Must-Dos for This Year's Leaf Season in the North Georgia Mountains

We are fast approaching Blue Ridge's famous Leaf Season! Every year, thousands of people flock to the North Georgia Mountains to experience the gorgeous golden yellows, fiery oranges, and flaming reds of this breathtaking time of year. Millions of brilliantly colored leaves come together in an unforgettable, must-see mosaic that leaf “peepers” love to check out along scenic drives, during colorful hikes, or from Blue Ridge’s famous Scenic Railway. If you’ve never experienced it, check out one of the leaf viewing favorites below!

 

Scenic Leaf Drives

Blue Ridge boasts some of the most gorgeous leaf drives in the area. Blue Ridge Parkway stretches over 469 miles, spans two states, and covers differences in elevation of thousands of feet. Given such variety, this parkway promises a wide range of gorgeous colors. 

For those looking for a faster adventure, Chattahoochee River Road offers a 14-mile drive, which rarely permits speeds of over 10 miles per hour, making it the perfect excuse to drive slowly and enjoy all views.

 

Colorful Hikes

A hike along the Appalachian Trail is another great way to ensure a spectacular leaf-viewing experience. With various destinations along the trail, hikers can brave climbing to higher elevations for broader views when covering the Unicoi Gap to Indian Grave Gap portion of the trail, or enjoy the foliage from lower altitudes along the Three Forks to Springer Mountain section. 

Other popular hiking options include Andrews Cove Trail and Horse Trough Falls Trail (both along the Chattahoochee River Road scenic drive).

 

Blue Ridge Scenic Railway 

Named one of the top five attractions for experiencing the Leaf Season by Southern Living Magazine, the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway travels along the Toccoa River. During the ride, passengers can see the stunning colors reflected in the surface of the water for an even more breathtaking view.

Peak leaf-viewing time in Blue Ridge is generally late October to early November, but experts say it starts mid-October for higher elevations. Potential leaf watchers, take note!