Hiking Project Logo

Enjoy a very nice trail at Yonah Mountain for beginner or intermediate hikers.


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

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

Shared By:

Human 170716

Trail Ratings

  4.4 from 42 votes

#1

in Cleveland

#309

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

#309

Overall
45 Views Last Month
4,431 Since Apr 3, 2018
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult

0%
0%
38%
28%
31%
3%

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
loading

Weather


Current Trail Conditions

All Clear 36 days ago
Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Join the Community

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

Get Started.