Hiking Trails in Murray County, North Georgia Mountains
Emery Creek Trail
Twin waterfalls highlight this trail which follows the path of two major mountain streams. From the lower trailhead, the trail crosses Holly Creek, requiring a difficult forge. it then leads along the banks of Emery Creek and ends at the group camping area atop Grassy Mountain. An outstanding vista of Fort Mountain is available near the mountain top.
Directions: Take
US 411 north from Chatsworth and go 3 miles to Eton. Turn right at the
only traffic light and follow the road which becomes Forest Service Road
18 for 7.5 miles to the trailhead parking area.
Grassy Mountain Tower Trail
The trail begins at the dam on Lake Conasauga and makes a gradual ascend to the old fire tower atop Grassy Mountain. The fire tower stairs remain open for outstanding views of the surrounding countryside. Novice hikers and family groups will enjoy this relativity easy trail. 2.0 miles.
Directions: Take
US 411 north from Chatsworth and go 3 miles to Eton. Turn right at the
only traffic light and follow the road, which becomes Forest Service
Road 18 for 10.4 miles. Turn left, staying on Forest Service Road 68
and travel 5.5 miles. Turn right, park in the Lake Conasauga picnic or
boating parking lots, and walk to the trailhead on the dam.
Iron Mountain Trail
Beginning at the Cottonwood Patch camping area, the trail fords the Conasauga River and passes through grassy wildlife clearing as it gradually ascends to a forest opening for a spectacular view of the rugged Cohutta Mountains. The trail continues over rolling terrain t its end on Forest Service Road 1.
Directions: Take
US 411 north from Chatsworth and go 12.3 miles to Cisco. Turn right onto
Old GA 2 and proceed 8.1 miles to the trailhead in the Cottonwood Patch
camping area.
Lake Conasauga Trail
Encircling the highest lake in Georgia, the trail connects fishing spots, camping areas and picnic sites. this trail is ideal for short family hikes. 1.2 miles.
Directions: Take
US 411 north from Chatsworth and go 3 miles to Eton. Turn right at the
only traffic light and follow the road, which becomes Forest Service
Road 18 for 10.4 miles. Turn left, staying on Forest Service Road 68
and travel 5.7 miles to the T-intersection. Turn left, staying on Forest
Service Road 68, and travel 5.5 miles. park either in the Lake Conasauga picnic or boating parking lots.
Milma Creek Trail
The trail connects the Windy Gap Cycle Trail or the top of Grassy Mountain via Windy Gap Cycle Trail or the top of Grassy Mountain via Tibbs Trail. Sections are steep and streams must be forded. 3.8 miles.
Directions: Take
US 411 north from Chatsworth and go 4 miles. Turn left at the only traffic
light and go about 4.3 miles. Turn left on Forest Service Road 218 (Muskrat
Road) and travel 3 miles to the lower trailhead. To reach the upper trailhead,
follow directions to Songbird Trail in this guide, but continue on Forest
Service Road 68 an additional 0.4 mile.
Murray's Lake Trail
The trail provides access to primitive campsites and fishing spots as it encircles a small lake. Observe beaver activity along the trail at the upper end of the lake. This short, easy trail is ideal for young families. 0.9 mile.
Directions: Take
US 411 north from Chatsworth and go 12.3 miles to Cisco. Turn right onto
Old GA 2 and proceed 3.2 miles. Turn right onto Forest Service Road 17
and travel 3.4 miles. Turn left at the Murray's Lake directional sign
and go about 0.8 mile to the parking area.
Rocky Flats Trail
The trail follows a multi-purpose woods road over piney ridges and through hollows of oak and yellow poplar forest. View timber stands in various stages of development from young regenerated stands to mature forest. Openings in the forest canopy offer vistas of Grassy Mountain. This is an excellent beginner trail for mountain bikers and all-terrain vehicle riders. 5 miles.
Directions: Take
US 411 north from Chatsworth and go 6 miles. Turn right on Grassy Street
and proceed across the railroad tracks to the T intersection. Turn right,
go about 300 feet, and turn left onto Forest Service Road 630. travel
about 4 miles to the second Rocky Flats Road sign and turn right. Limited
parking is available across the creek.
Songbird Trail
An abundance of wildflowers greets hikers along this interpretive loop trail as it meanders through the Songbird Management Area. Follow the trail around the active beaver pond and through a variety of habitat types offering excellent birding opportunities. Leading out over the beaver swamp, a boardwalk and observation platform offer a different perspective of the Songbird Area. The trail is designed for all age groups to use and enjoy. The Grassy Mountain Tower Trail merges with this trail for a short distance.
Directions: Take US 411 north from Chatsworth and go 3 miles to Eton. Turn right at the only traffic light and follow the road, which becomes Forest Service Road 18 for 10.4 miles. Turn left, staying on Forest Service Road 68 and travel 5.5 miles. Turn right, park in the Lake Conasauga picnic or boating parking lots, and walk to the trailhead on the dam. Then continue straight on Forest Service Road 68 additional 0.4 mile to the Songbird trail parking area.
Sumac Creek Trail
The long distance double loop trail offers both the challenge of steep ascents and descents and the ease of flat double track travel. From high, narrow ridge lines, trail users will drop into the rugged Sumac Creek drainage three times. 12.5 miles.
Directions: Take US 411 north from Chatsworth and go 12.3 miles to Cisco. Turn right onto Old GA 2 and proceed 3.2 miles. Turn right onto Forest Service Road 17 and travel 2.1 miles to the trailhead parking area.
Tibbs Trail
The trail follows a multi-purpose woods road beginning atop Grassy Mountain and ending at a gate near private land. A second gate is located about 1 mile below the trailhead. The trail descends a steep ridge leading down the mountain through managed timber stands of pine and hardwood. Openings in the forest offer exceptional vistas of distant mountain ranges. 5 miles.
Directions: Take US 411 north from Chatsworth and go 3 miles to Eton. Turn right at the only traffic light and follow the road which becomes Forest Service Road 18 for 10.4 miles. Turn left on Forest Service Road 68 and go 5.7 miles to the intersection. Turn left, staying on Forest Service Road 68 and travel 5.4 miles to the trailhead across from the entrance to Lake Conasauga Loop B campground.
Windy Gap Cycle Trail
Beginning as a multi-purpose woods road, the trail eventually changes to a narrow, steep pathway as it climbs 2,000 feet to the top of Forest Service Road 68. Follow the trail up a narrow ridge line and ford a high mountain stream to complete the trip. Much of the trail is steep, narrow, and rocky. 4.1 miles.
Directions: Take US 411 north from Chatsworth and go 4 miles to Eton. Turn right at the only traffic light and go about 4.3 miles. Turn left on Forest Service Road 218 (Muskrat Road) and travel 3 miles to the lower trail head. To reach the upper trailhead, follow directions to Songbird Trail, but continue on Forest Service Road 68 and additional 0.4 mile.
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