel road should be doable for a majority of cars as the gravel road is in good condition. Pretty much if you feel comfortable driving your car on a regular gravel roa...
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  • Sautee Nacoochee, Georgia

    Unicoi Gap and Indian Grave Gap Loop

    5.0
    5.04 mi / 1765 ft gain
    The Unicoi Gap and Indian Grave Gap Loop in Sautee Nacoochee, Georgia, is a moderately challenging hiking trail. Spanning approximately 5.04 miles, the loop offers a variety of terrain, including forested areas, open fields, and rocky paths. The trail is known for its two significant landmarks: U...
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  • Clarkesville, Georgia

    Panther Creek Falls

    3.7
    7.27 mi / 659 ft gain
    Park at the Panther Creek Recreation Area. The fee to park here is $4. There is extra parking alongside the road if the parking lot is full. The trail begins opposite the parking area, noted by a wooden sign. The trail gains elevation here and there with several drop-offs secured by cable cord f...
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  • Roswell, Georgia

    Hike to the Roswell Mill Ruins via Vickery Creek Trail

    4.4
    3.46 mi / 374 ft gain
    From Riverside Road, the Vickery Creek Trail takes you alongside the creek, then to an intersection where you will turn right. Switch onto Outer Loop Trail at the next intersection, and keep an eye out for marked junctions going forward. The trail will take you to the Roswell Mill waterfall, the...
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  • Hiawassee, Georgia

    Blue Hole and High Shoals Creek Falls

    4.8
    2.45 mi / 479 ft gain
    Located just a few miles north of Helen, Georgia is this hidden gem. The road that leads up to the starting point of the hike is a bit tricky to find so make sure you have your GPS to help a little, its a gravel road that winds up the mountain for a about a mile. The dirt trail winds down throug...
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  • Lakemont, Georgia

    Minnehaha Falls

    4.2
    0.39 mi / 98 ft gain
    Despite their beauty, not many hikers know about Minnehaha Falls. Even more shocking, these are some of the most accessible falls in all of North Georgia. Round trip, the hike to the falls will only take about a half a mile. Hikers can park along the side of the road at the trailhead. Follow the ...
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  • Sandy Springs, Georgia

    Hike through Big Trees Forest Preserve

    4.0
    2 mi / 120 ft gain
    Big Trees is truly a backyard beauty. The entrance connector brings you through to the beginning of the trails. If you are low on time, try out the Big Trees Loop (1/2 mile) which appears slightly before the major Backcountry trail system. Without going too deep into the preserve, you can still e...
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  • Stone Mountain, Georgia

    Stone Mountain

    4.2
    2.23 mi / 650 ft gain
    Stone Mountain sits on the outskirts of downtown Atlanta. Located in the center of Stone Mountain Park, this 1,686 ft. granite mound provides visitors with a challenging cardio workout and excellent panoramic views of the Atlanta metropolitan area.  Those who want to climb Stone Mountain should...
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