Ridge Line Vistas: Hiking the Arkaquah Trail

Review of a 7.4 mile hike along the Arkaquah Trail from Brasstown Bald, offering gorgeous views along one of our favorite hikes in North Georgia.

Offering some of the most picturesque views of any hike in Georgia, the Arkaquah Trail is a moderate to strenuous trail that lists near the top of our favorite hikes in North Georgia.  Starting at Brasstown Bald and running down (and then on return, up) a ridge through the Brasstown Wilderness along Locust Log Ridge, this trail offers a constant change of scenery, flora and spectacular views as it winds through the Northern section of the Chattachoochee National Forest.

This hike travels a total of 7.4 miles out and back –  most of the “out” portion of the trip extends level or downhill, providing a moderately challenging uphill climb for the first half of the “and back” half of the hike.

From the trailhead, the hike begins in a dense section of rhododendron – and the flattest part of the hike.

This lesser-travelled trail rises slightly to the ridgeline – and as the rhododendron begins to clear – starts to offer amazing views of blue mountain vistas on both sides of the trail.  Running a ridge line for much of the 3.7 miles out and back, the trail is often the highest point for many miles, with the edges of the ridge dropping sharply to your left and right as you hike along.

Ash and birch trees overtake the rhododendron as the vistas start to show on the left and right sides of the trail.

Rocky outcrops dot the entire trail, providing excellent viewing platforms for the wondrous views on the hike.  Closing in on 1.5 miles from the trailhead, the trail travels through an interesting slice in rock just several feet wide before winding behind a huge overhanging ledge of granite.

Beginning around 2 miles from the trailhead, the ash, cherry and birch begin to subside to make way for more dense thickets of rhododendron.

\

The trail drops sharply here, and the dense forest becomes dark as the sunlight struggles to make its way through the dense foliage.

The trail drops through a moderately flat section of forest opening back up to oak and coniferous trees in a high canopy.  Pass an interesting, white cube of granite that sits just off the trail and suggests a resting point before beginning the upcoming ascent of the ridgeline.  Ascend to another high point of the trail at 3.7 miles and enjoy the spectacular vistas from the top on top of exposed rock before turning and beginning the trek back to the trailhead.

While some sections of the hike out were ascents, most descended – a  fact you’ll start to notice as much of the first half of the return hike is sharply uphill.  Be sure, though, to take time to admire the ridgeline views from the return direction, as you’ll notice a different perspective to the views as well as additional vantage points to take in the vistas.

Getting there: from the Brasstown Bald parking area, take the paved path to the left – away from the gift shop and shuttle busses and towards the restrooms – to find the Arkaquah Trail departing from the paved path.

Returning to Atlanta from the hike, you’ll pass FR 44 to your right just after passing the Appalachian Trail on GA 75;  if you’d like to make a weekend of the Arkaquah Trail, see our review of the excellent primitive camping along FR 44 – one of our favorites in the Chattahoochee National Forest.

• Related Posts
• Bookmark
• Tags