There are over 70 miles of the Appalachian Trail in Georgia. Each section offers unique and beautiful valleys and mountains with breathtaking views. One of my favorite sections starts at Hogpen Gap and ends at Unicoi Gap. This 14 miles section starts on Hwy 348 of the Richard B. Russell Scenic Highway and ends about ten miles north of Helen on Hwy 17/75 of the Unicoi Turnpike.
This trail is best hiked from south to north as the grade is easier. I’ve hiked south from Unicoi before making the first two miles steep and rocky. Starting from Hogpen Gap is not only beautiful but offers a slower start with more gentle climbs. The most difficult uphill section of this is the section between Chattahoochee Gap and the Blue Mountain Shelter. After that it’s mostly downhill.
There are two shelters (at Low Gap & Blue Mountain) as well as numerous camping spots. There are plenty of creeks and springs so you shouldn’t have to carry more than a quart of water at one time for this section. Your water should be treated or filtered of course.
The Hike 13.8 Miles
START Hogpen Gap Hwy 348 Richard B. Russell Scenic Hwy
Low gap Shelter at 4.4 miles
Blue Mountain Shelter at 7.2 miles
END at Unicoi Gap Hwy 17/75 (north of Helen)
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Any campsites at Hogpen Gap?
There are several sites not far in. There’s nothing right on the trail that I can think of but if you are willing to hike even a mile you’ll find several good spots. Water isn’t a problem on this trail but you’ll want to bring some sort of filtration device or you’ll be losing a lot of weight – the painful and hard way – after your trip.