Length: 20 Miles, with sections that will make suitable shorter day hikes- including a section down the road from Long Mountain Lodge.
This is almost-holy ground to hikers... the start of the Appalachian Trail!
Two plaques at the start (or end) of the trail marks the southern terminus for the "First Trail." Excellent views from the top of Springer Mountain, especially to the west. Two-tenths of a mile north of the start (all mileage is courtesy Georgia Appalachian Trail Club) is Springer Mountain Shelter with a reliable spring. A few steps north of that the Benton MacKaye leaves to the right, following the original route of the AT in this area. From here the trail slopes down to Forest Service Road 42, where many people park and walk to the top of Springer Mountain (this portion of the trail makes an excellent day hike). Passed the parking area the trail is level, and the Benton MacKaye rejoins the AT. At mile 2.5 is the Stover Creek Shelter, to the left down an old logging road. The AT follows this logging road to the right as it parallels Stover Creek for the next mile or so.
On the trail at Woody Gap
Mile 4.1 is known as Three Forks. Stover, Long and Chester Creeks are cool mountain streams that merge to form Noontootla Creek in the midst of a white pine, hemlock and rhododendron forest. Stover has meandered by your side earlier, and Chester passes under you at Three Forks. The AT now follows Long Creek up to Long Creek Falls. Here the trail gradually ascends an unnamed mountain. The ascent is so gradual that hikers are surprised when Long Creek runs 50-80 below them.
This section of the trail has been relatively easy. The Benton MacKaye Trail leaves the AT a few steps after Long Creek Falls. This also marks the start of Georgia's Duncan Ridge Trail, perhaps the most challenging hike in the state. Shortly after the junction the AT winds past a Hickory Flat Cemetery and Hickory Flat Church.
The trail continues past Hawk Mountain (shelter at 7.6) to Hightower Gap. Hightower is probably a corruption of the word "itawa," an American Indian word for town. This marks what we have always considered the halfway point for the first section (its about two miles short of the actual halfway point) and F. S. 42 can be used for access. From here to Gooch Gap the trail is notably tougher, passing into the more mountainous climes of Lumpkin County. It is this portion of the trail that earns the footpath a "hard" rating. After climbing Sassafras Mountain, you are getting in close proximity of Long Mountain Lodge... the trail descends down WINDING STAIR GAP (the name of one of the suites at Long Mt Lodge, as this mountain provides a beautiful view out the suite's window!) to meet our old friend, F. S. 42. Two more times in this area the path will climb mountains only to descend to a gap it shares with this road. Just before meeting F.S. 42 once again, Gooch Gap Shelter is off to the left.
The next 4 miles of the trail, from Gooch Gap to Woody Gap are heavily traveled by day hikers. This portion of the hike is less difficult than the portion from Hightower Gap to Gooch Gap. This is a great option for a day hike when staying at Long Mountain Lodge!
