While fall is slowly turning into winter out here in Colorado, the season is still in full swing down in Georgia and other areas of the Southeast. As a born-and-raised Georgia peach I’ve gone on many fall hikes throughout the state, and these are some of the best for leaf-peeping and enjoying the season!

Blood Mountain

Blood Mountain isn’t just one of the best fall hikes in Georgia, it’s also one of my favorite hikes of all time! The most common route to the summit begins on the Byron Reece Trail before connecting with the Appalachian Trail. You’ll reach the summit after about 2.2 miles of hiking and will be treated to sweeping views of the Appalachian Mountains. Fun fact: Blood Mountain is the highest point of the AT in Georgia!

Raven Cliff Falls

Raven Cliff Falls is a great Georgia fall hike if you’re looking for something that doesn’t involve a lot of elevation gain. The hike is a bit longer than Blood Mountain at almost 6 miles roundtrip, but it’s definitely worth the extra distance. You’ll meander through the forest alongside a creek until reaching the waterfall that the trail is named for. Be careful exploring because the rocks will be slippery!

Appalachian Approach Trail

For those seeking an overnight fall hiking adventure, the Appalachian Approach Trail is the perfect option. This trail kills two birds with one stone, as you’ll get to experience the beautiful Amicalola Falls as well as the summit of Springer Mountain. This hike is about 18 miles out-and-back so while you could do it in a day, it’s much more enjoyable as an overnight backpacking trip.

Mount Yonah

Mount Yonah is one of the more challenging hikes on this list of the best Georgia fall hikes, though it’s definitely worth the effort. Mount Yonah is popular for not only hiking but also rock-climbing, and the entire mountain is incredibly picturesque when the leaves are changing. This is another fall hike in Georgia that offers spectacular views from the summit, which you’ll reach after about 2.2 miles of hiking.

Rabun Bald

Rabun Bald is, in my opinion, one of the most underrated hikes in Georgia. At only 3.5 miles roundtrip, this hike is relatively short but still decently challenging with over 1000′ of elevation gain. This is one of the few Georgia hikes that offers 360-degree views from the summit, and they are simply breathtaking.

What are your favorite fall hikes in Georgia? Let me know in the comments!