Georgia · Hiking

Arkaquah Trail

5.3 mi
one way
2,706 ft
climb
4,356 ft
high point
Point to point
route
Mar–Nov
best months

Is Arkaquah Trail open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests. It doesn't name Arkaquah Trail, so check the source for the area it covers (4 listed).

As of · Source: USFS · Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

The Arkaquah Trail is a 5.3-mile point-to-point hike in the Blue Ridge Ranger District of the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests in northern Georgia. The Forest Service manages the land, and the route rises from about 2,300 feet to a high point of 4,356 feet, with a total elevation gain of 2,706 feet. The trail is rated hard, and the steepest stretch comes early on, at about 1 mile, where the grade reaches 42 percent. Late spring and early fall are the most comfortable times to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station show May highs around 72°F and September highs around 74°F. That station sits roughly 1,500 feet below the trail, so temperatures up high run cooler. The hike takes about three hours. The Arkaquah and Blue Rock Mountain hikes both lie about 1.3 miles away, and the Access Trail is about 1.7 miles off. For time on the water, the Nottely River is about 7.6 miles away.

Local outfitters

Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.

  • Best time to go · Mar–Nov

    Best time to visit Arkaquah Trail

    Best months: March–November. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      46° / 26°

    2. Feb

      50° / 28°

    3. Mar

      57° / 35°

    4. Apr

      66° / 43°

    5. May

      72° / 51°

    6. Jun

      77° / 59°

    7. Jul

      80° / 62°

    8. Aug

      79° / 61°

    9. Sep

      74° / 55°

    10. Oct

      66° / 44°

    11. Nov

      57° / 35°

    12. Dec

      49° / 30°

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Germany Valley, GA, 23.9 mi away at 2,832 ft. The station sits about 1,500 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

    Closures we've recorded since August 2026

    • Spring 2026 Forest-wide Fire Restrictions

      Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests · Order dated April 23, 2026; seen Aug 23, 2026 → lifted Oct 13, 2026 · Forest Service

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Route details

Distance
5.3 mi
Climbing
About 2,706 ft
Summit
4,306 ft
Difficulty
Hard
Time
About 3.5 hours

Questions about this route

How long is the Arkaquah Trail on Chimneytop Mountain?

About 5.3 mi.

How much elevation gain is on the Arkaquah Trail?

About 2,706 ft of climbing round trip.

How hard is the Arkaquah Trail?

It is rated hard.

How long does the Arkaquah Trail take?

About 3.5 hours round trip.

Conditions and forecast on Chimneytop Mountain

Daily highs and lows, wind and the chance of precipitation at the summit and route start for the next 7 days, from the Open-Meteo model.

Map and trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors