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A gorgeous singletrack stretch of southern Appalachia with plenty of elevation gain.


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Map Key

12.3

Miles

19.8

KM

Point to Point

4,144' 1,263 m

High

2,022' 616 m

Low

3,371' 1,027 m

Up

3,287' 1,002 m

Down

10%

Avg Grade (6°)

68%

Max Grade (34°)

Dogs Leashed

Features Fall Colors · River/Creek · Wildlife

Description

The Coosa Backcountry Trail runs through rugged northern Georgia, northwest of Atlanta. It starts in Vogel State Park and then passes through Chattahoochee National Forest and Blood Mountain Wilderness Area. Many trail races and ultras include portions of this trail, including the GA Death March.

The singletrack trail passes through prototypical southern Appalachian forest and gives the hiker some serious, and steep, inclines.

You begin your adventure by heading to Vogel State Park. Head to the visitor center, where a map can be obtained (which can be helpful due to other intersecting trails), and begin to follow the green blazes. Near cabin number 7, there will be a sign guiding you to the right and to the trailhead.

The trailhead is the beginning of both the Coosa Backcountry Trail as well as Bear Hair Gap Trail. The trail follows the creek until it hits a dirt road. From here you can head right or left. This description will cover traveling right, or counter-clockwise.

Shortly after heading right on the dirt road, the green-blazed Coosa Backcountry Trail bears right while the Bear Hair Gap Trail splits to the left. The Coosa climbs to GA 180 (Wolf Pen Gap Rd). Cross 180 and begin to descend to W Wolf Creek where there is a small camp area.

Past the creek, another climb follows, before leveling out and heading to Calf Stomp Rd. Cross the road and climb toward the namesake of the trail, Coosa Bald, which will be on your right. For a time, Duncan Ridge Trail joins in the merriment.

There are some additional steep descents and ascents and a short stint on another dirt road, and you are only now getting to the midway point of this hike. The steepest climb comes after crossing GA 180 for a second time, as you head up the warmly named "Slaughter Mountain".

After the climb, continue to follow the green blazes and the Coosa Backcountry Trail until you rejoin with Bear Hair Gap Trail again, which will take you back to the trailhead with exhausted thighs and soaring spirits.

Contacts

Shared By:

Jason Doedderlein

Trail Ratings

  4.3 from 7 votes

#8442

Overall
  4.3 from 7 votes
5 Star
43%
4 Star
43%
3 Star
14%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Trail Rankings

#138

in Georgia

#8,442

Overall
30 Views Last Month
3,854 Since Apr 8, 2015
Difficult Difficult

0%
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13%
88%
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Photos

Looking backward up the Coosa Backcountry Trail - very steep and rocky incline.
Sep 26, 2022 near Blairsv…, GA
Bear scat along the Duncan Ridge Trail.
Sep 26, 2022 near Blairsv…, GA
Coosa Backcountry Trail through GA hardwood forest
Apr 8, 2015 near Blairsv…, GA
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All Clear 25 days ago
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