Suches it Is

The drive combines some of the prettiest views of the countryside with curvy mountain roads and lots of roadside attractions, including the historic Skeenah Mill, Swinging Bridge on the Toccoa River, Chattahoochee National Fish Hatchery, Lake Winfield Scott, Vogel State Park and more opportunities for side trips. It can easily turn into a full day trip. Round trip mileage is 76 miles and approximate driving time without stops is two hours.

Below you will find total miles from one stop to the next (as well as in-between miles).

Mile 0.0 (0.0)
Start your drive at the intersection of Hwy. 515 and Hwy. 5 in Blue Ridge (McDonalds on corner). Begin your trip by going east on Highway 515 toward Blairsville.

Mile 4.0 (4.0)
Turn right on Georgia Highway 60 toward the little town of Morganton.
N 34°52.525' W084°14.536'

4.5 (.5)
Turn left at stop sign on GA Hwy 60.

6.0 (1.5)
Turn right on GA Hwy 60 South toward Dahlonega.

Mile 10.2 (4.2)

Serenberry Vineyards

450 Tipton Trail – Morganton, GA 30560

Turn left On Tipton Trail to visit Serenberry Vineyards, a charming farm winery in a beautiful country setting. Enjoy a little taste!
N34.850’ W084 19.49

Mile 13.5 (3.3)

Wilscot Gap

The Benton MacKaye Trail (BMT) crosses here. It is pronounced “mack-eye”. The trail in

Georgia stretches 78.6 miles from Springer Mountain to Double Spring Gap on the Tennessee border.
N 34°48.500' W084°11.272

Mile 17.2 (3.7)

Old Skeenah Mill

20 Skeenah Gap Rd, Suches, GA

On the left is the Skeenah Creek Campground. The Old Skeenah Mill was built in 1848 by Willis Woody, who brought his family to the Skeenah Valley in 1839. The Mill is listed on the National Register for Historic Places. A water-powered sawmill was also located on the creek. It was once a popular place for neighbors to gather and chat as they waited for their wheat or corn to be ground.
N 34°46.196' W084°10.353

Mile 17.9 (.7)

The Swinging Bridge

Forest Service Road 816

On the right is Forest Service Road 816, and the second crossing of the Benton MacKaye Trail. A side trip of 3 bumpy miles will lead to a 260’ suspension bridge over the Toccoa River. Park at the berm and walk in ¼ mile to the bridge. This is a beautiful area with huge old growth hemlocks.
N 34°44.350' W084°10.213’

Mile 20.5 (2.6)

Chattahoochee National Fish Hatchery

Forest Service Road 69.

Forest Service Road 69 on the right will take you to the Chattahoochee National Fish Hatchery and Frank Gross Campground on Rock Creek. The fish hatchery raises a million rainbow trout each year to stock the streams and lakes of north Georgia. Visitors can tour the hatchery and visitor center (M-F call 706-838-4723 for hours), and also picnic, hike, camp or fish.
N 34°42.382' W084°08.969’

Mile 20.8 (.3)

Deep Hole Recreation Area

On the right is the entrance to Deep Hole Recreation area on the Toccoa River. Deep Hole is a year-round campground with six picnic sites and a canoe launch. It is the beginning of the Toccoa River Canoe Trail, a nationally designated river trail.
N 34°44.574' W084°08.345’

Mile 21.5 (.7)

Cooper Creek Road

A six-mile trip on Cooper Creek Road takes you to two National Forest campgrounds, hiking trails & access to popular trout stream Cooper Creek.

Mile 32.1 (10.6)

Suches

You are in the town of Suches, which is the highest “community” in the state called “the Valley Above the Clouds.” Elevation in “downtown” Suches is 3,000 feet, according to Bill’s Guide to Suches. Woody Gap School, on the right, is the smallest public school in the State of Georgia, with 100 K-12 students.

Mile 32.4 (.3 )

Intersection of Highway 180

Wolf Pen Gap Road

The area is a popular route for motorcyclists, who stop at TWO (Two Wheels Only) ahead on the right. Turn left and continue the driving tour or take a short side trip to Woody Gap Vista ahead 2 miles.

For a quick side trip, continue to Woody Gap Vista.

(.3)

Woody Lake

On the left is Woody Lake and just above the lake is the house of Arthur Woody, the “Barefoot Forest Ranger.” He was the founder of the Chattahoochee National Forest and is recognized for preserving the land and revitalizing the area’s deer and trout population.
N 34°41.115' W084°01.182'

(2)

Woody Gap Vista

The Appalachian Trail crosses Highway 60 at Woody Gap. View is on the right. To continue the driving tour, return to Highway 180 and turn right.

Mile 36.8 (4.4 from Hwy 180)

Lake Winfield Scott Recr. Area

439 Winfield Scott Road, Suches

This 18 acre lake high in the Chattahoochee National Forest, was built for the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1930’s and offers opportunities to picnic, swim, fish, boat and hike.
N34 738’ W083 972’

Mile 43.6 (6.8)

Highway 19

Turn left to continue driving tour or right to visit Vogel State Park 405 Vogel State Park Rd., Blairsville. One of Georgia’s oldest and most popular state parks, offering tent and camper sites, rental cottages, a 20-acre lake, mini golf, swimming beach, picnic shelters, paddle boats and more. Located directly below Lake Trahlyta is a 40 foot stepping stone waterfall.
N34 767 W083 9197’

Mile 44.3 (.7)

Byron Herbert Reese Farm & Heritage Center

8552 Gainesville Hwy, Blairsville

Take in the history of early Appalachian living from a famous farmer and poet. Features a gift shop, museum, farm and history exhibits. Open seasonally Thursday through Saturday. N34 46’ N50 948’

Mile 45.2 (.9)

Sunrise Grocery

7568 Gainesville Hwy, Blairsville

Sunrise Grocery is a little country market with fresh veggies and fruits, boiled peanuts, homemade local treats and souvenirs! First open for business in this picturesque setting in the early 1920's, the grocery is one of the oldest businesses in Union County. Great place for pumpkins and gourds in fall.

(.5)

Richard B. Russell Scenic Highway

To drive the Richard Russell Scenic Highway, you can turn right at Hwy. 180 ½ mile from the Sunrise Grocery and drive approximately 1 mile to Hwy. 348, which continues to Helen. (Or continue straight on Hwy. 180 to visit Brasstown Bald, the highest point in GA).

Mile 48.2 (3)

Granddaddy Mimm's Moonshine Distillery

Pappy’s Trading Post, 2743 Pappy’s Plaza, Blairsville

Stop for a taste of authentic moonshine based on Grandaddy Mimm's recipe from the 1930’s. Museum features souvenirs and memorabilia.
N34 824’ W083 909’

Mile 53.2 (5)

Blairsville

Follow Highway 19/129 to the Square.

Explore the town of Blairsville, established in 1835, and return to Blue Ridge, 22.8 miles via Hwy. 515 or or for a pretty alternative take scenic Old Hwy. 76 back to Blue Ridge.