Yonah Mountain Hiking Trail
Yonah Mountain Hiking Trail
4.5
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4.5
112 reviews
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Sharon M
Athens, GA25 contributions
July 2020 • Friends
I’m a Georgia native and always wanted to do this trail. It is well-worth the challenge and the view from the top! I am an experienced hiker, but had not been on a trip in two years due to a problem with my foot... meaning I am not currently in top condition :) It was still doable, so if you aren’t a regular hiker, plan to take your time and bring snacks. I highly recommend hiking boots because the trail is rocky. You will get better traction and prevent ankle rolls. According to Atlanta Trails, it’s a 1400 ft. climb over 2.2 miles. The trail is mostly shaded and there are really cool boulders all along the trail and through the woods. There were tons of beautiful wildflowers everywhere. Definitely apply bug spray. I did but still got a few bites (chiggers).
The turn to the trail is not marked, so use GPS to find the road. It’s about 15 minutes south of Helen going toward Cleveland. There’s a right turn onto a small side road, then another right on a gravel road. If you have a low-clearance vehicle, you will need to navigate the gravel road carefully because it is uneven.
Final note... the view at the top isn’t the only thing to appreciate. Take your time and notice the little things along the way.
The turn to the trail is not marked, so use GPS to find the road. It’s about 15 minutes south of Helen going toward Cleveland. There’s a right turn onto a small side road, then another right on a gravel road. If you have a low-clearance vehicle, you will need to navigate the gravel road carefully because it is uneven.
Final note... the view at the top isn’t the only thing to appreciate. Take your time and notice the little things along the way.
Written 5 July 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jim S
Miami, Florida, United States28 contributions
Aug 2020
You drive half way up the Mountain, park the car and your experience begins. The trails start to incline about the 3 mile mark (be ready as this is not a beginner trail ). The trail is almost 5 miles to the Waterfall at the end. Its so worth it. We were the Last ones there. Many Streams & Bridges. Give yourself a Half a Day for this as It takes hours to get up (Took us 3.5 up and 2 down )
Written 3 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Angela Hockman
7 contributions
Mar 2021 • Couples
I am a very hefty woman, well over 300lbs. I wanted to go hiking with my husband for our anniversary. People from our gym had just done Yonah and suggested it for us. They told me it would be hard but also know my abilities and told me I could do it. When the hike first started I did not know what I was getting myself into. I expected the trail to be similar the whole way up. Wrong! After the half way point, it gets very steep. Half way point to the army camp was the hardest part for me. We took several 1-2 minute breathers and I went very very slow. It took us 2.5 hours to get to the summit! But I did get to the summit! I was too afraid to go to the rock facing and stayed in the trees but I cant wait to try again and actually go to the edge. The journey back down was very painful on my knees. At the steep points my husband stood in front of me to hold on to him so I wouldn't fall. By the bridge at the bottom my toes were hurting very very badly from my shoes. But when I reached the parking lot I was crying tears of pure joy as my husband clapped for me. This is a very hard hike if you are overweight. But if you have the right mindset and willpower you CAN absolutely do it!
Written 17 March 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AFlife
20 contributions
Apr 2021
So this is a strenuous hike but very manageable if you take your time on the uphill part. The trail itself is beautiful and well marked. We arrived early and were able to park in the parking lot. The parking lot is on the smallish side however there is parking along the road leading to the trail. The road going to the trailhead is unpaved and has some large ruts,etc. The views are very pretty from the top and well worth a visit. I would recommend shoes with good grip due to the few sections that require climbing over rock,etc. We took our small dog ( 15lbs) with us and he only needed carried over a few places. On the way down we did pass a lot of people coming up the trail and there were a few sections that required you to wait until others passed. I would definitely arrive early.
Written 13 April 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Grover R
Pensacola, FL22,266 contributions
Aug 2023 • Solo
Per AllTrails, this hike is the #1 hike in the State of Georgia. At 4.1 miles round trip and 1,453 vertical feet is it a great hike with just enough elevation in just enough distance. While the nearly the entire hike is through a thick Georgia deciduous forest, one side of the top has a sheer granite wall that provides incredible views to the west over the valley below. For all these reasons, this is an incredible hike. I will say there are a number of camps in the area so the trail can be quite busy. However, it can equally clear out as it did before I returned, hiking the entire way down by myself and having an incredible experience with a number of deer on the return.
