Springer Mountain is one of Georgia’s most popular hiking destinations. Springer’s rocky slopes give way to beautiful views of the surrounding Blue Ridge Mountain range, and the Appalachian Trail departs from the summit on a 2200+ mile backpacking trek to Mount Katahdin in Maine. On the summit, the AT’s southern end is commemorated by a bronze plaque near the trail’s southernmost white blaze, and a nearby metal vault holds a trail log signed by the trail’s thru-hikers.
Rising 3,780 feet above sea level, Springer Mountain rises amidst the rolling, southernmost mountains of the Blue Ridge Mountain chain. Springer has been the southernmost start of the Appalachian Trail since 1959, when the AT’s final blaze was relocated from nearby Mount Oglethorpe. The mountain’s summit is accessible by a number of routes, including a moderately short one mile trek from the Springer Mountain parking area, and a considerably longer hike on the Appalachian Approach Trail from nearby Amicalola Falls State Park.
Springer Mountain: our favorite hiking trails and backpacking adventures
These are our favorite Springer Mountain hikes, listed in order of increasing length and difficulty. No matter the route to the Springer Mountain summit, the destination is rewarding, with beautiful long-range views of the surrounding rolling Appalachians.
Appalachian Trail
Springer Mountain on the Appalachian Trail
2 MILES
Hike from the Springer Mountain trailhead to the mountain’s summit, cresting to visit the southernmost blaze of the Appalachian Trail.
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Appalachian Trail & Benton MacKaye Trail
Springer Mountain Loop on the AT & BMT
5.1 MILES
Hike to incredible views from overlooks at the Springer Mountain summit and the nearby Ball Mountain peak, looping on the Appalachian Trail and Benton MacKaye Trails.
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Appalachian Trail
Three Forks to Springer Mountain
8.6 Miles
Hike the Appalachian Trail south from the lush, creek-filled Three Forks valley, ascending over 1500 feet to the Springer Mountain summit.
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Hike Inn Trail
Amicalola Falls to the Len Foote Hike Inn
9.8 MILES
Hike from the immense waterfall at Amicalola Falls to the eco-friendly Len Foote Hike Inn, staying overnight (reservations required) to Hike the Springer Mountain summit via the Approach Trail.
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Amicalola Falls to Springer Mountain
Appalachian Approach Trail
15.6 MILES
Backpack the Appalachian Trail Approach Trail from Georgia’s Amicalola Falls State Park to Springer Mountain, rolling elevation over peaks and through rhododendron-filled valleys.
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Our favorite hiking gear
What to pack for a Springer Mountain hiking adventure?
Ready to hit the trail, but wondering what to pack? Our hiking gear list features our favorite, trail-tested hiking gear for day hikes on local trails and in the Georgia backcountry. We print and stitch our Atlanta Trails shirts and hats locally in Atlanta and Asheville, and they’re our favorite for trail adventures all over the South. And no matter what you pack in, pack it all back out. Please leave no trace and help preserve Georgia’s beauty.
OUR HIKING GEAR LIST
Please Remember
Always leave no trace, pack out everything you pack in, and if you see trash, pick it up and pack it out.
Stay on the marked trail, tell someone where you're going, pack safety and wayfinding essentials, and don't rely on a mobile phone to find your way. Please always practice good trail etiquette. And before you go, always check the trailhead kiosk, official maps, and the park or ranger office for notices of changed routes, trail closures, safety information, and restrictions.