Mountains Near Helen: Your Guide To The High Points of North Georgia
Surrounding yourself with a gorgeous mountain range and the beauty of the outdoors can naturally send your body into relaxation mode. Most mountains in Georgia are a short distance from the Helen area. Taking some time out from your busy schedule to visit the Blue Ridge Mountains, Lookout Mountain, or the Great Smokey Mountains is a stress-relieving and refreshing option for a getaway.
Mountains can represent obstacles we have to conquer or the pinnacle of success. Mountain ranges are revered by poets and artists for their part in nature’s panorama and by outdoor enthusiasts ready to tackle a challenge. The north Georgia mountains represent the spirit of adventure to every man and woman seeking escape from the chaos of modern society.
The Blue Ridge Mountains
The Blue Ridge Mountains are approximately 90 miles north of Atlanta, Georgia, and include 106,000 acres of beauty in the Chattahoochee National Forest. Georgia cabins and houses are available for rent. Reservations can also be made at one of many bed and breakfasts, hotels, or cabin rentals in the area. Or if you prefer, there are campgrounds for your RV or tent camping. During the day the Blue Ridge Mountains have many scenic spots available for hiking, horseback riding, or fishing. The Blue Ridge Mountains are known as the Trout Fishing Capital of the State of Georgia. You can whitewater raft on the Ocoee River or pick berries when they are in season at the Mercier Family Orchard. If the weather isn’t picture-perfect, you can venture into the towns nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Step into one of the Several art galleries, shops, or antique malls located in Blue Ridge. The small-town atmosphere of Blue Ridge makes this experience one you will long remember!
Lookout Mountain
Lookout Mountain plays an important role in Civil War history. The mountain is located on the northwest corner of Georgia at the southernmost part of the Cumberland Plateau in Walker County, Georgia. Touching the three states of Georgia, Alabama, and Tennessee, the mountain was the site of the Battle of Lookout Mountain on November 24, 1863, when the Union Army defeated Confederate forces opening a gateway to the South.
When you visit you’ll discover beautiful attractions such as Rock City with massive rock formations and gardens. The Enchanted Trails provide a breathtaking hiking experience. Ruby Falls is the United State’s highest underground waterfall, and it includes the Lookout Mountain Tower.
Walker County is small and offers its guests a quaint source of relaxation. St. John’s restaurant is the county’s most acclaimed dining spot where you can enjoy American cuisine in an elegant atmosphere.
The Great Smoky Mountains
The Great Smoky Mountains are known for their diverse plant and animal life and the beauty of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Camping, fishing, and the 800 miles of hiking trails are popular activities in America’s most visited national park. There is plenty to see and enjoy alone or as part of a guided tour. This is a great spot to enjoy some southern country cooking. There are many restaurants located in this region. J. Arthur’s offers a menu of fresh fish and prime rib and is said to be the best restaurant in the area.
Brasstown Bald is the Tallest Mountain in the State
From the top of Brasstown Bald, you can view four states! Georgia, Tennessee, North Carolina, and South Carolina can be seen, and on bright days you can even get a three-hundred-sixty-degree view of Atlanta. Before the coming of the Europeans, the Cherokee Indians carved petroglyphs into three soapstone boulders at what is now known as the Track Rock Archeological Site. The archeology and the incredible view from the top of Brasstown Bald make it a must-see of mountains in Georgia.
Stone Mountain Has the Largest Relief Sculpture in the World
Stone Mountain was formed three hundred and fifty million years ago by violent geological folding. With an elevation of 1,683 feet, Stone Mountain can be spotted from as far away as Mount Yonah or Kennesaw Mountain. Four hundred feet up on the mountain’s north face is the Confederate Memorial Carving depicting General Robert E. Lee and Thomas J. “Stonewall” Jackson with President Jefferson Davis. The carving that stands 90 feet high and 190 feet wide was completed on March 3, 1972. It is a must-see attraction for Georgia visitors.
Where Did Those Mountains Come From?
Like most mountain ranges, the mountains in Georgia are a result of mountain-building processes that occurred more than five hundred million years ago. Those processes include rock-folding, faulting, upward thrusting, and a tectonic collision of the plates between the North American and African continents. The Appalachian Mountains extend from the island of Newfoundland down through most of the northeast states and then pass through north Georgia to central Alabama. The mountains are subdivided into several ranges including the Blue Ridge chain that extends from Pennsylvania to Georgia. The Cherokee Indians living in the mountains in Georgia called them Sah-ka-na-ga or the “Great Blue Hills of God.” Large portions of the north Georgia mountains are preserved in the area of the Chattahoochee National Forest. The Blue Ridge is Georgia’s highest mountain range. Other mountains in Georgia include the Cohuttas, the Unakas, and the Cumberland Plateau which are separated from the Blue Ridge mountains by the Hightower Jasper Ridges and the McCaysville Basin.
So when you are considering a visit to the Georgia mountains check out the Blue Ridge Mountains, Lookout Mountain, The Great Smoky Mountains, Brasstown Bald, and Stone Mountain. They will give you and your family an unforgettable getaway providing enjoyment and entertainment with unsurpassed relaxation and rejuvenation.
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We’d love to hear about your visits, experiences and favorite high-points in Georgia. Do you have a favorite?
