Scenic Driving Tours in Towns County North Georgia Mountains

You could say most mountain roads and scenic byways are often one and the same to roadway armrest enthusiast. Yet when you get to know the natural landscape, you start picking cherries by means of mountain views and natural wonders. Designated scenic byways and driving tours can consolidate these wonders into an organized road trip that will get you the most bang out of your driving adventure budget, and bring you into contact with the hidden treasures that lay within the mountains natural beauty. Listed in the points of interest below are two favored road tours with one tour passing through Towns County from one end to another (east to west), and a second road trip that loops the fringes of three counties taking advantage of neighboring wonders and well as Towns County’s own natural wonders.

Southern Highroads Trail

This scenic drive (don’t let the word “Trail” fool you); is a section of the Southern Highroads Trail that passes thru Towns County along US 76 from one end of the county to the other from east to west, or vise-versa. The entire scenic roadway tour is a 364-mile loop drive.  The trip across Towns County is roughly 30-miles, beginning at one mountain gap and ending at another.

The Southern Highroads Trail travels its entire loop across North Georgia, then onto a shorter section of Up Country South Carolina, then across far southwestern North Carolina to a shorter section of southeastern Tennessee before reconnecting back in Georgia.

The Southern Highroads Trail crosses mountain gaps and valley floors, traveling through narrow gorges along rushing white-water rivers. All the while journeying thru historic towns and beautiful countryside.

Whether you prefer to take the short scenic drive thru the heart of Towns County or the longer trip along the Southern Highroads Trail, this scenic route offers some of the most beautiful mountain and valley areas in the southern Blue Ridge Mountains.

While traveling thru Towns County, surveying sights for our Blue Ridge Highlander’s, Mtn Top Georgia Mobile App, Mrs. Highlander and I recently witness famed actor, director and academy award winner, Clint Eastwood, filming a scene for his movie “Trouble with the Curve.” The filming was of a road scene that was along a section of the Southern Highroads Trail in eastern Towns County. We saw Clint, sitting in a late model convertible sports car behind a filming truck, he sat up on the back of the sports car seat and was giving direction to the cameraman. In another scene, we watched the film crew temporarily posting a North Carolina State sign along the roadside. The backdrop was western Towns County’s Upper Hightower region of North Georgia, not North Carolina...that’s Hollywood.

Russell Brasstown Scenic Byway

Located in the southern mountainous regions of Towns County’s Blue Ridge Mountains, and forming a scenic drive loop is the Russell Brasstown Scenic Byway.

In my personal opinion this is a four star, 40.6-mile, 360-degree view of what the wilderness lands of central North Georgia’s Chattahoochee National Forest, has to offer in all its glory. Tall mountains with endless vistas, rushing creeks and waterways, an abundance of waterfalls, miles and miles of hiking trails including the southern most section of the Appalachian Trail. Camping, biking, fly fishing, picnics, natural wildlife, and wildflowers all reside in a land where mysterious ancient Native American legends of other worldly beings tell their tales and show their wares in a mountain setting like none other.

The Russell Brasstown Scenic Byway takes in more natural wonders per mile than any other scenic route in North Georgia. This route will take visitors from the depths of the valleys to the heights of the tallest most accessible mountain in Georgia. Though beautiful to behold, the steep climbs and descents along the routes paved 2-lane and often 3-lane roadways, can be a little intimidating to some inexperienced mountain drivers. Yet it’s a paradise roadway to others that are familiar with the curves and up and downs of mountain highways.

For those with less mountain driving skills, its advised to take your time, pull over when you can do so safely, so that you can see the sights or just let the pushy traffic behind you pass you by. Also when going down steep slopes its sometime advisable to take the transmission gear shift out of over-drive, and place it into drive or second gear to avoid excessive brake usage. Also, don’t let your vehicle exceed the speed limit to avoid constant braking. A couple of trips over the mountain and you’ll soon be a local pro-driver of skill, or at least more experienced.

This 40.6-mile scenic drive follows four roadways creating a loop. These four roadways are the GA Highway 17/75 to ALT 75, GA Highway 348 to GA Highway 180, plus the access roadway to the top of Brasstown Bald just off of GA Highway 180. Please drive safely and have a great time.

Georgia Mountain Fairground Festivals and Super Star Concerts

Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds in Hiawassee Georgia

The Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds are right on beautiful Lake Chatuge in Towns County Georgia. The Fairgrounds sit along the banks and are surrounded by the mountains, including the tallest mountains in Georgia.

