Blue Ridge Mountains Region of Georgia around Clayton, Dahlonega, and Gainesville, Georgia - Gainesville GA Off the Beaten Path

Preview: In Georgia’s far northeast corner, up against the North Carolina and South Carolina borders, Rabun County is the heart of the state’s dramatically rugged Blue Ridge Mountain country. About 80 percent of the county is included in national forests and state parks. Outdoor adventures range from tranquil trout fishing in mountain streams, canoeing, swimming, off-the-beaten-path hiking, and browsing for handmade crafts at country stores to the ultimate heart-pounding adventure: Chattooga river rafting. Until the early 1970s, when Jon Voight, Burt Reynolds, and the rest of the Deliverance movie crew let the world in on the secret, the Chattooga River was the remote domain of mountain folk along the Georgia–South Carolina border. Nowadays daredevils come from early spring through late fall to test their courage against the river’s steep sluices, whirlpools, and roller-coaster rapids. To see that they accomplish their missions safely, the U.S. Forest Service licenses professional outfitters to conduct the trips, which are made in sturdy six-person rubber rafts and are led by guides who know every rock and rill along this tempestuous waterway. Outfitters offer a variety of Chattooga experiences. Beginners usually test their wings on Section III, a seven-hour, 6-mile ride that sweeps them through many of the Deliverance landmarks. At lunchtime guides pull a small deli out of their waterproof packs and spread the feast at the foot of a waterfall. Section III is a mere warm-up for “The Ultimate Challenge,” the Chattooga’s wild and woolly Section IV. Suggested only for well-seasoned whitewater hands in top physical condition, this rip-snorting seven-hour cruise carries you through swiftly moving currents; steep, wooded gorges; up and over, down and around such potential perils as Seven Foot Falls, Corkscrew, and Jawbone. At day’s end, the Chattooga finally turns you loose, into the peaceful waters of Tugaloo Lake. For those who really want to get to the heart of the river, outfitters offer two-day trips, which include overnight camping, a steak dinner, and a bountiful breakfast. Some packages offer the option of lodgings at rustic inns and cabins. The above description is an excerpt from "Georgia: Off the Beaten Path." Whether you're a visitor or a local looking for something different, this chapter from the Off the Beaten Path series will help you take the "road less traveled" and discover hidden attractions, unique finds, and unusual locales that most tourists miss.
© Copyright William Schemmel published by Insiders' Guide all rights reserved.


This travel guide comes from:
Georgia Off the Beaten Path Guide Book