3 minute read
TRAIL GUIDE TO RABUN COUNTY GEORGIA
By Sean “Run Bum” Blanton (NE Georgia)
Rabun County, Georgia Trail Running Guide
By a native and life long Georgian
For decades most Floridians and Atlantans passed through Rabun county, Georgia en route to Asheville or the smokies Rabun County has been the avid hiker and now trail runners dream Endless trails with no one on them Rabun County is the North Eastern Most county Georgia Tucked between North Carolina and South Carolina boarders it is famous for Talluah Gorge, the Chattooga River and the city of Clayton. Mountains and farm land. Two thirds of this county is public land which means it will never be developed. You should consider making this place your next home.
Where to run and when:
Tallulah Gorge State Park
There are about 8 miles of trails here which make more as one of the major trails is an out and back.
From the visitors center you can head over to the gorge itself. There are 10 or so view points you can see along the rim of it. You can then drop down into the gorge and head across to the other side It is a big dip of 300-400 ft down on stairs and the same back up not he other side IF you want to visit the floor of the gorge you can do so as well You just need to stop by the visitors center and get a permit These are limited so call ahead
The trail that goes down to the lake is an old road bed and kind of borning minus the EPIC views of lake Tugalo These are only possible because of an out of control controlled burn that went array some years back.
IF you’re the average runner seeing the gorge views and the waterfalls within it as you go from one side to the other should suffice. If you want to really see the whole park go down to the lake and back. Its all downhill out and all uphill back. Bring water if its warm.
When: Year round. In the summer months going down to the lake will likely be very overgrown and hot.
by: Molly Harris
By: Sean Blanton
EXPLORING THE WONDERS OF NORTH GEORGIA
My favorite trail is the 120 ish mile Bartram Trail which goes right over the 2nd highest peak in the state, Rabun Bald. At almost 4800 it has a prominence of just over 2,000 ft off its East side. There is an old forest Service fire tower up there with a 360 degree view of 3 states. THIS IS THE VIEW!
There are 3 ways to summit the mountain via trail. The first is a 1.7 mile one-way 1100 ft climb or so from Beegum Gap. The second is to go 14 5 miles one way from Warmwoman Dell in a massive yet beautiful net climb entirely on the Bartram Trail You will pass Martin Branch Falls, a turn-off to Pinnacle Knob (definitely worth a visit), and other viewpoints. The final way is to climb up the BRUTIFUL Rabun Bald Trail from Hale Ridge Road. This is a 3.4-ish mile climb with 2200 ft gain. The first 2.5 miles aren’t too bad however the last 1/2 mile the trail goes 30% grade plus and requires some on all 4s. This is also on our Sky to Summit 50k / 25k every October when the leaves are turning.
