Home GeorgiaBlue Ridge/Fannin County, Georgia Take a Fall Road Trip

Take a Fall Road Trip

by Katie Reeder

Scenic driving tours provide a guide for seeing the best of Blue Ridge and the surrounding countryside

Trees ablaze with color shine against the mountains of Blue Ridge, Georgia, about 90 minutes north of Atlanta via Interstate 575, and beckon visitors to steal away for a weekend, driving back roads and exploring the countryside. Take a drive along these top five routes which highlight the best of the area:

  1. Mountains and Countryside: Packed with popular stops, like Falls Branch Falls and a hike to The Swinging Bridge, this Blue Ridge drive takes passengers outside of city limits and on a scenic loop around Blue Ridge. Savor views of the Chattahoochee National Forest and surrounding countryside full of opportunities to view fall colors. Start in Blue Ridge; round trip mileage is 27.5 miles. Available for download at BlueRidgeMountains.com/selfguidedtours.html or contact the Welcome Center at 800-899-MTNS.
  2. Day Trip to Dahlonega and Apple Valley: This day trip, originally produced by the U.S. Forest Service, is beautiful any time of year, but is stunning in the fall. The drive begins and ends at the intersection of Georgia Highways 5 and 515 in Blue Ridge. Stops along the way include the Swinging Bridge over the Toccoa River, Amicalola Falls, Burt’s Pumpkin Farm and Apple Alley. Round trip mileage is 91.4  miles and approximate driving time without stops is three to four hours. Download detailed directions at BlueRidgeMountains.com/selfguidedtours.html.
  3. Ocoee Scenic Byway: This drive takes you along Highway 64 from Copperhill to Cleveland, Tennessee, through the Ocoee Gorge. Follow the nation’s first Scenic Byway as it winds through the Cherokee National Forest alongside the Ocoee River, past the Ocoee dams, flume line and powerhouses and Parksville Lake. Ocoee Whitewater Center is also on the way. For more information, see www.ByWays.org.
  4. Cherohala Skyway: From Blue Ridge, Highway 60 becomes Highway 68 which takes drivers to Highway 165 and into Tellico Plains, Tennessee. Head to Robbinsville, North Carolina, winding through scenery that rivals the Blue Ridge Parkway. The Cherohala Skyway crosses through the Cherokee and Nantahala National Forests, providing spectacular mile-high vistas and brilliant fall foliage. Plan for the drive to take 1 ½ to 2 hours spanning the Skyway’s 40 miles. (800) 245-5428 or see www.Cherohala.org.
  5. Southern Highroads Trail: For a multi-day adventure, this road trip covers Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee.  The Southern Highroads Trail winds its way through the Appalachian Mountains in four states. Experience the scenic beauty, diversity and rich history found along the way as you travel the 360-mile route. The entire trail takes about three days to complete, and includes the Georgia cities of Blue Ridge, Ellijay, Chatsworth, Blairsville, Young Harris, Hiawassee, Clayton, Dillard and Mountain City. Find out more at www.SouthernHighRoads.org.

If you go
From mountain cabins with lake-views and room for 20, to cabins hidden away and built only for two (hot tub included!) find links to cabin rental companies at www.BlueRidgeMountains.com.