Autumn Adventures in Blue Ridge
September 13, 2022
The Blue Ridge, Georgia area is an easy road trip from many southeastern states. Surrounded by 100,000 acres of National Forest abounding in scenic trout streams, waterfalls, hiking trails, and raging rivers, Blue Ridge is a feast for the eyes in all four seasons, yet extra special during the splendor of fall.
The leaf-peeping season is the best season in Blue Ridge, Georgia. Crisp misty mornings give way to sunny days, the aroma of pumpkin spice and warm apple pie fills the air, and the mountains are aglow with seasonal palettes of vibrant fall foliage. Pack your boots, beanie, and cozy sweater to stroll the fall farmers’ markets, local apple orchards, and great outdoors, or stay warm and cozy fireside soaking up spectacular autumn scenery from an outdoor fire pit or hot tub in the woods!
The most commonly asked question – when is the best time to see fall foliage in the Blue Ridge Mountains? While Mother Nature obviously makes the final call, the changing of the seasons begins in late September with leaf season peaking between mid-October at the highest point in Georgia, Brasstown Bald, and continuing into the foothills of the southern Appalachians through mid-November.
A scenic driving tour of the Blue Ridge mountains reveals stunning vistas of fall colors, but Xplorie helps you get the most of your vacation with fabulous fall activities in the great outdoors! Here are our top fall foliage experiences in Blue Ridge Georgia – free when you vacation with Xplorie!
Hike the Fall Foliage Trails
There’s a crunchy and scenic fall foliage trail for every fitness and adventure level in Blue Ridge GA. Stroll the shoreline around beautiful Lake Blue Ridge, escape to the wild Aska Adventure Area with 17 miles of diverse trails winding through the forest, chase waterfalls along the Benton MacKaye Trail, and snap instaworthy fall foliage photos on the Toccoa River Swinging Bridge, one of the most iconic attractions in the Blue Ridge Mountains.
For avid hikers, the Appalachian Approach Trail starts at Amicalola Falls State Park for a hard 9-mile uphill hike to Springer Mountain with woods, waterfalls, and overlooks boasting some of the best fall foliage views in the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Pedal a Pedego Bike
The fall foliage hiking trails around Blue Ridge are idyllic for hiking and biking! Enjoy the pedal assist power of an electric Pedego bike as you explore the breathtaking wooded trails along the banks of the Toccoa River, the shores of Lake Blue Ridge, or deep in the wilderness of the Chattahoochee National Forest. Sit back and revel in the fall scenery or get a work-out on the mountain trails – the choice is yours on an electric Pedego bike.
Whether you’re looking to tackle the terrain on the colorful fall trails, or simply buzz about for shopping and dining in downtown Blue Ridge, your stay with Xplorie includes complimentary daily or weekly bike rentals, or a Shallowford Bridge River Tour along the Toccoa River with our activity partner Pedego Bikes Blue Ridge.
River Raft the Wild Ocoee River
Head completely off the beaten path and experience Blue Ridge’s vibrant fall foliage from the raging rapids of the wild Ocoee River. Once the Toccoa River reaches Tennessee it becomes the Ocoee River, known for the location of the 1996 Summer Olympics and the best river rafting in Georgia and Tennessee. The Upper Ocoee is wild with large drops and class V rapids, but the Middle Ocoee trip is the perfect stretch for a thrilling family rafting trip through forests of fiery fall foliage.
If you’re after thrills (and perhaps spills!), our Xplorie partner Raft One has expert river guides ready to steer you through the rapids on an unmatched adventure down the middle section of the Ocoee River. Prefer to stay dry? Opt for Raft One’s Ocoee Zipline Canopy Tour soaring high above the autumn hues of a Southern Pine Forest. The Ocoee River is only open for rafting through October 30th, so plan your Blue Ridge fall foliage getaway accordingly.
Saddle Up for an Appalachian Trail Ride
A fall foliage trail ride on horseback is a relaxing way to soak up the boundless beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains, and the splendor of fall. Whether you’re a beginner or advanced rider, horseback riding is one of the best leaf-peeping excursions to reconnect with nature and venture the trails less traveled.
Trailblaze through the backcountry of Blue Ridge on an authentic Appalachian Trail Ride at S&T Stables, only minutes from downtown Blue Ridge. This one-hour guided trail ride meanders through a private 250-acre farm with woods of changing leaves, lakeside trails, creek crossings, majestic wildlife sightings, and jaw-dropping mountain views and fall colors at every turn.
Leaf-Peep From Your Front Porch
The best thing about the Blue Ridge Mountains in autumn – you don’t even have to leave home for a brilliant fall display of rich red, burnt oranges, gorgeous yellows, and dramatic fall sunsets. Leaf-peep from the front porch of a Toccoa River retreat, a mountaintop hot tub, creekside fire pit, lakefront cabin, or surrounded by woodlands in the Aska wilderness – the peace and beauty of the Blue Ridge mountains is limitless when you vacation with Xplorie.
Whether you’re planning a cozy couples retreat or a fall family reunion, you’ll find the Blue Ridge mountain cabin of your dreams (and warm southern hospitality) with our Blue Ridge lodging partners and free fall foliage experiences for every day of your stay in Blue Ridge, GA.
Don’t forget to pack your binoculars and camera – and please tag us in your Blue Ridge Mountain fall foliage adventures, we love sharing your guest experiences.
