Unicoi Gap to Rocky Mountain on the Appalachian Trail

Hike a challenging and scenic adventure Appalachian Trail in Georgia, climbing from Unicoi Gap to Rocky Mountain, dropping into the wildflower-filled Indian Grave Gap and looping back to the trailhead on the Rocky Mountain Trail.

It’s no wonder that the day hike from Unicoi Gap is one of the most popular routes on the Appalachian Trail in Georgia. This adventure is located just off a paved highway just south of Hiawassee, and it scores some seriously spectacular summit views along the way. It scores a heart-pounding 1000-foot climb to Rocky Mountain, one of the most difficult stretches on the A.T. in our state. It catches stunning views from the mountain’s summit and descends to the scenic Indian Grave Gap. And then it explores a lush forest and a small waterfall before looping back to Unicoi Gap on the Rocky Mountain Trail. This is definitely one great hike!

Hike the Appalachian Trail from Unicoi Gap to stunning views from the Rocky Mountain summit

It’s a great cardio workout, too, with an extended, pulse-raising climb through rocky terrain. The summit offers some great campsites just off the trail. And the forest is simply beautiful, filled with fern, moss, wildflowers and trickling creeks. It’s easily one of our favorite A.T. day hikes in Georgia.

Appalachian Trail and Rocky Mountain Trail loop: the hike

The adventure begins at the Unicoi Gap trailhead just south of Hiawassee (view maps and driving directions). At the trailhead, a large boulder with a bronze plaque commemorates the A.T. The route follows the AT east, climbing wooden stairs to enter a boulder-filled, rocky forest. The trail begins a steady climb of Rocky Mountain’s western slope, climbing through a mossy forest dappled with sunlight and crossing several small, trickling springs.

The trail switches back through thickets of rhododendron and passes a small campsite at just over a half-mile. Through-the-tree views of the surrounding mountains emerge, including the recognizable summit of Yonah Mountain. Nearing the summit, the white-blazed Appalachian Trail passes an intersection with the blue-blazed Rocky Mountain Trail, the return route for this loop hike.

The hike follows the Appalachian Trail southbound, making a final climb to the mountain’s rounded peak. Large slabs of lichen-crusted rock speckle the forest floor and the canopy begins to thin as the trail climbs. The route passes a campsite at 1.3 miles just before the summit, and several more trailside campsites with stone fire rings dot the mountain’s peak.

The hike follows the AT across the mountain’s summit, catching photo-worthy, expansive views of the surrounding mountains from several broad rock outcroppings. With the major ascent finished, the rocky mountain summit is a great place to take a break and soak in the mountainous beauty.

The trail begins a nearly continuous descent to Indian Grave Gap. The hike drops through a fern-filled forest, descending rustic stone and wood stairs and ducking through gnarly-branched mountain laurel tunnels. The hike meets the gravel-paved Indian Grave Gap Road at 2.5 miles, having descended over 850 feet from the Rocky Mountain summit. (From the gap, the Appalachian Trail crosses the gravel road, ascending through a tunnel of mountain laurel and trailing to Tray Mountain. A side trail departs to the southwest, descending to the Andrews Cove Campground.)

This hike turns north from the gap, following sporadic blue blazes on the gravel Indian Grave Gap Road. Wildflowers flank the trail in warm-weather months, stretching high to reach the sunlight below the tall tree canopy.

The hike rolls elevation on the blue-blazed road before reaching the turnoff to the Rocky Mountain Trail at just over three miles. The route turns west, veering from the road and following the trail’s blue blazes into the forest. The trail crosses several small streams, making a steady climb of Rocky Mountain’s middle elevations in a forest filled with fern, deciduous trees, and leafy underbrush.

The trail peaks at 4.25 miles, reaching a small campsite and a junction with the Appalachian Trail. From the junction, this hike follows the AT westbound, descending through the forest to Unicoi Gap and completing the adventure at just over five miles.

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More Appalachian Trail adventures at Unicoi Gap

Just across the highway, the Appalachian Trail summits Blue Mountain and hikes to Chattachooee Gap, visiting the Blue Mountain shelter, trailing through a fern and wildflower-filled forest and visiting the headwaters of the Chattahoochee River.

After the Adventure

Catch your breath and throw out some high fives. You’ve just completed one of the most challenging sections of the AT in Georgia! As a reward, head into Hiawassee for a frosty pint of craft beer and some tacos at Hiawassee Brew. And after you’ve relaxed and recharged, stop by our hiking outfitter shop, Trailful Outdoor Co. to say hello. We sock our favorite hiking and backpacking gear and apparel, including Marmot, Merrell, Oboz, ENO, Osprey, KUHL, NEMO, and many more. We also carry our line of Atlanta Trails hats, shirts, hoodies, and stickers as well as locally made gifts and goods, trail maps, and local guide and nature books. We’d love to see you!

This map shows our approximate route while exploring this trail, but does not replace an official trail map. Please refer to the official trail map for the most current and accurate route.