City Escape: Atlanta

A scenic jaunt through the southern Appalachians and rural northern Georgia, this route contains an abundance of natural beauty. The best times to go are April to June and September to November.

Length

Approximately 226 miles

Meet-up Spot

Starbucks, 12330 Crabapple Rd, Alpharetta, GA.

Lunch Stop

Hofer’s of Helen Bakery & Café, 8758 North Main St, Helen, GA. (706) 878-8200.

Scenery

From the road, the views are dominated by rural farmland and thick forest, but more expansive views can be found close by.

Traffic

Traffic can be heavy going in and out of Atlanta but thins out north of the city.

Difficulty

The northern part of the route contains some tight curves and moderately technical riding.

Road Conditions

Mostly well-paved, two-lane roads.

Attractions

Ellijay, GA
Home to the annual Georgia Apple Festival (in October).

Blue Ridge Lake
Beautiful mountain lake nestled in the heart of the Chattahoochee National Forest.

Amicalola Falls
Also located in the Chattahoochee National Forest, the 729-foot Amicalola Falls gets its name from the Cherokee for “tumbling waters.”

Vogel State Park and Museum
Established in the 1930s, Vogel is one of Georgia’s oldest state parks, and at 2,500 feet, one of its highest as well.

Helen, GA
Once a thriving logging town, Helen reinvented itself as a replica of a Bavarian alpine community.