Hiking Project Logo

The Benton MacKaye Trail section from Bryson Gap to GA Hwy 60.


Your Rating: Rating Rating Rating Rating Rating      Clear Rating
Your Difficulty:
Your Favorites: Add To-Do · Your List
Zoom in to see details
Map Key

6.4

Miles

10.3

KM

Point to Point

2,911' 887 m

High

1,966' 599 m

Low

779' 238 m

Up

1,615' 492 m

Down

7%

Avg Grade (4°)

25%

Max Grade (14°)

Dogs Leashed

Features Commonly Backpacked · Views

Section Of

Need to Know

For more information, visit the Benton MacKaye Trail Association's website.

Description

Points of Interest along this Section: The 260 foot suspension footbridge over the Toccoa River is a crown jewel of the BMT. It was built in 1977 through the efforts of the BMTA, the US Forest Service, and the Georgia Appalachian Trail Association. It is an attraction for the entire area and a frequent destination for local residents. Said to be the longest suspension bridge in Georgia, it is quite an engineering feat since the Toccoa River can have high and forceful floods. Look for some great overlooks from Toonowee (or “Tooni”) Mountain as well.

Trail Description: From Bryson Gap at mile 11.9 (WP 25, 2900’), the trail heads a short distance down the NW side of the gap on an old lumber road, then shortly bears away from the road up the right bank. Be careful not to miss this turn or you may hike a long distance in the wrong direction until you discover the folly of your ways. This section of trail follows the west flank of Little John Dick Mountain then reaches a gap on the north flank of the mountain. From here the trail follows the ridgeline on a fairly level grade all the way to the ridge just above the Toccoa River suspension bridge. Just before the bridge at mile 14.5, the trail crosses gated FS 333 (WP 34). The bridge is at mile 14.7 (WP 35, 1920’). At mile 14.9, a short side trail to the west takes you to a parking area at the end of FS 816 providing easy access to the area of the bridge. The trail climbs up over Toonowee Mountain (2720’) and down the other side to GA 60 at mile 18.2 (WP 36, 2028’) and the Little Skeenah Creek crossing

Campsites: Camping is available at Bryson Gap (WP 25, 2900’) and at a couple of small waterless LNT campsites along the ridgeline. The first is at mile 13.1 (WP 37), the second at mile 13.5 (WP 38). Several large campsites are available by the suspension bridge over the Toccoa River, large enough to accommodate a Scout troop. After passing the bridge, there are no campsites over Toonowee Mountain until you reach Little Skeenah Creek crossing at GA 60 at mile 18.2 (WP 36, 2028’).

Water Sources: Ample water is available at Bryson Gap (WP 25, A), the spring below the suspension bridge on the south side (A) and not much anywhere else.

Note: Little Skeenah Creek and the Toccoa River have chicken farms upstream and water from this creek may not be good for drinking even if sterilized. However, there

Contacts

Shared By:

Richard Harris

Trail Ratings

  4.0 from 3 votes

#11500

Overall
  4.0 from 3 votes
5 Star
33%
4 Star
33%
3 Star
33%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Trail Rankings

#202

in Georgia

#11,500

Overall
154 Views Last Month
7,538 Since Feb 14, 2019
Intermediate Intermediate

0%
0%
100%
0%
0%
0%

Photos

Toccoa Swinging Bridge - Photo Credit Samantha Smith Taylor.
Dec 15, 2016 near Blue Ridge, GA
Crossing the creek with the BMTA blaze beckoning.
Jun 20, 2020 near Cherry Log, GA
Toccoa Hanging Bridge aids your passage over the Toccoa River.
Mar 10, 2017 near Blue Ridge, GA
Suspension Bridge
Aug 6, 2019 near Cherry Log, GA
The Georgia Death Race travels along excellent singletrack trails.
Mar 10, 2017 near Blue Ridge, GA
Swinging Bridge at Toccoa River, GA.
Mar 21, 2019 near Cherry Log, GA
loading

Weather


Current Trail Conditions

All Clear 36 days ago
Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Stewarded By

Join the Community

Create your FREE account today!
Already have an account? Login to close this notice.

Get Started.