The Southern Highroads Trail is an accumulation of several mountain routes forming a loop through four states, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee. The trail was designed for the visitor to start in any of the four states they choose and complete their tour in a circle, back to their selected point of entry.
The Trail is a total 364 miles. There's no particular starting point which adds to its appeal. The Southern Highroads Trail can be a accessed within 90 minutes of four major metropolitan areas, Atlanta, GA, Ashville, NC, Chattanooga, TN and Greenville, SC. I recommend this ride for the experienced rider. This ride features many areas with narrow and very curving roads through beautiful mountain scenery.
There’s not just one way to get onto the Southern Highroads Trail. You can hop onto it from basically anywhere. However, a good entry point from the South would be through Helen, Georgia. Helen is a cute Alpine village tucked into the side of a mountain and is a great starting point. From here you can head up Scenic Hwy 197 to the Southern Highroads Trail. From Helen take hwy 356. You'll find plenty of curves and sweeping turns. Just a few miles down the road you'll come to Unicoi State Park. This is a great park to visit or stay at before your journey. When Hwy 356 ends at Hwy 197, take a left. Scenic 197 may be a beautiful scenic highway, but originally it was to run moonshine. It has twists, turns, and quaint shops, restaurants, and inns dotted through-out the entire highway. You'll pass by Lake Burton and come out on US 76, which is part of the Southern Highroads Trail.
SIDE TRIPS
GEORGIA
Carters Lake - South of Chatsworth & Ellijay on Hwy 382 - Offers camping on the lake. There is also a fun loop you can take to see Carters Lake. Turn onto Old GA 5 in Ellijay. Old GA 5 leads south to GA 382 which snakes through the hills to GA 136. Go Right at GA 136 and you'll see Carters Lake. There's a visitors center and a marina offering great views of the lake. Turn off GA 136 onto Old US 411 also known as Old Federal Road. If you pass over a set of railroad tracks you've missed the road, it's not well marked. The Old Federal Road is also home to a one lane bridge near Carters Lake Regulation Dam. There's a little park here with great views of the lake. Farther North, you'll discover the damsite overlook. The driveway to the overlook is just over one mile and is a scenic little ride. Turning right onto US 76, the ride climbs a ridge on it's way back toward Ellijay and the Southern Highroads Trail.
Cohutta Lodge & Fort Mountain State Park From Ellijay to Chatsworth GA 52 twists and climbs Fort Mountain. Near the top of Fort Mountain is the Cohutta Lodge. They have great rooms with views that look down the southern side of Fort Mountain. They also have a wonderful restaurant. It's a great place to stop for a break to take in the views and recharge. Just past Cohutta Lodge is the entrance to Fort Mountain State Park. There is a small fee to go to the park, but it's worth a visit. There is a 40 foot stone tower that gives you a birds eye view of the area. There is also a mysterious stone wall that dates back to 500 A.D. The purpose of the wall and it's builders remain a mystery.
Brasstown Bald - Blairsville - The highest point in the state of Georgia. Great views of 4 states from the observation tower. From Blairsville, Georgia take US 19/129 south for 8 miles. Turn left (east) onto Georgia 180. Go 9 miles to Georgia Spur 180 and turn left (north). Go 3 miles to the Brasstown Bald parking lot.
Vogel State Park - Blairsville - Offers camping on a beautiful lake. Located 11 miles south of Blairsville via U.S. Hwy. 19/129
Helton Creek Falls - Blairsville - Helton Creek Falls lies just beyond the entrance to Vogel State Park. It is a beautiful double falls set in deep hardwood forest. The total vertical drop of the falls is more than 100 feet. At Blairsville, take US 19 south to Vogel State Park. Helton Creek Road is a mile after the park.
Tallulah Gorge State Park Located on US 441, close to the South Carolina border.
SOUTH CAROLINA
Stumphouse Tunnel & Issaqueen Falls Located 7 miles north west of Walhalla on Hwy. 28
If you enjoy nature, hiking and waterfalls then you may want to make a side trip to see the Oconee County Waterfalls: The waterfalls listed are all close to the Southern Highroads Trail. Some of them may require a short drive on a gravel road to reach. All of them require a short hike to reach. The following links will provide you with directions, map and photo of the waterfall. Chauga Narrows, Issaqueen Falls, Licklog & Pigpen Falls, Lower Whitewater Falls, Miuka Falls, Riley Moore Falls, Spoonauger Falls, Station Cove Falls, Yellow Branch Falls
NORTH CAROLINA
Whitewater Falls Located on NC 281, near the South Carolina border
Bridal Veil Falls Located on Hwy 64 west of Highlands 2.5 miles, there is a road that goes behind the falls that you can ride.
Dry Falls Located on Hwy 64 west of Highlands 3.5 miles, there is a trail that leads you behind the falls
Cullasaja Falls Located on Hwy 64 west of Highlands about 9 miles
TENNESSEE
Ocoee Whitewater Center The 1996 Summer Olympics held their whitewater sports here. There is a cool suspension bridge over the Ocoee river that you can go out on to great a great look at the water. Here you can picnic along the river or take a refreshing dip in the water, for the thrill seeker take a whitwater rafting trip. Thunder Rock Campground is located one mile west if you'd like to stay and explore the area a little bit more. As you leave Ocoee gorge, don't miss Boyd Gap overlook. The driveway to this overlook takes you a few hundred yards off US 64/74, but it is a spectacular view.
Cherohala Skyway From Ducktown head north on Hwy 68 to Tallico Plains which is around 32 miles. The Cherohala Skyway runs from Tellico Plains on Hwy 165 to the North Carolina Border where it becomes Hwy 143. It comes out at Santeetlah Gap, near Robbinsville North Carolina. The Skyway is a beautiful 36 mile scenic byway.
MOTORCYCLE FRIENDLY PLACES TO STAY ALONG THE ROUTE
GEORGIA
Blairsville: Copperhead Lodge - Motorcycle Resort
Misty Mountain Inn & Cotages - 4 Guest Rooms, 6 Cottages Motorcycle Friendly
Seasons Inn Motel - 25 Rooms, Laundry, WiFi Motorcycle Friendly
Morganton: Morganton Point Forest Service Campground Campsites & Showers
SOUTH CAROLINA
Walhalla: Mountain Rest Cabins & Campground - Located between Walhalla & Mountain Rest off Hwy. 28.
Oconee State Park - Located on Hwy 107. Cabins, Campsites & Showers.
Cherry Hill Forest Service Campground - Located on Hwy 107. Campsites & Showers.
NORTH CAROLINA
Highlands: Vanhook Glade Forest Service Campground Located on Hwy 64. Campsites & Showers
Franklin: Sapphire Inn
TENNESSEE
Ducktown: Thunder Rock Forest Service Campground Located on Hwy 64. Campsites & Showers
SOUTHERN HIGHROADS TRAIL RESOURCES
Discover Southern Highroads This sight has great information and you can request a brochure.
Hitting the Highspots on the Southern Highlands Trail
Aye'll take the Highroad
GEORGIA RESOURCES
Blairsville - Union County Information
Georgia Mountains - Rabun County Information
SOUTH CAROLINA RESOURCES
Oconee County Information
