Georgia Pinhoti Trail - the longest foot trail system in Georgia

Turkey Mountain Section GA16

The Georgia Pinhoti Trail

The Georgia Pinhoti Trail (GPT) is the longest foot trail in Georgia. It stretches from the Alabama line in Polk County, Georgia southwest of Cave Spring to the Benton Mackaye Trail deep in the Cohutta District between Ellijay, Blue Ridge, and Chatsworth. The GPT has significant recreational opportunities for those living close to its path but it also has national and international impacts. GPT links to the Alabama Pinhoti, which extends for another 136 miles across the Talladega National Forest. To the north, GPT connects with the Appalachian Trail (AT) via the Benton Mackaye Trail. The AT ties to the International AT in Canada. With approximately 140 miles of road walks between the Conecuh National Forest, which is located just north of the Florida state line, and the Talladega National Forest, it is now possible to walk from South Florida on the Florida Trail System up the eastern side of USA into Canada. As best we can tell about five to ten elite long distance hikers are already making this hike every year. Georgia Pinhoti Trail is also a vital link in the proposed Great Eastern Trail (GET). The proposed Great Eastern Trail southern terminus is Florida and goes through Alabama to Georgia Pinhoti after which it departs northwestern Georgia through Chattanooga, TN to the Cumberland Trail, the PineMountain Trail in Kentucky and on to upstate New York.

Direction to Trailhead

Turkey Mountain Section GA16. From Chatsworth, GA head east on Highway 52 and 2 for 11.9 miles. Pinhoti Trail for Section GA15 leaves highway 0.6 mile east of here at county line sign. There is very limited roadside parking at the county line. For section GA16 continue another 0.8 miles and turn left into Cohutta Overlook. Turkey Mountain Section GA16 begins 800 feet west of the overlook exit.

Mileage

Hiking distance from Cohutta Overlook to Forest Service Road 90 near Holly Creek Gap is 9.6 miles.

Trail Description - South to North

0.0
 Follow trail north from Georgia Highway 2 and 52 (2390’). This point is marked by a large sign and is 800 feet west of the exit road for Cohutta Overlook. Descend on graded trail.
0.5
 Turn right at switchback onto old roadbed.
1.0
 Turn left, uphill, at gap on Murray-Gilmer County Line (2190’).
1.2
 Begin descent by switchbacks in narrow ravines.
1.5
 Cross intermittent stream. Begin ascent by switchbacks.
2.3
 Skirt right of main ridgeline.
2.7
 Cross ridgeline (2300’). Descend below cliffs on north face of Turkey Mountain.
4.2
 Turn right on Forest Service Road 18 at a point 0.2 mile east of Mulberry Gap (1680’).
5.3
 Turn left from Forest Service Road 18 and ascend through cove.
5.6
 Reach ridgeline. Route follows on or near ridgeline for the next two miles.
7.7
 Cross ridgeline in gap between north and south peaks of Double Top. Skirt west slope on wide road.
8.0
 Curve right and cross ridgeline. Skirt north side of Double Top.
8.9
 Turn sharp left into Forest Service Road 90B. Parking area is to right.
9.4
 Turn sharp left into Forest Service Road 90.
9.6
 Reach end of section where Forest Service Road 90 intersects wildlife opening access road ½ mile east of Holly Creek Gap (1830’).
Horses prohibited on this section

Trail Description - North to South

0.0
 Forest Service Road 90 at junction with wildlife opening access road ½ mile east of Holly Creek Gap (1830’). Turn left (southeast) and follow dirt Forest Service Road 90.
0.2
 Turn right onto gated Forest Service Road 90B. Cross stream.
0.7
 Turn sharp right (northwest) on roadbed at barricade. Parking area is straight ahead.
1.1
 Begin skirting north side of Double Top.
1.6
 Curve left to cross ridgeline and skirt west side of Double Top.
1.9
 Cross ridgeline in gap between north and south peaks of Double Top. Follow narrow road on east slope.
4.3
 Turn right onto Forest Service Road 18. Private property borders most of this road.
5.4
 Turn left from road onto trail. Mulberry Gap is 0.2 mile ahead on the Forest Service Road 18. Ascend north face of Turkey Mountain. Pass near base of impressive cliffs.
6.9
 Cross ridgeline (2300’) to south side of Turkey Mountain.
7.3
 Trail briefly comes onto main ridgeline of Turkey Mountain. Descend on switchbacks.
8.1
 Cross intermittent stream. Begin ascent by switchbacks in narrow ravines.
8.4
 Begin descent.
8.6
 Turn right, downhill, at gap on Murray-Gilmer County Line (2190’). Follow old roadbed.
9.1
 Turn left at switchback, leaving old roadbed. Ascend on switchbacks.
9.6
 Georgia Highway 2 and 52 (2390’). This point is marked by a large sign and is 800 feet west of the exit road for Cohutta Overlook. Section GA15 continue right (west) along Georgia Highway 2 and 52.
Horses prohibited on this section

Water: Intermittent streams cross the trail at Mile 1.5 south to north (Mile 7.5 north to south) and Mile 3.1 south to north (Mile 5.8 north to south). There are several stream crossings along the road walk. Water quality should be considered suspicious. A large stream crosses Forest Service Road 90B at Mile 8.7 south to north (Mile 0.3 north to south).

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