Woody Gap Trail

Appalachian Trail - Woody Gap to Jarrard Gap

Woody Gap to Preachers Rock Trail is a 2.3 mile heavily trafficked out and back trail located near Dahlonega, GA that features beautiful wild flowers and is rated as moderate. 

The trail crests near the Big Cedar Mountain summit at 1.25 miles, catching stunning long-range views from the summit’s wide, exposed expanse of rock, commonly called ‘Preachers Rock’. The views from Big Cedar Mountain summit at Preachers Rock are superb, only rivalled in the Blood Mountain Wilderness by the nearby Blood Mountain summit.

 For many hikers, the hike turns from the Big Cedar Mountain summit to return to the Woody Gap trailhead – a short 2.5-mile hike with a fantastic summit view. But the (Appalachian Trail) AT treks beautiful forest north of Big Cedar Mountain, worth a deeper hike into the wilderness. This hike departs the summit, following the iconic, white rectangular blazes of the Appalachian Trail and trailing northbound toward Blood Mountain. The trail descends elevation after passing a campsite at 1.45 miles, diving through a fern-filled, shady forest.

The AT loops in a wide arc through Augerhole Gap at 1.75 miles, trailing through sharp switchbacks. Rolling mountain views emerge through the tree line in a rocky, ferny deciduous forest before the trail crosses a trickling stream at 2.3 miles. The Appalachian Trail begins a descent at 2.6 miles, passing two large campsites.

Woody Gap Trailhead -   Woody Gap / Appalachian Trail, Georgia 60, Dahlonega, GA 30533

Not too far from Dahlonega called Woody Gap, where the AT crosses GA 60. At Woody Gap you can access the trail on either side of the road. On the left the trail heads south, back to Springer Mountain. On the right side, the trail heads north to Blood Mountain summit and AT trail continues till Maine.

This is the common point to access the various point in AT trail, Such as Woody Gap, Jarrard Gap, Neels Gap, Preachers Rock Trail, Blood Mountain Trail.