Fort Mountain is part of the Blue Ridge Mountains in North Georgia where scenic drives and overlooks abound.
You’ve probably heard of the Blue Ridge Mountains in North Georgia and how they’re well-known for their beautiful scenery. But have you heard of Fort Mountain? Not only does this North Georgia Mountain have a state park, it also has a scenic drive, overlooks, hiking, biking, and so much more. Continue reading to learn more about how to make a day of the scenic mountain drive on Fort Mountain.
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What is Fort Mountain?
Located in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Georgia stands Fort Mountain. The peak of Fort Mountain is 2,850 feet above sea level. The origin of its name is a mystery. You would think there was a fort atop this mountain, but nobody knows for sure. All we know is that there’s remnants of an 850 foot long rock wall near the summit. Nobody knows for sure who built it or why. Some believe it was for spiritual means. While others assume it was built for defense.
Fort Mountain is also considered part of the small, Cohutta mountain range. It overlooks the Cohutta Wilderness Area and even has an overlook named after it. The main attraction of this mountain, however, is the Fort Mountain State Park that sits atop its peak.
The Scenic Drive of Fort Mountain
Highway 52 connects Chatsworth to Ellijay via Fort Mountain. The beauty of this drive is that it takes you right up and over Fort Mountain. Along the way there’s overlooks to stop and enjoy. And at the top of the mountain is Fort Mountain State Park.
The road is a two-lane highway full of twists and turns. But the drive is balanced out with some slight curves and straight-aways as well. This road is old and well-loved. However, it can be a little rough in some spots, so be prepared for a less-than-smooth ride.
Catching the Sunrise on Fort Mountain
The Fort Mountain Scenic Overlook faces east so I figured it’d be a perfect sunrise spot. However, the morning I went, the clouds were low, blocking the main event. But this was still a nice spot and I had the place to myself, early on a summer, Sunday morning.
I still recommend this spot for sunrise, but if you’re like me and prefer to see the sun rising over the horizon, this is not the spot for you. There’s another mountain in the way so the sunrise you’ll witness from here is only the sun rising over the next mountain, not the horizon itself. This means that the sun is less vibrant when it crests over the mountain in front of you. The coloring will be what the sun looks like after it’s risen for a few minutes. Some people still believe this to be a worthwhile sunrise, so add this to your Fort Mountain scenic drive plan if you want to.
Cohutta Overlook
I have now visited Cohutta Overlook twice. The first time was in September of 2020. Adam and I visited in the late afternoon and it was beautiful. (Pictured below)
Now, a few years later I visited on a hot, July morning after sunrise. The place was so overgrown, I almost didn’t even enter. There’s a short trail from the parking area to the overlook up the hill. The trail is less than a tenth of a mile long. But in the summer time it’s overgrown and you’ll have to navigate through the native plants. That being said, I don’t recommend this as a summer trip. But, I still recommend this overlook. Just plan to visit later in the fall or winter, or even in the early spring before the plants go crazy.
It’s easy to find Cohutta Overlook if you keep an eye out for the signs. As you approach on Highway 52 from Chattanooga, you’ll see a sign for Cohutta Overlook soon after passing Fort Mountain State Park. Slow down, or you’ll pass it. The left-hand turn will be pointed out and you’ll enter a single lane drive. Follow the loop around and park in one of the 5 designated spots. When you’re done, the loop will allow you to exit back onto Highway 52 so you can continue your Fort Mountain scenic drive.
More to Explore on Fort Mountain
Of course, there’s the Fort Mountain State Park. Note, just like all Georgia state parks, there’s a $5 fee to park. But inside are over 25 miles of hiking, biking, and horseback riding trails, more than 70 campsites, a 70 acre lake, and more. I myself have yet to visit this park, but it’s on my list to explore! Don’t worry, once I do, you’ll see a post about it.
Aside from the state park, there’s additional mountain biking trails and hiking trails in the surrounding area of Fort Mountain. In fact, there’s a short hike nearby that I highly recommend if you haven’t visited it before. Tumbling Waters is just 20 minutes from Ellijay and would make an excellent addition to your scenic drive of Fort Mountain. Parking here does cost $5, but it’s still worth the visit. I haven’t explored any other trails around this area yet, but rest assured that I will share those with you once I do.
Lastly, Highway 52 ends in Ellijay, assuming you’re starting this scenic drive from Chattanooga. Ellijay is a small, North Georgia town that’s worth stopping by for a bite to eat and maybe a little shopping. I stopped by Cornerstone Cafe for breakfast on my last trip and it was a great place to add to my scenic morning drive. To see what I got and how my trip went, you’ll have to watch the video.
In Closing
Fort Mountain is the perfect North Georgia scenic drive. Just take a morning to catch the sunrise, enjoy the views, and grab breakfast. Or make a day of it and visit Fort Mountain State Park and hike a little. The options are plentiful and these places are not overcrowded, making it the perfect scenic drive and way to spend a day.
Be sure to watch the video of how my morning went on this scenic drive of Fort Mountain. Let me know in the comments below if you’ve visited Fort Mountain and what your favorite part is. Until next time, enjoy exploring Chatt!
Explore more of the Blue Ridge Mountains in North Georgia:
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