Georgia · Hiking

Bridge Gap

4.8 mi
round trip
1,961 ft
climb
3,138 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Mar–May, Aug–Nov
best months

Is Bridge Gap open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests. It doesn't name Bridge Gap, 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.

Bridge Gap is a 4.8-mile out-and-back hike in the Blue Ridge Ranger District of the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests in north Georgia, managed by the Forest Service. The trail rises from about 2,479 feet to a high point of 3,138 feet, with a total elevation gain of 1,961 feet over the course of the round trip. The climb is steepest near the start, with a grade of about 33% at roughly 0.94 miles in. The route is rated moderate, and the trail surface is natural. Bikes are allowed, but horses are not. For comfortable weather, aim for late spring or early fall. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Blairsville show May highs around 76°F and October highs around 70°F, with September and October seeing the fewest wet days of the year. That station sits well below the trail, so temperatures on the higher ground run cooler. The hike takes about 2.5 hours to complete and is open year-round. Nelson Cove lies just 0.2 miles away, and the Access Trail is about a mile off. Paddlers can head to the Nottely River, about 7.5 miles away, and climbers will find Blood Mountain roughly 9.5 miles from the trail.

Local outfitters

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

  • Best time to go · Mar–May, Aug–Nov

    Best time to visit Bridge Gap

    Best months: March–May and August–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

      49° / 25°

      12 wet

    2. Feb

      53° / 28°

      12 wet

    3. Mar

      60° / 34°

      12 wet

    4. Apr

      69° / 41°

      11 wet

    5. May

      76° / 50°

      12 wet

    6. Jun

      82° / 58°

      13 wet

    7. Jul

      85° / 62°

      13 wet

    8. Aug

      84° / 61°

      12 wet

    9. Sep

      80° / 55°

      9 wet

    10. Oct

      70° / 43°

      10 wet

    11. Nov

      61° / 33°

      10 wet

    12. Dec

      52° / 29°

      12 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Blairsville Exp Stn, GA, 2.2 mi away at 1,949 ft. The station sits about 1,200 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

Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive

Miller TrekPhoto: Clevergrrl, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

Miller Trek

~12 min drive

9.10-mile loop in Georgia with 1,636 ft elevation gain.

Bryant Creek TrailPhoto: ChattOconeeNF, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Bryant Creek Trail

~15 min drive

5.2-mile out-and-back trail in Georgia with 1,312 ft elevation gain and loss.

Woods Hole ShelterPhoto: TranceMist, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Woods Hole Shelter

~17 min drive

0.40-mile out-and-back trail at Woods Hole Shelter in Georgia

HIKE

Coosa Backcountry

~14 min drive

10.10-mile out-and-back trail in Georgia with 3,712 ft elevation gain.

Coosa BackcountryPhoto: TranceMist, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Coosa Backcountry

~16 min drive

A 6-mile out-and-back backcountry hike through Georgia's Coosa region.

Byron Herbert ReecePhoto: Pete Seabolt, CC BY 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Byron Herbert Reece

~17 min drive

1.40-mile out-and-back trail in Georgia with 111 ft gain and 488 ft loss.

Lake Winfield ScottPhoto: Thomson20192, Public Domain Dedication (CC0) (via Flickr)

Lake Winfield Scott

~17 min drive

0.30-mile loop trail at Lake Winfield Scott in Georgia with 564 ft elevation gain.

HIKE

ROUNDTOP MOUNTAIN

~2 min drive

9.96-mile out-and-back trail at Roundtop Mountain in Georgia with 4,312 ft gain/loss.

FreemanPhoto: Pete Seabolt, CC BY 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Freeman

~17 min drive

3.58-mile out-and-back trail in Georgia with 1,157 ft gain

Slaughter Creek TrailPhoto: ChattOconeeNF, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Slaughter Creek Trail

~17 min drive

0.7-mile out-and-back trail in Georgia with 397 ft gain and 3,086 ft max elevation.