Gahuti Backcountry Trail Fort Mountain State Park, GA
miles
LENGTH 8 MILES
DIFFICULTY 13.3 Medium
DURATION 3-5 hours
ELEVATION GAIN
1960
feet
TRAIL TYPE
Loop
Gahuti Backcountry Trail

Hike from soaring views to a cascading waterfall on this tour of Fort Mountain State Park. With constant elevation changes, the 8 mile Gahuti Backcountry Trail really feels it's length. Well maintained and marked with plenty of blazes, enjoy a half day outing at this north Georgia park.

The trail begins at the 10 car capacity Cool Springs trailhead. You can hike this trail in either direction but the park staff recommended hiking clockwise to get the most difficult section out of the way first, with the waterfall and a couple views near the end. Reviewing the elevation graph I'd say it's a wash.

Heading clockwise, the trail makes several short steep climbs. Hike past a campsite and over a couple creek crossings before coming to the first road crossing. This is the only one where the trail isn't obvious on the other side. Look to the left and walk down the road toward the park exit to reconnect with the trail heading down into the woods on the other side.

The trail is easiest between this and the next road crossing just after 4 miles. Throughout the hike you'll intersect with bike paths and other shorter trails. Most have signs and the few that don't are well blazed to keep you on the right path.

The second road crossing marks the half way point. The last half of this hike is more of the same up and down but with a few views through the trees and several cascading waterfalls along Goldmine Creek.

Finish the loop out with a 375 foot climb over a little more than half a mile, the longest constant climb on this hike. You are rewarded with the Cool Springs overlook, unless of course you spoiled yourself by checking it out before you began the hike.

Explore more trails at Fort Mountain State Park.

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Elevation Map Length (miles) by Elevation (feet)
Slope Breakdown
Elevation Gain
Elevation Range
Grade Range
Length
Elevation Gain
0 - 250 ft/mi
~ 0 - 5 %
1.5 mi
169 ft
250 - 500 ft/mi
~ 5 - 10 %
0.8 mi
322 ft
500 - 750 ft/mi
~ 10 - 15 %
0.9 mi
562 ft
750 - 1000 ft/mi
~ 15 - 20 %
0.5 mi
388 ft
1000+ ft/mi
~ 20+ %
0.4 mi
553 ft
Elevation Loss
Elevation Range
Grade Range
Length
Elevation Loss
0 - 250 ft/mi
~ 0 - 5 %
1 mi
159 ft
250 - 500 ft/mi
~ 5 - 10 %
1 mi
358 ft
500 - 750 ft/mi
~ 10 - 15 %
0.9 mi
563 ft
750 - 1000 ft/mi
~ 15 - 20 %
0.5 mi
438 ft
1000+ ft/mi
~ 20+ %
0.3 mi
429 ft
Terrain Map Click to control map
Details
length8 miles
difficulty13.3 Medium
duration3 - 5 hours
trail typeLoop
blazeOrange
elevation gain1960 ft.
state Georgia 
park/forestFort Mountain State Park
visitor infoTrading Post / Visitor Center
181 Fort Mountain Park Road
Chatsworth, GA 30705
706-422-1932
parking fee$5/Day, $50 Annual Pass
trailhead coordinates 34.778889, -84.705437 (Degree Decimal, DegDec)
N 34°46.73, W 84°42.33 (Degree Minutes, MinDec)
N 34°46'44'', N 34°46'44'' (Degree Minutes Seconds, DMS)
Trailhead Directions
34.778889, -84.705437 (Degree Decimal, DegDec)
N 34°46.73, W 84°42.33 most GPS units use this one
N 34°46'44'', N 34°46'44'' (Degree Minutes Seconds, DMS)
Google Map It
Park at the Cool Springs Overlook parking lot.
Notes
Stop by the Trading Post and Visitor Center at the entrance to the park for maps, restrooms, drinks, snacks, and merch.
You can hike this loop either direction but the park staff recommended hiking it clockwise to get the more difficult part over with first.
The trail has rocky and muddy sections so watch your step.
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Reviews / Comments
Average Review Rating
4 (1)
hikethesouth-5 years ago
Longer Hike with Views and Waterfall
If you're looking for a longer hike that isn't too difficult that has a few views and a waterfall, this is a perfect choice. Most of this loop is just hiking in the woods but it never gets boring and the best view is right near the trailhead. That being said I still thought this was a great hike. Well worth the trip.
Medium | Hiked Summer 2018
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