Fall Colors With a Twist

There are so many ways to experience fall in the North Georgia Mountains. Here are some unusual experiences that make it all the more special, only in Georgia’s Blue Ridge experience!

Blue Ridge Helicopter Tours

There’s hardly any place on Earth more beautiful than Blue Ridge, Georgia. Rolling mountain vistas, a scenic train route, gorgeous lakes and tumbling waters, what’s not to love? Believe it or not, Blue Ridge gets even more beautiful when viewed from the air with Blue Ridge Helicopter Tours! Take a beautiful aerial adventure through the fall colors that you’ll never forget. Book a trip!

Blue Ridge Scenic Railway Trips & Fall Leaf Excursions

Starting at the historic depot in downtown Blue Ridge, Georgia, riders take a four hour, 26-mile roundtrip journey along the Toccoa River through the North Georgia countryside. The first leg of the adventure takes riders on a one hour trip to the quaint sister towns of McCaysville, Georgia and Copperhill, Tennessee, nestled deep in the mountains on each state’s line. Passengers enjoy all the towns have to offer during a two-hour layover before taking the one-hour return trip through the scenic forest and back to the depot in Blue Ridge, Georgia. Schedule your trip! Be sure to check out their new railbikes! They are pedal assist, 5 1/2 mile round trip, lots of fun. Railbike Info

People sit and pedal rail bikes along the track through the woods in Blue Ridge, GA

Railbikes at Blue Ridge Scenic Railway

Take a Tractor Ride or Stroll Through an Apple Orchard

Nothing like twisting off a fresh apple right off the tree! Pick your own fruit at Mercier Orchards, a 4th generation family & veteran-owned orchard celebrating its 80th year in business. Make memories with your family and take in the beautiful scenery in this 300 acre farm. If you time it right you might be able to pick out a pumpkin as well! Be sure to stroll through the market and pick up some fresh baked goods, jellies and more.

At the Folk Collaborative you can arrange a picnic basket through their market and go find a spot to spread out your blanket and enjoy! For U-pick apples, they provide you a map and the baskets and let you explore. Be sure to walk to the top and look at the beautiful view of the Cohutta Mountains. Don't leave without stopping in the cafe to get a warm bowl of their soup of the day, it is always amazing.

Local Advice - While in the area of The Folk Collaborative plan an extra few hours to take a drive through the Cohutta Mountain Range for excellent views and colors. This scenic driving tour will guide you though.

Swinging Bridge on Benton MacKaye Trail

Discovery Hikes on the Benton MacKaye Trail

Blue Ridge is a designate BMT Trail Town. With its glorious ridgeline views and the innumerable crossings of mountain streams, the almost 300 mile long Benton MacKaye Trail (BMT) (81 miles in North Georgia) makes hiking in the fall, glorious. Nestled in the Southern Appalachian Mountains, the BMT has some of the most varied and abundant wildflowers of any temperate climate forest in the world – and — the variety of tree species is second to none. Whether it’s the creek-side trilliums in the spring, the red-orange of the fall sugar maples at the higher elevations or the unmatched 360 degree views in the winter, the BMT is a visual treat any time of the year. The Benton MacKaye Trail Association and its comprehensive website provide information and planning tips to experience this incredible Blue Ridge hiking and backpacking trail.

Image courtesy Noontootla Creek Farms

Fall Guided Fly Fishing in Blue Ridge

As the Fly Fishing Capital of Georgia, Blue Ridge is host to lots of expert guidance as to how and where to catch the big ones! Hire a local fly fishing guide to learn the art of casting and catching Rainbow, Brown and Brook trout in the gorgeous tumbling creeks and rivers in our area. Fall is an especially beautiful time. In downtown Blue Ridge you can also visit one of the world’s premier makers of custom fly rods, Oyster Bamboo Fly Rods. Here's a listing of our great guide services: Appalachian Anglers, Blue Ridge Fly Fishing School, Cohutta Fishing Company, Fly Fish Blue Ridge, Hulsey Fly Fishing, ,Lake Blue Ridge Outfitters , Noontootla Creek Farms, North Georgia Trout Fishing, On the Fly Excursions, Reel Angling Adventures, Reel’em In Guide Service, Toccoa River Outfitters

Image courtesy Appalachian Trail Rides

Fall Forest Horseback Riding

Ambling through the Blue Ridge fall forests on the back of a powerful, amicable steed is one of the most unusual and unforgettable experiences you can have this autumn. Our many horseback riding outfitters provide all you need… well trained horses, tackle and safety equipment. See Blue Ridge beauty from the back of a horse and you’ll want to do it again and again! Get all the info on horseback riding in Georgia's Blue Ridge.

The Family Fun Adventure Game

Here’s a family activity that combines color with color! Fall color in a kid’s coloring book, that is. You can pick up copies of the Family Fun Adventure Game at our local visitor centers, or download one and print it out at home. Plus print out the individual coloring sheets for even more kid fun. Once you are in Blue Ridge, the 832836 and touring adventure for families, where you drive to scenic spots all around the area and teach kids about the natural environment and beauty that Blue Ridge is famous for.

Download a Scenic Leaf Drives Map

If you want to go out and explore Georgia's Blue Ridge beauty there's a lot to see from a scenic drive in the mountains! Here are 3 suggested driving routes depending upon how much time you have to spend, from a couple hours to all day. Take time to stop at some of the breathtaking vistas and small country attractions as you wind your way around the gorgeous north Georgia mountains in the fall. Click the map and plan your route and you're almost on your way.