If you are in the north Georgia mountains, this is a great hike that I highly recommend. The distance and elevation are relatively low and the rewarding view for the effort is incredible. There is a reason this is the best hike in Georgia.
If you are in the north Georgia mountains, this is a great hike that I highly recommend. The distance and elevation are relatively low and the rewarding view for the effort is incredible. There is a reason this is the best hike in Georgia.
Written 31 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Louis H
Atlanta, GA635 contributions
July 2022
We used to drive up to the top of Yonah back in college in the 90's when the Army was not doing training exercises. The road to the top was very narrow somewhat dangerous. Wisely the state of Georgia closed off this road and made a hiking trailhead. The hike up says 2.2 miles but we ended up hiking about 2.6 up. I guess because we hiked around the summit and cliffside quite a bit. It's 1600 feet of elevation gain in 2.2 miles which is pretty tough. Still I think Blood Mountain is 2000+ in 1.5 miles so not quite as much elevation change. The trail doesn't switch back to much and has quite a bit of erosion making a few difficult footing sections. Still I would not call in an extremely hard hike if you take it slow. There is a really nice lookout just over halfway. The last .75 miles is probably the toughest but you are rewarded with outstanding views of Blood Mt, Brasstown Bald and most of North Central GA. There are some really dangerous ledges so be careful. The trail is heavily traveled so you don't have to worry about being isolated on weekends. There are basic bathroom facilities at the trailhead. Definitely going to get back up here again soon and hike it again.
Written 3 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Emmy S
Orlando, FL4 contributions
July 2021
Okay, let me start by saying that Mt. Yonah and I had quite the interesting experience together. As a person who does not hike regularly, this hike was pretty strenuous. The 2,000 ft increase in just two miles definitely took the wind out of me, but the hike was incredible. The views were some of the best I had ever seen and I would do this hike again. With lookouts along the trail up the mountain, my friend and I were able to take sufficient breaks to make our climb easier. While this hike was a feat for us, we did see hikers climb this mountain with ease and were lapped by individuals who brought little water and snacks. It seems to be a hot spot for local, seasoned hikers.
However, we did have one problem on this hike that occurred on the way down. We missed the small trailhead after the army camp and ended up walking a mile and half down the mountain in the wrong direction. This was awful for us because we could barely make it up in the first place and after trying (and failing) to make our way back to the trailhead, we ended up hitchhiking back to the trailhead with a local vacation rental worker. So, my only advice to travelers hiking this mountain would be to pay special attention to the trail markers on your sojourn back from the mountain’s peak.
Scary hitchhiking aside, the view from the top of the mountain was worth the hours we spent hiking under the hot sun. The views of the valley below were amazing and we loved being able to view miles and miles of land.
In summation, do this hike but be diligent, pay attention to directions, and bring plenty of snacks and water to keep you fueled throughout your hike.
However, we did have one problem on this hike that occurred on the way down. We missed the small trailhead after the army camp and ended up walking a mile and half down the mountain in the wrong direction. This was awful for us because we could barely make it up in the first place and after trying (and failing) to make our way back to the trailhead, we ended up hitchhiking back to the trailhead with a local vacation rental worker. So, my only advice to travelers hiking this mountain would be to pay special attention to the trail markers on your sojourn back from the mountain’s peak.
Scary hitchhiking aside, the view from the top of the mountain was worth the hours we spent hiking under the hot sun. The views of the valley below were amazing and we loved being able to view miles and miles of land.
In summation, do this hike but be diligent, pay attention to directions, and bring plenty of snacks and water to keep you fueled throughout your hike.
