Take Jack's Knob Trail north from its Chattahoochee Gap intersection with the Appalachian Trail and after climbing almost 1500 feet you reach Brasstown Bald, the highest point in the state of Georgia. Now a trail, this was once the rough road built by the Civilian Conservation Corps to carry food and material to the men erecting the peak's first structure, a fire tower.

About Brasstown Bald

Brasstown Bald is unusual in that instead of being a tall mountain, it is a barely discernible rise in Wolfpen Ridge, which extends for miles to the north and south. When this was part of the Cherokee Nation, Brasstown Bald was called Enota(h). Brasstown was the name of a Cherokee settlement about five miles from the peak near what is known as Track Rock Gap.

About the park

Brasstown Bald is 4,784 feet above sea level, making it 326' taller than Blood Mountain, its neighbor to the southwest. The mountain, and almost 13,000 acres of land surrounding it are part of the Brasstown Bald Wilderness Area. Here you will find many varieties of plants and animals including wild turkey and bear.

Area Hiking

Brasstown Bald is a hiker's dream, with four great trails to chose from. Shortest and steepest is the trail to the Brasstown Bald Visitors Center at the top of the mountain. This trail climbs 1,000 feet in about 1/2 mile, but there are plenty of resting areas nearby. The Jack's Knob and Arkaquah Trails also start in the park, and head west and south, respectively. The Arkaquah (there are multiple spellings) is a typical high ridge trail while Jacks Knob is an access trail to the Appalachian Trail. Longest of the trails from the park is the Wagon Train Trail, heading north to Young Harris along the bed of Georgia Highway 66, which was laid out but never completed.

Visiting Brasstown Bald

Visitors who hike to the top of the mountain (or ride the bus) will be rewarded with a panoramic view of the nearby mountains and an excellent presentation on a wide variety of subjects including both the natural and cultural history of the area.

Roadside Georgia tips

Whatever season you choose to visit, be prepared for weather that cooler than Atlanta. It is advisable to bring a light jacket except in the hottest part of the summer. During the winter be sure to wear layered clothing with a heavy jacket. The site is opened year-round but the van does not run during the winter.

Location: On the border of Towns and Union County, east of Blairsville
Directions: Take the Georgia Mountain Parkway to GA Highway 75 South. Turn right and continue to GA 180. Turn left and continue west for 4 miles, to Highway 180 Spur. Follow this to Brasstown Bald
Additional information:
There is a small fee for parking.
Date added: November 16, 2003
Last update: January 26, 2005