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Yonah Mountain Trail #632

RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Intermediate/Difficult
 4.4 (42)
  1. Areas
  2. GA
  3. …Northern Georgia
  4. Cleveland
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“Enjoy a very nice trail at Yonah Mountain for beginner or intermediate hikers. ”

Human 170716
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Map Key

4.6

Miles

7.4

KM

Out and Back

3,157' 962 m

High

1,740' 530 m

Low

1,471' 448 m

Up

1,471' 448 m

Down

12%

Avg Grade (7°)

38%

Max Grade (21°)

Dogs Leashed

Features Views

Occasionally the mountain will be closed off due to US Army training, but it's not often.

Overview

An out-and-back hike to fabulous views from atop Yonah Mountain.

Need to Know

There are outdoor bathrooms at the bottom of the trail (near the trailhead), as well as near the service road junction.

Description

The main Yonah Mountain Trail starts at the trailhead, available just off Chambers Road in Helen, GA.

The trail starts with a moderate uphill climb, crossing via bridge over a brook at one point. Eventually a set of switchbacks starts, as well as a very neat set of steps that are part of the mountain itself. There are lots of off-trail shortcuts that people have made; please try to avoid the temptation of taking these and stay on the blazed trail. As you climb, there are a few big scrambles up rocks that are in the path, but nothing too difficult.

Eventually, you'll reach the first LZ (landing zone) used occasionally by the US Army—this is a grassy area about two-thirds of the way up the trail (here is also where, if you wanted to do some toprope climbing, you'd take a detour to the right).

From this point, the trail gets significantly steeper. The last third is quite the uphill climb! At least there's no scrambling beyond this point.

Once you get to the outdoor bathrooms, you are at the end of the area managed by the National Park Service. Above this point on the mountain, there are few defined trails, as it is managed solely by the US Army. To reach the summit, follow the road to the right (south). Once at the "peak" (which is really just a grassy area for landing helicopters), you'll have great views of the surrounding area.

Contacts

Land Manager: USFS - Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest

Shared By:

Human 170716
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  4.4 from 42 votes

#1

in Cleveland

#299

Overall
  4.4 from 42 votes
5 Star
55%
4 Star
29%
3 Star
14%
2 Star
2%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#1

in Cleveland

#2

in Georgia

#299

Overall
45 Views Last Month
4,431 Since Apr 3, 2018
Intermediate/Difficult
0%
0%
38%
28%
31%
3%
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Photos

View from Yonah Mountain
Nov 8, 2019 near Cleveland, GA
Cliffs on Yonah Mountain
Nov 8, 2019 near Cleveland, GA
A panorama from the bottom of the rock face.
May 27, 2023 near Cleveland, GA
Looking at a pinnacle on the top of the rock face.
May 27, 2023 near Cleveland, GA
Top of Yonah Mountain
Nov 8, 2019 near Cleveland, GA

1 Comment

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Weather

Current Trail Conditions

All Clear 12 days ago
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Check-Ins

Mar 5, 2023
Tori Davis
4.6mi — 4h 15m
Feb 18, 2023
Mary Anderson
Did this w mom. She struggled but at the slow pace I wasn't even out of breath. Pretty crowded but incredible views and great weather. A little muddy 4.6mi — 3h 45m
Nov 5, 2022
Dana V
5.2mi — 2h 40m
Oct 23, 2022
Ryan Bowman
Used to access climbing routes.
Oct 16, 2022
Daniel daniel.ryan.paulsen@gmail.com
Jun 12, 2022
Lucille Hicks
Nice hike. — 3h 20m
Jun 12, 2022
Robert Ruzzini
Nice hike decent view from the top of you head left from the clearing 4.6mi — 3h 20m
Mar 19, 2022
VAL Farmer
9h 30m

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