The best of the Blue Ridge Georgia mountains

From hikes, peaks, and waterfalls to scenic drives, neighboring towns, and even horseback riding. It was our second time in a quaint, remote A-frame cabin in Blairsville – just shy outside of Blue Ridge Georgia.

If you kept up with our trip here from last year, in September, we unexpectedly had to leave after Day 2 of our trip due to an approaching hurricane. So we decided to attempt another go the following year (in late October, this time).

[Check out the highlights from our first trip to Blue Ridge in 2017 (psst, we went white water rafting!)]

Yes, our pups came, too! They absolutely loved every minute. If you’re an avid pet traveler, snag the pet travel checklist.

We were excited because we not only extended our trip compared to the prior year but we also were told it would be the time to experience the change of seasons. We were really hoping to see the transition of the leaves changing!

It was also a bit cooler in late October than it was in early September. We woke to 36 degrees our first morning! Yet, we were blessed with drier and clearer weather compared to the year prior. And luckily we were able to enjoy the full 6 days we planned for! So there was a lot to do, much to see, and quite a bit to eat and drink during our stay in the Blue Ridge mountains. Get ready for a plethora of pictures!.

[Don’t feel like reading? Watch the video highlights from our second trip to Blue Ridge]

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7 things to do in blue ridge georgia [+ the best hikes!]

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wineries + breweries

There are a number of wineries and breweries in and around Blue Ridge. Last year we stopped by the Odom Winery (in Blairsville), and this time around we decided to try Bear Claw Winery and Vineyard. They had a great selection of wines, though for a little heftier price than Odom Winery, but you also got a bit more out of the deal. Plus, those views are killer!

Cin cin!

On our last full day (the one day it decided to be a misty, rainy day) we had to keep all activities mostly indoors. So we made a point to try out one of the more popular breweries in Blue Ridge, called Grumpy Old Men. If the name alone doesn’t catch you, the brews will.

I had one of the best tasting beers I will ever have – featuring notes of white chocolate. I mean, if that doesn’t spell out the perfect dessert beer. You could sit indoors or under a covered patio outside, and on this “grumpy” kind of weather, this brewery was filled to the brim with people.

Flights and beers were a fair and sweet deal, and if it wasn’t raining there were tons of games to play – corn hole, ring toss and more! 

downtown blue ridge

[RELATED READ: KEY LARGO’S MOST UNDERRATED LOCAL EATS]

Granted, a well-known tourist trap of northern Georgia, who comes to Blue Ridge and not take a peek downtown? It’s a perfect afternoon or evening stroll, a place to grab a quick bite to eat (especially dessert at the Three Sisters Fudge), or window shop.

On the weekends, there’s usually even a festival going on. We were sad to have missed the art show one Saturday (the day we had to leave).

brasstown bald

We decided to go here on a whim, and luckily we did. This is the highest Georgia peak – where on a clear day you can see Atlanta’s skyline in the distance. You also see in all directions from North Carolina and Tennessee from the top.

The hike to the top (if you choose to forgo the bus) is honestly no joke. I made the mistake of wearing boots for this steep uphill climb – thinking, what the heck, it’s a paved trail less than 1/2 a mile. A rather short distance, but this hike was steep – literally!

Although, well worth it for these views!

horseback riding

With so many places to go horseback riding in North Georgia, it was a bit daunting to pick just one. We went with A Step Above Stables, and it was a great choice since not having ridden a horse in over 10 years. I believe our guide’s name was Brandon, and he was great!

We took the 1 hour walk and canter tour, which went through the mountainside. The horses are very well trained and gentle – perfect for those with little to no experience whatsoever. Let’s just say… after that ride, I definitely felt older!

scenic highway

Word to the wise: the Blue Ridge Parkway is NOT anywhere near actual Blue Ridge. The beginning of this parkway is more than an hour north (in North Carolina) from Blue Ridge. With that disappointment, we found a few other scenic drives in and around Blue Ridge that are worth checking out.

Route 180, toward Brasstown Bald is enough of a scenic drive on its own. The beautiful windy roads along the mountainside sparks for some killer views, though there are no stopping points. It’s a drive worth taking if you are heading up to Brasstown Bald.

The Richard B. Russell Scenic Highway connects to Helen, Georgia, which is super convenient if you are heading to and from that direction. It’s about a 30-40 minute drive, with a few picturesque stops along the way. You even pass the Appalachian National Scenic Trail.

day trip to helen

There was a waterfall we had our sights on when planning our trip to Blue Ridge. It was located in Helen, Georgia, so we decided to make a day-trip to explore the Bavarian Village as well as visit Anna Ruby Falls. This German-style, Christmas-themed village is enough alone to make you want to stay all day. The streets are lined with shops, eateries, bakeries, pubs and Christmas stores!

We stopped by Hofer’s for breakfast, after a recommendation from my mother-in-law when she visited. Dining in was nothing but a crawl space completely decked out with a German appeal, but it was the cutest little breakfast nook in this already tiny town. There was almost quite literally a line out the door when we arrived. It consisted of also a shop, deli and a bakery – where I snagged a bag of authentic German espresso (obviously couldn’t resist).

Needless to say, we’re considering Helen as our next stay in the mountains. 

[RELATED READ: 30+ VACATION HOT SPOTS IN THE FLORIDA KEYS]

the best hikes + waterfalls

Here is most of what we came for – the beautiful falls and hiking trails! Our pups joined us for most of these outdoor adventures – thankfully we were blessed with near perfect weather each and every time. Every trail and waterfall is within an hour’s driving distance from Blue Ridge, and there are so many to choose from that we simply had to narrow down to which was the most important to check off our list.

TIP: it’s important to bring cash with you to every National and State Park, as well as any trail you plan on exploring. Some require a paid parking pass (which, if you’re good Samaritans then pay the small fee – it goes towards the park upkeep, anyhow). We noticed many attempted to get away with not dishing out the $2 they require you to slip through the envelope box on premises.

Do your part – bring cash! 

Helton creek falls

We found this gem last year, on our two-day adventure to Blue Ridge that had been cut short. Obviously, it was that breathtaking, we had to come back a second time around. The hike is quite short (less than a mile in total), and there are two parts to the falls worth checking out from the bottom and the top.

This stop is actually free to walk and park, unless you are actually admitting into Vogel State Park – yay!

Desoto falls

This waterfall has two parts in this park, which means two different trails. One is much more difficult, shorter but with steep inclines and sharp turns. The other is smoother, longer and has a crazy good view of the falls once you make it there. We would definitely make the trip to come back to this one a second time. All in all, if you did both trails you walked no more than 1 1/2 miles.

The park does require a $2 entrance fee – so bring cash!

Anna ruby falls

The big one – thus far! This park is obviously popular (no doubt), but the hike to the actual falls is pretty intense, above all the other hikes we did. The trail is paved, but does have areas with steep incline. Both ways the trail is about a mile, but well worth it once you get to the beautiful result.

This park does require you to pay at a pay station – bring cash!

Nottley dam trails

We found a cluster of trails near our cabin in Blairsville. They run along the Nottley Dam, which offers some pretty spectacular views along the river. By cluster, I mean it is like a spider web of trails inside one big loop. You decide how far you want to hike, which is nice if you want to walk a mile, or a quarter of a mile.

Of course, we hike off the beaten path a bit and alongside the river instead of the actual trails to get stunning pictures like these.

Hiking the Nottley Dam is free to enjoy to the public!

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