Horseshoe Ridge

Trail Overview

Winding through the Chattahoochee, you'll experience both beginner-friendly and intermediate terrain, allowing you to enjoy the scenery of the North Georgia mountains. The northwest end of this trail begins at the Appalachian Trail, providing ample opportunities to leave your car or campsite for a bit and explore a section of one of the most famous hiking trails in the U.S. If you're looking for dispersed camping, there are areas along the route to do so. One section, around (34.64309, -84.05506), is large enough for multiple cars and campsites, making it a great spot for larger extended family or friends, so keep an eye out if you're interested. At the jackknife section, where Blue Ridge transitions onto Horseshoe Ridge at (34.64547, -84.03388), the trail becomes slightly more difficult and technical. While it offers a fun adventure, you will encounter deeper ruts along the narrow road, larger rocks, and potentially downed trees. If this doesn't interest you or your party, you can simply turn around at the jackknife section. Note that there are no clear dispersed campsites past this point, so if you are interested in camping, it's best to stick to the first half of the trail. Additionally, you can access the more challenging side of Horseshoe Ridge from Black Mountain Road at (34.6099, -84.0042) and enter the trail from the southeast side. Be mindful that this entire section might experience seasonal closures since there is a gate at both ends.

Photos of Horseshoe Ridge

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Difficulty

This trail is pretty narrow, just wide enough for one vehicle at a time. The ruts are quite noticeable, around 8-12 inches deep and 12-24 inches wide. Plus, there are overhanging trees along the way that might be an issue for taller vehicles, so some trimming might be necessary. You'll also encounter larger rocks and scattered throughout, adding to the terrain and requiring some careful maneuvering.

Technical Rating