Hike Gilmer County

If you are looking for a great hiking and/or camping experience you have to consider Gilmer County. With over forty percent (40%) of Gilmer County in public lands, we offer some of the best hiking trails and wilderness camping in the Blue Ridge Mountains. After all, both the Benton MacKaye & Appalachian Trails start (or finish) in Gilmer County, Georgia.

One of the best resources for information on the best hikes in Gilmer is Collin Carter at the North Georgia Mountain Outfitters. Collin is located at the Cartecay River Bridge, on Industrial Dr. at 1^st Ave. in Ellijay. The store is just across Industrial Blvd. from the Hardees Restaurant. Not only can you get “geared up” at North Georgia Mountain Outfitters but Collin also offers several guided (and unguided) hikes every month. Some are guided group hikes and include overnight trips.

Here is the schedule for the month of June:

· June 6^th the 3.5 mile loop at Amadahy Trail around Carter’s Lake. Leaving at 10am.

· June 13^tha work trip on the Benton MacKaye Trail.

· June 20 / 21^st an overnight backpacking trip, 5 – 7 miles each day on the Benton MacKaye Trail, from Bushy Head Gap to Dyer Gap.

· June 26^th from 6pm until 8pm Collin will hold a backpacking Clinic. Backpacking 101 is for those novices that want to know the basics of backpacking. “What to bring & where to put it!”

· June 27 / June 28^th an overnight backpacking trip in the Cohutta Wilderness along Conausaga River Trail.

Contact Collin at info@hikenorthgerogia.com to register for the hikes and obtain details on meeting locations & times. You can also register on her website at www.hikenorthgeorgia.com. There is plenty of trail information and links to popular hiking venues on the website also.

*Photo contributed by Collin Carter, Georgia Mountain Outfitters