Читать книгу Afoot & Afield: Atlanta. 108 Spectacular Outings in North-Central Georgia онлайн

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While the granite slabs at Panola hold almost hidden treasures, you can find grand displays of nature in the mountains of north Georgia. Spanning nearly the entire northern portion of the state, the Chattahoochee National Forest covers 750,000 acres with lofty peaks, deep river ravines, and broad, green valleys. Within the national forest, there are wildlife management areas devoted to conserving habitat, as well as parks that preserve the state’s most impressive features, such as the 2-mile-long and thousand-foot-deep Tallulah Gorge. Of the hundreds of miles of trails in north Georgia, there’s a hike to suit every desire. You can take a brief walk through an exotic forest of rhododendrons and mountain laurels to a roaring waterfall, or shoulder a daypack for a vigorous trek to Georgia’s highest point at 4,784 feet. If you’re new to backpacking, places such as Vogel State Park provide easy access to backcountry trails that are perfect for an overnight trip. The Appalachian Trail (AT) in Georgia has several access points, allowing you to hike a section in a weekend, while experienced hikers can string together a multiday journey along the AT or hike other long trails such as the Benton MacKaye.