Next exit: Worthy GeorGia Detours Hiawassee: Altitude Adjustment There’s no wrong route to take through the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest. The hour-ish detour from Blue Ridge to Hiawassee via U.S. Route 76 is part of the Lookout Mountain Scenic Highway, a balanced blend of rolling mountain scenery and tempting roadside attractions. Once you arrive in Hiawassee , it’s hard to miss the state’s highest peak, Brasstown Bald , in the distance. Fuel up for your ascent at Tilted Cafe , a beloved brunch spot serving Southern comfort food like shrimp and grits before choosing a route to the top. Hikers can get there via the paved half-mile Summit Trail , or take the Jacks Knob Trail or Arkaquah Trail for a longer trek to the summit through breathtaking Appalachian scenery. Still stuffed from your epic brunch? There’s also a shuttle service to the top, departing from the parking area and visitor center. But no matter how you get to the mountain’s peak – 4,784 feet above sea level – you’ll be rewarded with stunning vistas in every direction from the cloud-level observation deck. On clear days, you can see four states; when it’s cloudy, you’ll enjoy views of moody, fog-filled valleys. For mountaintop vistas that also include paragliders and picturesque lakes, it’s an easy drive to Bell Mountain Park and the Hal Herrin Scenic Overlook , nearly 3,500 feet in the air. For a short hike with a spectacular payoff, try the High Shoals Scenic Area ; following a rustic trail and tumbling creek by the same name, you’ll encounter five cascading waterfalls with an estimated vertical drop of 300 feet. Given its woodsy magnetism and proximity to the Appalachian Trail , Hiawassee hits all the right notes to be a gracious and fun-forward festival host. Visit the Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds for the popular Georgia Mountain Fair every August or the Georgia Mountain Fall Festival each October; both offer live music, handcrafted goods from local makers, carnival rides, and of course, piping-hot funnel cakes. If you’re staying overnight, check into the Hiwassee River Retreat . This adults-only riverside resort is tailor-made for romantic weekends, with perfectly appointed “glam cabins,” gourmet meal plans, and cozy extras like claw-foot tubs and s’mores kits. Should you prefer a different kind of waterfront view, stay at The Ridges Resort on nearby Lake Chatuge ; this is luxury on a slightly larger scale, with a range of family-friendly lodging options and Appalachian-inspired farm-to-table dining on-site at The Oaks Lakeside Kitchen . BRASSTOWN BALD VISITOR INFORMATION CENTER, HIAWASSEE | CALEB JONES EXPLOREGEORGIA.ORG 121
Official State Travel Guide 2026 Georgia Official State Travel Guide: Page 121
