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Northeast Georgia Mountains Driving Tour
This driving tour includes the following northeast Georgia
mountains towns:
Cleveland, Helen, Batesville, Sautee, Clarkesville, Clayton, Mountain City, Sky
Valley, Lakemont, Tallulah Falls and Cornelia.
Below, is a map of the driving tour. The numbers in the red circles correspond
with the written description of the attractions. The written tour
description is below the map. Please click on the map to your right to open a
printable version of this map. |

Click here or on image above for printable map. |
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1. Historic White County
Courthouse
Built in 1859 and features a folk life exhibit, revolving displays, research
library and gift shop. Open to the public. On the square (Cleveland). |
2. Mt. Yonah
White County 's tallest mountain at 3,156 feet. Named for bear killer, Chief "Gadalulu",
Yonah is a Cherokee word meaning bear. GA Hwy. 75 N (Cleveland). |
3. Sautee-Nacoochee Indian Mound
Resting place of two tragic young lovers from warring Cherokee and Chickasaw
tribes. Built by mound builders in 10,000 B.C. Intersection of GA Hwys. 17 & 75
S (Helen). |
4. Unicoi State Park
Campground, hiking trails, 3-acres lake with beach, world class mountain bike
trail, fishing and year round special programs. GA 356 (Helen). Information
706-878-2201 |
5. Anna Ruby Falls
Spectacular set of twin waterfalls. Gift shop, restrooms, deck overlooks school
of trout and .4 mile paved path to observation deck. Off GA Hwy. 356 N (Helen).
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6. Alpine Helen-White County
A Bavarian-style village on the headwaters of the Chattahoochee River. Quaint
gingerbread and mural trimmed shops on cobblestone alleyways. Activities include
an amusement park, museums, trolley car & carriage rides, golfing, tubing,
horseback riding and mountain biking , and hiking. Annual fall Oktoberfest.
Antique, Indian, Art, & Crafts Shops, as well as, a Factory Outlet Mall. Welcome
Center at 726 Brucken Strasse (Helen). 706-878-2181 |
7. Nacoochee Village
A collection of turn-of-the-century buildings housing Nora Mill (historic water
powered grist mill), Unicoi Outfitters (a fly shop with trophy fly fishing
water), Wildwood Outfitters (outdoor gear shop featuring raft and canoe trips),
Millstone Stables (trail, pony and hayrides), Nacoochee Antique Mall (antiques,
collectibles and café) and Habersham Winery (self-guided wine tours and wine
tastings). 706-878-9463 |
8. Stovall Covered Bridge
Georgia 's smallest covered bridge, circa 1895. Kingpost design, one span wide,
33 feet-long. Featured in movie, "I'd Climb the Highest Mountain ". Picnic area.
GA Hwy. 17 E (Sautee).
706-878-2181 |
9. Born Again Treasures Antique
Warehouse and Art Gallery
Your senses will take delight when you walk through this huge warehouse filled
with charming antiques. Just 7 miles south of Helen on State Hwy. 17
(Clarkesville). 706-839-1580 |
10. Historic Clarkesville
Refurbished downtown square filled with antiques, craft, art galleries and
restaurants. Turn of the century architecture throughout town. Walking and
driving tour brochures available at Hospitality Center on square.
(Clarkesville). 706-778-4654 |
11. Lake Burton
1867 feet above sea level. 2,775-acre Georgia Power lake with 62 miles of
shoreline. Boating, camping, picnicking, public beach, marina and fishing.