The Festivals and Concerts start in early spring with the Rhododendron Festival, followed by the Georgia Mountain Fair, Fall Festival, Super Star Concerts, Georgia's Official State Fiddler's Convention and there are campgrounds right on beautiful shores of Lake Chatuge.

1311 Music Hall Road • Hiawassee, Georgia 30546 • 706.896.4191 • GeorgiaMountainFairgrounds.com

North Georgia Mountain Campground

Campgrounds at Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds

Scattered throughout the beautiful Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds are 207 camping and RV sites that offer modern conveniences such as water, electricity, telephone and internet.  There are 92 sites in the first area and 115 paved sites, open year-round, in the second area. Most sites offer beautiful views of Lake Chatuge, and campers can take advantage of the Fairgrounds' many amenities including a playground, boat ramp, paved playing courts, full time Park Ranger/Security Guard, shaded picnic tables and the Hamilton Rhododendron Gardens.

706-896-4191   •  96 Pavilion Road • Hiawassee GA 30546  •  Campgrounds at Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds

Gardens in Hiawassee Georgia

Hamilton Gardens at Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds

The Gardens are located on a gentle hillside on Lake Chatuge in Hiawassee Georgia. Plants, both native and hybrid, sit quietly along 20 acres of majestic walking trails, spilling over as if to greet you with warmth and color.

The Rhododendron Festival at Hamilton Gardens takes place from mid-April to mid-May, everything will be in bloom, showing colors even an artist dreams about! Hundreds of varieties, and as many as 1,500 rhododendrons and azaleas create a magnificent backdrop for many other equally beautiful plants. Come take a stroll and feel the beauty and peace surrounding you.

Open Every Day 8:00 am - Dusk
96 Pavilion Road  •  Hiawassee, GA 30546  •  706-896-4191  •  Hamilton Gardens

Real Estate North Georgia Mountains

Tim Noland, Realtor® - Buyer's Agent • North Georgia & Western North Carolina

When looking to buy mountain property, you need someone that not only understands the mountains, you need someone that specifically represents you, the buyer. When you choose to work with a Buyer's Agent you are assured that you have an agent that is truly looking for your best interests, someone that will not only find what you are looking for, but someone that will negotiate the best price possible.

10886 Old Hwy 64  West •  Brasstown, NC 28902  •  828.557.1009  •  GreatMtnRealEstate.com

White Water Rafting Mountains

Rafting on the Ocoee River

The Ocoee River is often described as the roller coaster of the southeast. Come experience what has been called the greatest white water center in the world.

Professional river outfitter with over 30 years experience. Our safety record is unsurpassed in the industry. We believe our staff is simply the best in the business. Guides are chosen for their character and enthusiasm for sharing the outdoors with you.

Call today to start your adventure...828-835-3275  •  GreatMtnAdventures.com

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Rafting on the Nantahala River

Experience this unforgettable whitewater adventure through the gorge. The Nantahala is exciting, and a great time, but not as wild as the Ocoee.  This is a river that you can bring children on as young as seven years old.

Experience the excitement of Patton's Run, the fun and splash of Tumble Dry, the rush and roar of riding Class III Nantahala Falls. For a bigger thrill, try taking one of our Duckies down the river!

Call today to start your adventure...828-835-3275  •  GreatMtnAdventures.com

Zipline Canopy Tours

Zip Line Canopy Tours...Nantahala Gorge • Chattooga Ridge • Asheville • Pigeon River

Whichever course you choose you are sure to enjoy the newest outdoor adventure to hit the US.

All our courses offer a soaring and gliding experience naturally fueled by a gradual drop in elevation. All trips offer fully guided tours with 2 or more Rangers on at least 10 zips, 4 bridges beginning with a training course at each location.

Call today to start your adventure...828-835-3275  •  GreatMtnAdventures.com

 

Guided Fishing Trips

Trout Treks • Bass Fishing • Wade • Pan Fishing • Fly Fishing • Private Trophy Trout Waters • Drift Boat Trips

Great mountain adventures is offering the "Best Fishing" available in the Mountains. We create a fishing trip, designed specifically towards your needs with a professional fishing guide to guide you to make the most of your fishing adventure on the Finest Lakes, Rivers and Streams in the Southern Appalachians!

So much water to choose from and an adventure you'll never forget.

Call today to start your adventure...828-835-3275  •  GreatMountainFishing.com

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