Why You Should Travel Solo to North Georgia

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Not many people realize that Georgia has mountains and even snow! I know, shocking. But the Appalachian Mountains actually begin in Georgia, and the state has some truly beautiful mountains.

The North Georgia mountains are where I took my first solo trip. I was living in Atlanta at the time, so this was a weekend trip dedicated to hiking and nature. I went in late Fall, so it was the perfect time to to explore Georgia more and see the Fall foliage. Below is my itinerary for traveling solo in North Georgia.

Day 1: Gibbs Gardens

I left for my weekend trip on a Friday afternoon, and since the drive wasn’t long, I was able to squeeze in a visit to Gibbs Gardens. One of the nation’s largest residential estate gardens, Gibbs Gardens has 2 sections, the Valley Gardens and Manor House Gardens. I had a limited amount of time here, since I arrived later in the day, but my favorite spots were the wildflower meadow, Japanese gardens bridge, and rose arbor. Bonus Tip: For affordable lodging, I always check Airbnb first. I’ve been able to find some, I’ll just say it, CHEAP places to stay, while still feeling safe and not grossed out. Click here to get $40 off your first Airbnb stay!

Day 2: Springer Mountain, Appalachian Trail

On day 2, my first stop was the Fannin County Chamber of Commerce and visitor’s center. I knew I wanted to go hiking, but wasn’t sure which trail since there are so many options in the area. I was able to get some great advice and chose the beginning stretch of the Appalachian Trail. Since I had just gotten into hiking, I literally only did 1 mile, but I can still say I did some of the A.T.

The road to the trail was very rugged, to say the least, and my compact barely made it. Also, parking is limited, so plan to arrive early. My favorite part of this hike was meeting someone who was finishing his full A.T. hike! It was eye-opening to hear all about his adventures over 6 months while trekking from Maine to Georgia. Bless his heart!

Day 3: Tumbling Water’s Trail, Carters Lake

My final day was spent driving back home, but I did have some time to check out Carters Lake in the Blue Ridge Mountains. It was sprinkling/raining that day, so I had the trail all to myself. I had scenic views of a waterfall, Carters Lake and the surrounding forests, not to mention a towering bridge above it all. Although the rain cut my hike short, it was still a wonderful end to my first solo trip.

I hope my weekend itinerary gives you some ideas on traveling solo either in North Georgia or anywhere close to you. I’d love to hear your favorite spots to visit in Georgia!

Also if you’re wondering how I got pictures of myself while traveling solo, check out my how-to guide on this!

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For days you don’t want or need your hiking boots, but sandals aren’t the best option, opt for comfortable and go-with-anything tennis shoes. My go-to brand is Skechers.