Written 23 March 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CANDICE B
Kennesaw, GA55 contributions
Sept 2023 • Solo
As a former hiker gone soft, this was a difficult hike and much willpower was needed to finish. The 1450’ elevation gain is no joke. The rock and boulder path was tough. When I reached the Army training camp, I knew I had been too ambitious but couldn’t turn back by then. If the military trains on a mountain, one knows it will be full of suck. The view at the summit was gorgeous. A man and a child were fairly close and the child, while polite, talked loudly the entire time. So much for zen. The hike down went more quickly but was brutal. The hike difficulty was mostly due to my fitness level or lack thereof. It was worth it.
Written 26 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Autumn B
Oconee, GA3 contributions
Mar 2020 • Family
It was a very strenuous hike, very steep. But my whole fam still loved it! Walk, yes! But to run is a huge no, the mountain was super steep and I wouldn’t want to roll an ankle. Still a fun trip though!!!!
Written 9 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rebecca L
Atlanta, GA1,638 contributions
July 2020 • Family
This is about a 4.5 mile hike to the top of Yonah Mountain. The path is clear but has roots and some rocks. At the halfway point up the mountain, there is a grassy clearing for your first good view. After that, the path gets much steeper. At the top, there are many outcrops you can sit and enjoy views. It was a little hard finding the trailhead, but the parking lot is on a short gravel road off Chambers road. No fee to park and pit toilets. I would say this hike is moderate to strenuous, but very doable. Take lots of water.
Written 5 July 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Laura
Estero, Florida
Has anyone done this hike with a 3 year old? It looks beautiful but I don't know how far we would make it.
Written 20 October 2020
Definitely would not recommend it. When my daughter was that age, I wouldn’t take her on a trail longer than a mile or two and mostly level. Even then I’d end up carrying her by the end. This trail is steep and uneven. Difficult for the child and difficult for you if you have to carry him or her.
Written 21 October 2020
How do you get over there from the main road? Last time I was up that way I can see you on a mountain but I couldn't figure out how to get there
Written 15 March 2020
There is a paved loop that runs off the main road that will get you there. I forgot the name but GPS took us right there.
Written 15 March 2020
So I can park my car in the gravel parking lot overnight and go camping?
Written 18 September 2019
I would think so since this is National Forest land. I would double-check with the nearest office, which is probably the one that is on 441 N past Talullah Gorge. Google National Forest Service regional offices.
Written 5 July 2020
Are there any ticks on the trail in the summer time that can get on me or my dog?
Written 2 May 2019
Of course not, there are people stationed periodically along the 4.4 mile trail, their only job is to find the ticks and remove them for the safety of all guests.
Written 4 June 2019
Is it necessary to have poles or walking stick for hiking to Yonai mtn?
Written 22 April 2019
No, it’s not necessary! If you are more comfortable with using trekking poles/hiking sticks, you can bring them, but the trail is very doable without them.
Written 23 April 2019
goodwink9
Atlanta, Georgia
Is there a specified hours of operation for the trail/parking lot?
Written 11 March 2017
No there's not you can go anytime of the day or night
Written 12 March 2017
Of course dogs can go! I brought my dogs and they ran the trails like they were nothing.
Written 9 March 2020
Several people have slipped and fallen off of the rocky peak and ledges. So as long as you are careful where you step, you'll be just fine. There's a few important things you need to keep in mind. 1- Wear good study hiking boots or trail shoes, NO FLIP FLOPS!! 2- Make sure that you leave yourself plenty of time to get up and down the mountain, it WILL take you at least 4 hours from base camp to the peak. 3- Take plenty of water with you, there are no places to get water on the trail. 4- Take your time when climbing over the boulder fields and up the steeper sections. 5- Watch where you place your feet, as there are exposed roots and loose rocks everywhere on the trail. 6- Let someone know that you are going to be hiking the trail and what time you plan to be back home. Cell service is spotty and if you get caught on the mountain once the sun goes down, you had best have a flashlight, either that or plan on spending the night on Yonah.
Written 23 May 2016
Carson Tufts
Provo, Utah
Is it legal to camp out at the top of the mountain? I know that there is a clearing at the top, but with the Army there are we allowed to stay the night?
Written 8 November 2015
I believe you can camp at the top and at the first landing as long as the Army rangers are not practicing the mountaineering.
Caa ahead to make sure.
Written 9 November 2015
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