Our Planet

Georgia federal lawmakers backing Benton MacKaye Trail as new National Scenic Trail

By Dave Williams
3. Springer Mountain, Georgia to the North Carolina Border. Mileage: 78.1 Difficulty: Strenuous Trailhead access: Access the trail at Amicalola Falls State Park, even though it adds 8.8 miles on the Approach Trail to the start of the A.T. There’s a visitor center there as well as long-term parking. If you want to start closer, you can park at Springer Mountain parking lot, a dirt lot on USFS 42 with a 14-day limit. There’s no parking or road crossing at the Georgia-North Carolina border. Use Deep Gap, which is off a USFS road about seven miles past the state line to access the northern terminus of this section. Best Time To Go: After mid-April. The trail is extremely busy with thru-hikers starting their adventure from February through mid-April. Why we like it: Hike through mountain laurel, up and down gentle grassy peaks, through shady stands of oak, and tunnels of rhododendrons on the southern-most section of the A.T. Here, you’ll be on one of Georgia’s most popular hikes—Blood Mountain—along the first 30 miles of trail. Check out the historic CCC cabin at the top. At the southern terminus of the Appalachian Trail, grab a photo by the bronze summit plaque that marks the final, southernmost white blaze. As a side route, explore the Benton MacKaye Trail (an original section of the A.T.) which is just a half-mile from the Springer Mountain summit.
3. Springer Mountain, Georgia to the North Carolina Border. Mileage: 78.1 Difficulty: Strenuous Trailhead access: Access the trail at Amicalola Falls State Park, even though it adds 8.8 miles on the Approach Trail to the start of the A.T. There’s a visitor center there as well as long-term parking. If you want to start closer, you can park at Springer Mountain parking lot, a dirt lot on USFS 42 with a 14-day limit. There’s no parking or road crossing at the Georgia-North Carolina border. Use Deep Gap, which is off a USFS road about seven miles past the state line to access the northern terminus of this section. Best Time To Go: After mid-April. The trail is extremely busy with thru-hikers starting their adventure from February through mid-April. Why we like it: Hike through mountain laurel, up and down gentle grassy peaks, through shady stands of oak, and tunnels of rhododendrons on the southern-most section of the A.T. Here, you’ll be on one of Georgia’s most popular hikes—Blood Mountain—along the first 30 miles of trail. Check out the historic CCC cabin at the top. At the southern terminus of the Appalachian Trail, grab a photo by the bronze summit plaque that marks the final, southernmost white blaze. As a side route, explore the Benton MacKaye Trail (an original section of the A.T.) which is just a half-mile from the Springer Mountain summit. Jordan Bowman / Appalachian Trail Conservancy

U.S. Sens. Raphael Warnock, D-Ga., and Thom Tillis, R-N.C., introduced legislation Thursday to launch a feasibility study aimed at designating the Benton MacKaye Trail as a National Scenic Trail.

The Benton MacKaye Trail, named in honor of a 20th century forester and conservationist, runs for 280 miles from Springer Mountain in the North Georgia mountains into Tennessee and North Carolina. It is considered a sister trail to southern portions of the better known Appalachian Trail.

“More than simply initiating a new federal walking path through our natural environment, this bill is an investment in our nation’s forests and green spaces, a bridge connecting communities, and a powerful catalyst for our rural economies,” Warnock said.

“By preserving the natural beauty of our landscapes, we help protect the planet for future generations to enjoy.”

The trail has been protected and maintained by a volunteer association since 1980. Completion of the proposed feasibility study would allow Congress to add it to the National Trails System, improving mobility for hikers and more leisurely walkers through the mountainous three-state region.

A companion bill was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives Thursday by cosponsors including Reps. Lucy McBath, D-Marietta, and Nikema Williams, D-Atlanta.

This story was originally published May 17, 2024 at 5:00 AM with the headline "Georgia federal lawmakers backing Benton MacKaye Trail as new National Scenic Trail."

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