hiking in georgia – Wandering the Gap

With fall in full swing and spooky season right around the corner, there’s no better time to embark on some creepy Georgia hikes. Georgia boasts many exceptional trails that are best enjoyed when the air is crisp and the leaves are changing colors. From a remote island with centuries-old ruins to iconic peaks harboring horrific backstories, these are the most creepy Georgia hikes to tackle this fall.

1. Blood Mountain

Creepy Georgia hikes, by travel blogger Wandering the Gap

The name alone makes Blood Mountain a must-visit destination this October. As the tallest peak on the Georgia section of the Appalachian Trail, Blood Mountain is an excellent adventure for both long-distance backpackers and day-trippers. There are several routes to the summit, but the 4-mile-long trek along the Byron Reece Trail is one of the most popular.

According to Cherokee mythology, the mountain was once home to Nunnehi, or spirit people. Some claim Blood Mountain earned its name from a 1700s-era battle between the Cherokee and Muscogee (Creek) Nations. Others, meanwhile, attribute it to the red lichen that grows atop the summit.

2. Raven Cliff Falls

For ultimate spooky vibes, tackle the hike to Raven Cliff Falls. The almost 5-mile-long trail is relatively moderate, with just a little over 600′ of elevation gain, making it a top choice during summer. However, I think Raven Cliff Falls shines in the fall, when conditions are rainy and overcast.

You’ll have to take extra care watching your steps to ensure you don’t slip on the mud or rocks, but the effort is well worth it. Raven Cliff Falls is a gorgeous spot to bundle up and spend a chilly afternoon.

3. Springer Mountain

Springer Mountain is one of Georgia’s most prolific hikes, thanks to its status as the southern terminus of the Appalachian Trail. Most hikers reach the summit via the 8-mile-long Appalachian Approach Trail, which begins at Amicalola Falls. Camping at Springer Mountain is an essential trip for any Georgia-based hiker or backpacker. If you tackle it during fall or winter, you’ll likely be treated to an eerie atmosphere when mist and frost cover the summit in the early morning hours.

4. Cumberland Island

In my opinion, Cumberland Island is among Georgia’s best-kept secrets. Located a 45-minute ferry ride off the coast of St. Marys, this picturesque area features pristine shorelines, thick forests, and herds of wild horses that you can explore on over 50 miles of trails. While the entire island has a mysterious air about it (in part because it’s undeveloped and incredibly remote), Dungeness Ruins in particular are a must-see for lovers of all things eerie and offbeat.

The crumbling structure was once a 35,000-square-foot mansion first built in the 1880s. Sadly, a fire broke out in 1959 that reduced the opulent home to nothing more than bricks and stones. The ruins are a fascinating slice of history and have an undeniably creepy vibe that’s worth experiencing in person.

5. Mount Yonah

Though Mount Yonah is a beautiful North Georgia hiking and rock-climbing spot, the legends surrounding it are incredibly tragic. According to Native American lore, it’s the site where two lovers, Nacoochee, a Cherokee woman, and Sautee, a Chickasaw man, met their final demise. Since Nacoochee and Sautee were members of opposing tribes, the elders forbade their love. When their relationship came to light, an angry mob chased the couple to the mountain, throwing Sautee off. Nacoochee was so heartbroken that she jumped from the summit to join him in the afterlife.

Despite this dark tale, Mount Yonah is a wonderful place to visit for a few hours or camp overnight. Hiking to the summit is a nice challenge, as the trail gains almost 1500′ of elevation over about two miles. The views from the top of Mount Yonah are spectacular, especially at sunrise and sunset.

I hope my guide to the most creepy Georgia hikes inspires you to tap into your spooky side this fall!

Hello all! Today I’m going to be sharing with you three of my favorite backpacking spots in Georgia. If you haven’t already seen the video, make sure to check it out here!
I think Georgia is a seriously underrated spot for backpackers and nature lovers of all kinds. The Southeast in general is beautiful and offers some amazing backpacking, kayaking, and rock-climbing areas. I count myself lucky that I got to grow up there, and I spent most of high school and college hiking and backpacking as often as I could. Without further ado, here are my three favorite backpacking trips in Georgia!

Appalachian Approach Trail

The AT Approach Trail begins at Amicalola Falls State Park and travels roughly 9 miles to the summit of Springer Mountain. Springer Mountain is the southern terminus of the Appalachian Trail, which runs 2,000+ miles in length from Georgia to Maine. Though the Approach Trail isn’t included in the official mileage of the AT, many section and thru-hikers embark on this trail to begin their hike. This is actually the first backpacking trip I ever went on with my family (check out that blog post here) and boy, was it quite the adventure.
I’ve returned to this trail several times since and had much more enjoyable experiences than my first impression (I would recommend visiting in the spring for mild, pleasant weather). If you choose to go out and back you’ll be hiking around 18 miles altogether, with 4,000’+ of elevation gain. I would consider this trail challenging, but a good introduction to backpacking as the trail itself is well-marked and fairly moderate. For a classic hike that gives you the perfect opportunity to test out your gear and comfort on the trail, the Approach Trail is a great way to go!

Woody Gap to Neels Gap

Woody Gap to Neels Gap is a roughly 10 mile section of the AT that begins near Dahlonega and ends near Blairsville. I personally love this section of the trail because it takes you through some pretty iconic AT features, including Preachers Rock and Blood Mountain. You’ll gain about 2,500′ of elevation which is definitely a challenge, but still doable for someone a bit newer to backpacking as long as you set realistic expectations and pace yourself.
Although you could definitely just do this section as a day hike, I recommend camping at the summit of Blood Mountain to catch some gorgeous sunset/rise views. Plus, the final push up to the summit is pretty tiring, so you’ll have definitely earned a solid break. Blood Mountain is one of my personal favorite mountains of all time, and hiking to the summit via from Woody Gap is a great way to add some mileage and gain a new perspective of the trail!

Cumberland Island

This one may seem a bit random, but hear me out: Cumberland Island is unlike any other backpacking spot in Georgia, and possibly the entire Southeast. Located off the coast of Georgia, this island is only accessible via ferry and offers a surprising amount of backpacking trails. The island itself has a really interesting history, and each area offers a unique and fascinating environment. You can see the ruins of Dungeness, a mansion that burnt down in the mid-1900s, and, if you’re lucky, catch a glimpse of some wildlife, which includes horses, pigs, and armadillos.
I believe we camped at the Stafford Beach Campground, located about three and a half miles from the ferry drop-off. While you don’t have to worry about too much elevation gain, the island does get quite hot, humid, and buggy, so you have to make sure you’re well-prepared. We returned back to the ferry via the beach, simply following the coastline until we reached the dock. It’s such a unique and cool experience to backpack on the coast, and Cumberland Island is one of the most beautiful beaches I’ve seen.