Take a scenic drive through gorgeous north Georgia mountain scenery

These scenic drives in Georgia's Blue Ridge combine some of the prettiest views of the countryside with curvy mountain roads and lots of roadside attractions.

Three Scenic Drives from 27.5-102 miles

Drive 1 (medium length drive)

This scenic drive combines some of the prettiest views of the countryside with curvy mountain roads and lots of roadside attractions, including the historic Skeenah Mill, Serenberry Vineyards, Swinging Bridge on the Toccoa River, Chattahoochee National Fish Hatchery, Lake Winfield Scott, Vogel State Park and more opportunities for side trips. Round trip mileage is 76 miles and approximate driving time without stops is around two hours.

Free 76 mile Self-Guided Tour with detailed driving directions

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You can easily turn this scenic drive into a day trip with all the interesting stops along the way. Some great places to stop are Woody Gap Vista, Lake Winfield Scott, Vogel State Park, Sunrise Grocery and Granddaddy Mimms Moonshine Distillery.

Beautiful autumn farmscape in Georgia's Blue Ridge

The drive is a loop starting from and returning to Blue Ridge. From Blue Ridge, follow Highway 60 south from Morganton to Wolf Pen Gap (Hwy 180) in Suches with Blairsville as your final destination before returning to town. You will discover Suches, the highest “community” in the state called “the Valley Above the Clouds.”

picturedThe Toccoa River along Hwy. 60

Along the way you'll drive past the Toccoa River, one of Georgia’s most pristine trout streams. With headwaters in Union County, it flows into Fannin County and becomes the major feeder stream for Lake Blue Ridge. It resumes its flow below the Blue Ridge dam and travels north into Tennessee, where it is known as the Ocoee River. Water quality is good and trout fishing is excellent. Add beautiful scenery and mild rapids and you have the perfect environment for canoeing, tubing, fishing, camping and all kinds of outdoor recreation.

Drive 2 (longer length drive)

This scenic 102 mile long drive includes curvy mountain roads and scenic farm views, a drive along the Toccoa River, the town of Dahlonega and a return on the loop through 'Apple Orchard Alley' with miles of apple orchards along the way.

Free 102 mile Self-Guided Tour with detailed driving directions

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Swinging Bridge over the Toccoa River

Additionally, if day hiking is one of the activities you enjoy, access to a short hike to the Swinging Bridge over the Toccoa River is accessible at mile 18 on the drive. Be advised, the rough 3 mile long gravel road off Hwy. 60 to the trailhead may not be suitable for low clearance cars. The swinging bridge over the Toccoa River is a popular destination for day-hikers, Benton MacKaye Trail thru-hikers, and paddlers making the journey down the Toccoa River Canoe Trail. This 270 foot long bridge is the longest swinging bridge east of the Mississippi River and is located on the Benton MacKaye Trail in Fannin County. It was built by the USDA Forest Service in cooperation with the Appalachian Trail Club in 1977. Another stop along the way is one of Georgia’s oldest and most beloved state parks, Vogel State Park, located at the base of Blood Mountain in the Chattahoochee National Forest and a great visit during all seasons.

Vogel State Park

Drive 3 (shorter drive)

For a shorter drive from Blue Ridge going south along scenic Aska Road, this 27.5 mile drive can be done in a morning or afternoon with possible stops for sightseeing, day hiking and views of the Toccoa River Rapids at mile 7. The views of the surrounding mountains and through the Aska Adventure Area make the route a special shorter trip into some of the most scenic areas of Georgia's Blue Ridge. Aska Trails has a variety of hiking opportunities for all levels of hikers.