Getting Oriented
The Georgia Traverse runs east to west across North Georgia, from Burrells Ford Road on the Chattooga River at the South Carolina line to Johnson Cemetery Road near the Alabama border on the edge of John's Mountain Wildlife Management Area. David Giguere spent roughly a decade connecting the county, state, and Forest Service roads that make up the route, and the Chattahoochee, Nantahala, Sumter, and Cherokee National Forests all cover stretches of it. Rome, near the western end, is the usual supply stop before or after a run; Blairsville, Dillard, and Helen sit along or just off the route through the middle section.
Trail Overview
Of the route's 390 miles, 226 run unpaved on gravel and dirt Forest Service and county roads, with the rest on paved connectors; more than 40% of the paved mileage sits west of the Cohutta and Big Frog Wilderness loop. The grading runs mostly easy to moderate, rated for stock 4WD SUVs and trucks on all-terrain tires at 10 to 20 mph on the dirt sections. Charlie's Creek Road is the standout technical stretch, with rutted grades and a water crossing near a well-known ford on the Tallulah River; Dicks Creek Road nearby has been reported closed on past runs and is worth checking before counting on it. Heavy rain turns stream crossings dangerous fast, and low-hanging branches on some Forest Service roads can catch a tall van or trailer. The route tops out at 3,882 feet, high enough that winter storms bring snow and ice to the upper sections.
Points of Interest
- Chattooga River at Burrells Ford. The route's eastern start, a Wild and Scenic river crossing shared with the Chattooga's whitewater paddling runs.
- Cohutta Wilderness and Lake Conasauga. The route skirts the wilderness boundary near Ball Field Group Camp, with the Mountaintown Overlook as a common stopping point.
- Helen. A Bavarian-themed town about a mile off-route, known locally for bratwurst and beer gardens rather than anything Appalachian; a reliable break for fuel and food mid-route.
- Helton Creek Falls. A hike-to waterfall reached from a short spur off the route in the Chattahoochee National Forest.
- Tray Mountain Road. One of the named Forest Service segments strung together to build the traverse, running through high-elevation hardwood forest.
Where to Camp
Camping runs from informal dispersed sites along the Forest Service roads to developed campgrounds inside the national forests, plus a few private campgrounds in the towns along the way. Dispersed sites aren't blanket-legal everywhere on the route, since it crosses four national forests and a state wildlife management area, each with its own rules; confirm with the relevant ranger district before counting on a specific spot. Flat Branch, near a creek crossing on the eastern half, is one of the more commonly used informal sites.
Tips for a Safe and Enjoyable Trip
- Run the traverse in 3 to 4 days rather than trying it in one push. 390 miles at 10 to 20 mph on the dirt sections adds up fast.
- Download offline maps before starting. Cell coverage drops out through most of the unpaved miles, and the route's own waypoint set, more than 500 points marking roads, campsites, and water crossings, is built for GPX-capable apps like Gaia GPS or OnX Offroad, available through georgiaoverland.com.
- Scout Charlie's Creek Road, or skip it, after heavy rain. The water crossing there is the route's most commonly cited technical obstacle.
- Fuel gaps run up to about 75 miles between small towns. Top off in Rome, Blairsville, Dillard, or Helen rather than assuming the next town has a station.
- Winter storms bring snow and ice above the mid-elevations. April through November gives the most reliable conditions.
