Tag Archives: hiking

Best North Georgia Mountain Hikes: High Shoals Falls Trail

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Looking for a place to get away from it all and cool off from the blazing summer heat? The North Georgia mountains have you covered (literally, with plenty of shade) and abundant opportunities to cool down in the meandering creeks and majestic waterfalls. So pack your water sandals or your hiking boots and head out to one of our favorite hikes: High Shoals Falls. (And if this hike isn’t what you’re looking for, take a peek at our hiking series: Smith Creek Trail, Mount Yonah Trail, Raven Cliff Falls, Panther Creek Trail). Location High Shoals Falls Trail is just north … Continue reading →

Best North Georgia Mountain Hikes: Panther Creek Trail

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There’s no question that one of the big draws to the North Georgia Mountains is the exceptional hiking. Between the gorgeous rolling hills, the rich vegetation, the babbling brooks, the enchanting waterfalls, and the indescribable away-from-it-all feeling you get when you venture deep into the north Georgia forests, it doesn’t take much to see why folks flock to our neck of the woods. We are on part four of our best North Georgia Mountain hikes this week, and today we are going to talk about Panther Creek Trail. For the other entries into this series, take a look at our … Continue reading →

Best North Georgia Mountain Hikes: Smith Creek Trail

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Remember to pack your hiking boots! There are so many stellar hikes in the North Georgia Mountains that it’s hard to narrow it down to just a few of the very best. So we’re going to do a series of posts highlighting our favorite spots and what makes them worthy of your time. This week, we’ll start with one closest to Lucille’s Mountain Top Inn: Smith Creek Trail. Location The Smith Creek Trail is one of several trails in Unicoi State Park, located at 1788 Highway 356, Helen, GA 30545. It’s an out-and-back trail that covers 8.4 miles and is … Continue reading →

5 Perfect Spots to Enjoy Fall Leaves in the North Georgia Mountains

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It’s that time of year again! That’s right–fall is just around the corner, and that means we are booking up fast for folks who are eager to enjoy the exquisite beauty of the North Georgia mountains during this season. Before you know it, you’ll be putting on your fuzzy flannels, stepping into your warm boots, and waiting to hear the crisp crunch of leaves under your feet.  The north Georgia mountains are a treasure trove of beauty in the fall. It seems like every corner you turn, you can find a new shade of red or orange or yellow. The … Continue reading →

Bluegrass & BBQ Festival in the North Georgia Mountains

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Make history by joining the Smithgall Woods State Park friends group as they host “Cabin Fever: Bluegrass & BBQ Festival” along Duke’s creek. On October 5, 2019, from 10am to 4pm, the park will feature live bluegrass bands, local artisans and their wares, food vendors, and more!  The goal of this event is to raise money for the state park to be able to dismantle and relocate a chestnut log cabin to their property. This cabin will be located near the Visitor’s Center and will be used for educational programming. Admission is $10 per vehicle, and additional donations are appreciated … Continue reading →

Find Idyllic Picnic Spots in North Georgia Mountains

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If you want to take full advantage of the gorgeous scenery up here in Northeast Georgia—and enjoy one of the most scenic lunch settings anywhere—pack a picnic and head out to a mountaintop or lake. You don’t even have to go any further than out our back door! While Lucille’s Mountaintop Inn & Spa offers several choice settings for picnics, you’ll find many more in and our State Parks and forests. Check with us at the Inn for where to get picnic fixings, then head out to one of these top spots. Just outside of Helen, Georgia, Smithgall Woods has … Continue reading →

We Have a Secret…Fall Weekdays are a Great Time to Visit the Mountains of North Georgia

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Lucille’s Backyard Early November Do you find yourself sitting behind your desk at work, looking out the window at the gorgeous fall weather?  Then take a break and head to the mountains of North Georgia!  Weekdays are a great time to take in all the scenery and outdoor activities of the area without the traffic of the weekends.  A scenic drive through our mountains with a few stops at Sautee Nacoochee’s unique local shops, wine tasting rooms or fine local dining will make any weekday feel like a vacation. There’s plenty to see and do during the week and the pace is slow and easy. During October and … Continue reading →

Autumn Colors, Events and Outdoor Activities Cover the Mountains of North Georgia

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The mountains of North Georgia are beautiful year round, but Fall foliage season has got to be the most spectacular, when the high color of the leaves and the crisp temperatures combine to bring out the best the area has to offer.  Along with a spectacle of autumn colors comes an abundance of outdoor activities and festivals.  It’s the perfect time for hiking, horseback riding, zip lining, biking, canoeing, or carriage rides through a picturesque valley. Or, if you prefer the arts, there’s always local art within reach. If you want to explore the thriving wineries of the region, the wet weather this season has pushed … Continue reading →

See Mountain Wildflowers in Bloom this Spring in North Georgia

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Spring is here and over the next several months the native wildflowers of the Blue Ridge Mountains will be blooming along the trails and streams of North Georgia, producing a spectrum of vivid colors against a lush green background.  The warm, sunny days of early to mid Spring are a great time to hike the mountain trails of Unicoi State Park or one of the many trails in the Chattahoochee National Forrest to observe this wonderful show of nature.    While autumn is a favorite time of year for many people to visit the mountains, with its blaze of orange and yellow splashed across distant peaks, others prefer observing the beauty of Spring up close along wooded mountain trails.  Even if you are a beginning hiker and … Continue reading →