Looking for an easy hike to gorgeous summit views displaying breathtaking fall color? Then put on your hiking boots and head out to Brasstown Bald in beautiful Blairsville, Georgia.
We promise — you won’t be disappointed!
The colors peak at Brasstown Bald well before other parts of North Georgia due to its extraordinary height. At 4,784 feet above sea level, this is the highest point in Georgia, and it basically has its own micro-climate — similar to Massachusetts.
Located near Blairsville, Young Harris, and Hiawassee — partly in both Towns and Union counties — it’s the perfect place to stop for great views. Here’s everything you can expect during your epic fall summit hike to Brasstown Bald.
HIKE OR SHUTTLE?
The Visitor Center and Day Use Area is $8 per person, for those 16+. The fee includes the entrance fee and shuttle fee. After hours, it’s $5 per person, ages 16+. Kids 15 and under are free.
As mentioned above, your entrance fee includes a shuttle fee — whether you decide to take it or not. A shuttle will take you from the parking lot up to the Brasstown Bald Visitor Center, where you’ll find 360-degree views that can’t be beat.
If you want to explore more, consider skipping the shuttle and hiking the Brasstown Bald Trail, a 0.6-mile paved trail to the top. Now, 0.6 miles doesn’t sound tough, but it’s steep, so take your time and enjoy the fall color.
When we visited Brasstown Bald, we chose to hike up, and we found it to be really rewarding. There are no vista views as you climb — you’re simply enjoying the trees along the way — but I would definitely do it again. It’s a really fun hike, and the the reward was great, making it really fun for our kids.
Read More: Blairsville Ga: A Stunning Mountain Town Filled With Family Adventure
BRASSTOWN BALD
The views! From the observation deck, located underneath an old fire lookout tower, you can see Georgia, Tennessee, North Carolina, and South Carolina on a clear day. Brasstown Bald is surrounded by the beautiful colors of the Chattahoochee and Oconee National Forests. You can even see the summit of Blood Mountain from here — the highest summit of the Appalachian Trail in Georgia.
The Visitor Center is also located here — where you will find a great little museum, a short movie, and restrooms.
The museum, just underneath the observation deck, is where you can learn all about how truly unique Brasstown Bald is. My kids loved doing the scavenger hunt here, and getting a cute little prize at the end. It was a great way to sneak some learning in there.
Restrooms and a gift shop are located back down at the base near the parking lot. Picnic tables are also located on the edges of the parking lot, so you can pack a lunch and enjoy the great views.
MORE BRASSTOWN BALD INFORMATION
Looking to hike here…the long way? Consider hiking the 13.1-mile Wagon Train Trail, which takes you from Brasstown Bald to Young Harris. We haven’t done this one, but we hear it’s popular with Young Harris College students.
And if you don’t want even want to leave your house at all?! These webcams show you the views from Georgia’s tallest mountain. (But we highly recommend making the trip!)
WHERE TO STAY NEAR BRASSTOWN BALD
MORE INFORMATION FOR YOUR FALL LEAF PEEPING ADVENTURES
- YOUR NORTH GEORGIA VACATION
- FALL FESTIVALS: The 55+ Best Fall Festivals In Georgia That You’ll Love
- FALL COLORS: : Fall Colors in GA: When & Where to See The Leaves
- STATE PARKS: 13 Best Georgia State Parks For Gorgeous Fall Leaf Color
- FALL IN THE N GA MTNS: 6 Incredible Ways To Enjoy Fall In The Georgia Mountains
- BRSR: Spring And Fall Delight On The Blue Ridge Scenic Railway
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