706-782-4014 |
12. Lake Burton Trout Hatchery
Raceways filled with trout. Visitors welcome. Call in advance to book group
tours and programs. Kids fishing pond for children 11 and under. GA Hwy. 197 N
(Batesville). 706-947-3112 |
13. Moccasin Creek State Park
Known as the park "where spring spends the summer". Located on beautiful Lake
Burton . Easy access to area boating, trout stream and lake fishing, the
Chattahoochee National Forest and nearby towns. Information 706-947-3194
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14. Tallulah River Recreation Area
Scenic drive and great trout fishing. On Persimmon Road off U.S. Hwy. 76 W
(Clayton) |
15. Timpson Cove Beach
White sand beach, picnic area and restrooms. Charlie Mountain Road off
U.S. Hwy 76 W (Clayton) |
16. Black Rock Mountain State Park
Straddling the Eastern Continental Divide at an elevation of 3640 feet, Black
Rock Mountain is Georgia 's highest state park. Numerous scenic overlooks
provide visitors with outstanding vistas of mountain ranges in four states. The
1803-acre park offers camping, hiking, picnicking, rental cottages, playground
and a 17-acre fishing lake. Black Rock Road ( Mountain City ). Information
706-746-2141 |
17. Foxfire Museum
Self-guided tour of museum containing handmade household items and tools common
to life in the Southern Appalachians generations ago. Books, gifts, folk art
sales. U.S. Hwy. 441 (Mountain City). |
18. The Hambidge Center
Folk art gallery. M-Sa 10-4. Artist colony providing 2-8 week residences with
private cottages and studios. Grist mill and hiking trails on property. Betty's
Creek Road (Dillard). |
19. Rabun County
Anchored by the Blue Ridge Mountains and wrapped in Southern Appalachian
Heritage. Outdoor adventure abounds, with three state parks, three mountain
lakes and rafting on the "wild & scenic" Chattooga River. From folk art
galleries, museums, and flea markets to golf, tennis, and horseback riding, all
are waiting to be explored. For information call 706-782-4812. U.S. Hwy. 441 N
(Clayton). |
20. Bartram Trail
First blazed by Quaker naturalist William Bartram over 200 years ago.
Approximately 40 miles marked with yellow and black signs. Trail maps at Rabun
County Welcome Center. |

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21. Chattooga River
Nationally designated as a "wild & scenic" river due to the absence of houses,
power lines and development. The river borders the Georgia and South Carolina
state lines. A short walk will enable you to see Bull Sluice Falls , a class IV
rapid. U.S. Hwy. 76 E (Clayton). 706-782-3320 |
22. Lake Rabun Beach
On 835-acre Lake Rabun; spectacular mountain scenery. Electrical and water
hookup sites available. Picnicking, swimming, fishing and near-by camping. Lake
Rabun Road. 706-782-3320 |
23. Tallulah Gorge State Park
This 3,000-acre state park is one of Georgia 's seven natural wonders. Tallulah
Gorge, almost 1,100 feet deep has five cascading waterfalls. The Interpretive
Center with exhibits, displays and an award-winning feature film. Campground,
swimming beach, lighted tennis courts, hiking trails, mountain biking trails, &
picnicking. U.S. Hwy. 441 N ( Tallulah Falls ). Information 706-754-7970 |
24. Tallulah Point Overlook
A mountain tradition since the 1920's, offering the best and only free roadside
view of Tallulah Gorge. |
25. Panther Creek Recreation Area
Hike a 3.5-mile trail by Panther Creek to largest waterfall in Habersham County
. Picnic tables and restrooms. Old U.S. 441 S (Tallulah Falls). |
26. Habersham County
In the early 1900's, wealthy coastal merchants made Habersham their retreat from
the heat and humidity of the coast. The Blue Ridge Mountains, the Soque River,
and the Chattahoochee National Forest provide the inspiration for the beautiful
artwork and crafts found in shops & galleries throughout the county, as well as,
recreational opportunities from hiking & canoeing to horseback riding & mountain
biking. A self-guided driving tour of the county shows off some of the many
historical buildings that give Habersham its old world charm and ambiance. 668-A
Clarkesville Street (Cornelia). 706-778-4654, 800-835-2559 |
27. Big Red Apple
World's largest apple monument (5,200 pounds) dedicated to the apple growing
industry that once thrived in this area. Big Red Apple Festival is in
October. (Cornelia). |
28. Lake Russell Wildlife Management Area
Activities include public hunting, fishing, hiking, primitive camping and 18
miles of hiking and horseback trails. (Cornelia). 770-535-5700. Off U.S.
Hwy. 123 N on Lake Russell Road #59. |