Unicoi Gap to Brasstown Bald

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Unicoi Gap to Brasstown Bald

The Basics:

Event Type:

Hike

Event Location:

Unicoi Gap

Date(s) & Time:

Sat, Oct 3 2026 8:30 am >> Sat, Oct 3 2026 5:30 pm

Registration Opens:

Fri, Sep 25 2026 5:50 pm

Registration Cut Off:

Fri, Oct 2 2026 6:00 pm

Event Duration:

9 Hours

Difficulty Rating:

D6: Advanced

Distance:

20 Miles

Pace:

Moderate

Trip Leader(s):

Pam M

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Member Cost:

None

Participant Info:

Who's Invited:

Members Only, 21 And Older Only

Maximum Group Size:

Minimum Group Size:

Number Registered So Far:

1 / 0 (To see who's signed up, log in to the Member Area)

Are Dogs Permitted:

Yes

Itinerary:

Join me for an AOC favorite that never gets old. This said 20 miler from Unicoi Gap to the summit of Brasstown Bald, the highest mountain in GA gives you amazing 360 degrees views and a sense of accomplishment.

Starting from Unicoi Gap, we hike approx 4.4 miles on the AT (Appalachian Trail) to Chattahoochee Gap. From Chattahoochee Gap, we will hang right leaving the AT and onto the Jacks Knob Trail. This will take us 4.5 miles to the Brasstown Bald parking lot giving us approx. 2000 feet of total ascent.

From the parking lot, we will take the Brasstown Bald paved trail .6 miles for a 400 feet elevation up to the summit and the observation platform for outstanding views! We'll have lunch here.

After lunch, we will return the same way we came.

We can refill our water at Brasstown Bald. Also, if you have never seen the spring at Chattahoochee Gap, we can check it out.

Highlights:
Unicoi Gap to Chattahoochee Gap - 4.4 miles, ~1600 feet total ascent
Chattahoochee Gap to Brasstown Bald parking- 4.5 miles, ~2000 feet total ascent
Brasstown Bald trail .6 miles to Brasstown Bald -.6 miles, ~400 feet ascent
Brasstown Bald to Brasstown Bald parking lot - .6 miles
Brasstown Bald parking lot to Chattahoochee Gap- 4.5 miles, ~1000 feet total ascent
Chattahoochee Gap to Unicoi Gap - 4.4 miles, ~900 feet total ascent

Total: ~20 miles, ~6000 feet of ascent

This is a strenuous hike and only for advanced hikers with recent experience of hiking 15 or more miles in the mountains. We will be trying to maintain a moderate pace of 2.3mph while hiking.

Should bad weather persist, the hike will be rescheduled. There is no carpool for this event. Feel free to coordinate amongst yourselves.

Required Items to Bring:

3 liters of water
Snacks/lunch
Hiking boots/shoes
Headlamp in case the sun sets prior to return to Unicoi Gap
Emergency rain gear

Recommended Items to Bring:
Use our Event Checklists to make sure you have everything you need.

Trekking poles
Camera
Change of shoes and shirt for drive back

How to Get There:

Event Directions:

When coming from I-85N, take GA Hwy 211N, Hwy 53W, I-985N and US-23N to GA-52W for 34 miles

Continue on GA-52 W to Clermont for 11 miles

Continue on US-129 N. Take GA-75Alt S ti GA-17 N/GA-75 N for 27.3 miles

Parking lot will be on your right

Notes:

* We encourage all members to follow our Etiquette Guidelines while participating in AOC events.

Cancellation/Partial Attendance: Please review the AOC cancellation policy.

Registration for this event opens at 9/25/2026 5:50:00 PM