Hiking near Helen

Find a great hike near Helen, Georgia! Our favorite hikes near this Bavarian alpine town explore view-packed summits on the Appalachian Trail, lush creek valleys, and tumbling waterfalls.

Helen is one of North Georgia’s top destinations, well loved for its alpine Bavarian downtown, fantastic dining and great shopping. But if you’ve only visited the town for its well-loved Oktoberfest and German fare, you’re missing out: it’s central to Georgia’s best hiking trails, and makes for a great basecamp for a North Georgia adventure! Hike the Appalachian Trail at nearby Unicoi Gap to Tray Mountain, or explore the beautiful Dukes Creek Falls and Raven Cliff Falls just north of town. Or, chase down an adventure on one of our favorite hikes near Helen:

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  Helen, GA adventure guide: top outdoor things to do in Georgia’s German town

  Find a great outdoor adventure in North Georgia’s German alpine village. Plan a great Helen getaway with our top places to stay and things to do: hike, bike, zip line, camp, and paddle. And relax in a cozy cabin, and enjoy some great dining options, too.

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  Smith Creek Trail to Anna Ruby Falls

  Hike a scenic back route to Anna Ruby Falls, hiking the Smith Creek Trail from Unicoi State Park and following a historic gold mining ditch to Anna Ruby’s stunning double cascades.

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  Preachers Rock on the Appalachian Trail

  Hike to the view-packed summit of Preachers Rock on the Appalachian Trail, climbing from beautiful trailhead views at North Georgia’s Woody Gap.

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  Smithgall Woods State Park: our favorite hikes

  Explore beautiful forest, tumbling waterfalls, gold mines, and the rocky, scenic creek bed of Dukes Creek at Smithgall Woods State Park near Helen. Follow our favorite hikes at the park: the Martin’s Mine Trail, Cathy Ellis Waterfall Trail, Ash Creek Trail and the Smithgall Wetland Loop.

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  Arkaquah Trail: hiking Brasstown Bald to Track Rock Gap

  Hike the Arkaquah Trail from Brasstown Bald, Georgia’s highest summit, and descend to Track Rock Gap to view ancient Native American petroglyphs on this difficult 11-mile round trip hike.

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  Tray Mountain: hiking the Appalachian Trail from Unicoi Gap

  Hike to Tray Mountain from Unicoi Gap on the Appalachian Trail, climbing to summit views at Rocky Mountain, and exploring a lush North Georgia forest filled with wildflowers and mountain laurel.

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  Tray Mountain: hiking the Appalachian Trail from Indian Grave Gap

  Hike to stunning views from Tray Mountain on this classic Georgia stretch of the Appalachian Trail,hiking from Indian Grave Gap through a lush, mossy forest filled with rhododendron.

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  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.

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  Byron Reece Trail at Neels Gap

  Hike the Byron Reece Trail at Neels Gap through a beautiful, mossy, stream-filled forest on the lower elevations of Blood Mountain.

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  Vogel State Park to Blood Mountain on the Coosa Backcountry Trail

  Hike the Coosa Backcountry Trail and the Duncan Ridge Trail at Georgia’s Vogel State Park, climbing to beautiful vistas on the Blood Mountain summit.

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