Appalachian Trail in Georgia Woody Gap to Neel Gap Big Cedar Mountain, Blood Mountain

This 11.4 mile section of the Appalachian Trail features the highest point along the trail in Georgia at 4461 feet, located at Blood Mountain. There are great views from Big Cedar Mountain as well as two shelters available along this stretch of the AT.

You'll find the large parking areas at Woody Gap as well as Neel Gap crowded on nice weekends, especially in the fall. Both are starting points for two great day hikes along the Appalachian Trail. The first is a short 1.2 mile hike to Big Cedar Mountain from Woody Gap. The second is a longer 2.4 mile hike with an elevation gain of 1400 feet to the highest point along the AT in Georgia on Blood Mountain. According to folk lore, a battle between the Creek and Cherokee Indian Nations on the slopes of the mountain, left so many dead and wounded that the ground ran red with blood, giving Blood Mountain its name. Blood Mountain is the most visited spot along the Appalachian Trail south of Clingmans Dome and the 40,000 visitors per year has taken its toll on the area as well as the shelter located near the summit.

This section of the Appalachian Trail starts at Woody Gap, where the AT crosses GA 60. There are nice views from Woody Gap as well as plenty of parking. The GPS coordinates for the parking is N34 40.665 W83 59.976. You'll find picnic tables and a privy at Woody Gap. At 1.2 miles reach the nice views from Big Cedar Mountain. The trail crosses Dan Gap at 2.3 miles. At 5.4 miles reach Burnett Field Mountain. At 5.7 miles reach Jarrard Gap. A blue blazed trail on your left heads one mile to the USFS Lake Winfield Scott Recreation Area, which offers tent sites. 

At 6.9 miles a blue blazed side trail on the left leads 0.4 miles to the Woods Hole Shelter. This shelter was built in 1998 and is named in honor of the late Tillie & Roy Wood. The Woods operated the Woodshole Hostel near Pearisburg, Virginia. The shelter sleeps seven and has a privy nearby. At 7.0 miles reach Bird Gap and the junction of the blue blazed Freeman Trail. This trail leads 1.7 miles around the south slope of Blood Mountain, bypassing the the high point of the AT in Georgia and the shelter nearby. This trail serves as a bad weather route around Blood Mountain and joins the AT at Neel Gap. 

Numerous trail relocations have been done over the years to try to restore the area due to overuse. At 8.0 miles the trail reaches near Slaughter Gap. Numerous ten sites were built in this area to ease the load of camping on Blood Mountain. A steady climb now to the summit of Blood Mountain. The Blood Mountain Shelter is reached at 8.9 miles. This overused shelter was originally built in 1934 and sleeps eight. There is a privy located nearby. No fires are allowed at this shelter, in fact fires have been banned along the stretch of AT from Slaughter Gap to Neel Gap.

The trail now does a steady descend toward Neel Gap, reaching US 19 & US 129 at 11.4 miles. The trail crosses the highway and reaches Mountain Crossings at Walasi-Yi Center, a full service Outfitter as well as a Hostel. The trail actually travels through the building. You'll find some supplies, stove fuels, showers, coin laundry and possible internet access. A little oasis along the Appalachian Trail. They also hold packages for a small donation. There is parking for nearly fifty cars at Neel Gap. The GPS coordinates are N34 44.108 W83 55.086 for those who have a GPS devise for their vehicle. This section of the AT ends at Neel Gap.

If your planning a thru hike of the AT you should check out the following books to help plan your hike, Appalachian Trail Thru-Hikers' Companion (2017) and Appalachian Trail Data Book (2017). We also suggest checking out Appalachian Trail Guide to North Carolina-Georgia and Appalachian Trail, Springer Mountain to Davenport Gap (National Geographic Trails Illustrated Map) to help plan your Appalachian Trail adventure.

Kiosk along the Appalachian Trail at Woody Gap

View from Big Cedar Mountain

Blood Mountain Shelter

View from Blood Mountain

Appalachian Trail Hiking Guide - Georgia ONLY $6.00 Hiking guide with descriptions and maps for the 78.5 miles the Appalachian Trail travels in Georgia. The guide is broken down by five sections of the AT. The book comes to you delivered as a pdf file via email. Use the buy now button and we will send you the file via email usually within 24 hours of receiving payment. Happy Hiking!

Appalachian Trail in Georgia Woody Gap to Neel Gap ONLY $1.50 Hiking guide with descriptions and maps for just this section of the Appalachian Trail in Georgia. The guide comes to you delivered as a pdf file via email. Use the buy now button and we will send you the file via email usually within 24 hours of receiving payment. Happy Hiking!

Appalachian Trail GPS Tracks for Georgia Get the complete GPS Tracks for the AT in Georgia for ONLY $1.97!  This .gpx file includes waypoints for all trail shelters along the trail in Georgia and many of the official AT parking areas.  Use the BUY NOW button below and we'll send you the file via e-mail!  Happy Hiking! NOTE: Some trail relocation may have occurred, which may not be reflected with our GPS Tracks.  The tracks are very close to the current trail.

We recommend purchasing any of the following books for those looking for more information on hiking the Appalachian Trail in Georgia:

Appalachian Trail Guide to North Carolina-Georgia  
Exploring the Appalachian Trail: Georgia North Carolina Tennessee  
How to Hike the A.T.: The Nitty-Gritty Details of a Long-Distance Trek