Georgia · Hiking · Near Highlands

Courthouse Gap

0.4 mi
round trip
485 ft
climb
2,521 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Mar–Jun, Aug–Nov
best months

Is Courthouse Gap open right now?

Closure in the area

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

Courthouse Gap is an easy hike of about 0.88 miles in the Chattooga River Ranger District of the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests in northern Georgia. The trail starts at an elevation of about 2,344 feet and climbs roughly 240 feet to a high point of about 2,521 feet, then returns the same distance. It's an out-and-back, and the steepest part comes early, with a 15% grade about a tenth of a mile from the start. The most comfortable stretch for a visit runs from late spring into early fall. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at Clayton, which sits several hundred feet lower, show October highs around 71°F with lows near 47°F, and May highs around 76°F. The station records about 9 to 11 wet days a month from October through November, the lowest of the year. The trip takes about half an hour, and the route makes an easy pairing with other short outings. Pinnacle lies about 0.4 miles away, and Warwoman Dell Nature Trail and Becky Branch Falls are each about 1.5 miles off. For a longer stay, Willis Knob Horse Camp is about 8.6 miles away.

Around this trail

Add any of these when you start a trip
  • Sleep close

    Wilson Gap

    Campground

    Campground · 3.6 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    Taco Bell

    Fast food

    On your way back · 2 mi · Open after 6
  • If it rains

    Sunset Rock

    Viewpoint

    In town

    Cliff in Macon County, North Carolina, United States

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors

More in Highlands

Local outfitters

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

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

    Best time to visit Courthouse Gap

    Best months: March–June 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

      50° / 30°

      11 wet

    2. Feb

      54° / 31°

      10 wet

    3. Mar

      61° / 37°

      11 wet

    4. Apr

      70° / 44°

      10 wet

    5. May

      76° / 53°

      11 wet

    6. Jun

      83° / 61°

      12 wet

    7. Jul

      85° / 65°

      13 wet

    8. Aug

      84° / 64°

      12 wet

    9. Sep

      79° / 59°

      10 wet

    10. Oct

      71° / 47°

      9 wet

    11. Nov

      61° / 37°

      9 wet

    12. Dec

      53° / 32°

      11 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Clayton 1 Ssw, GA, 1.5 mi away at 1,965 ft. The station sits about 600 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

PinnaclePhoto: JM Palacios, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

Pinnacle

Next door

Pinnacle is a 1.06-mile out-and-back trail in Georgia with 499 ft of elevation gain.

Tennessee Rock TrailPhoto: lns1122, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Tennessee Rock Trail

~4 min drive

2.08-mile loop in Georgia with 911 ft elevation gain and loss.

DARNELL CREEK HORSE TRAILPhoto: Olin Gilbert, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

DARNELL CREEK HORSE TRAIL

~8 min drive

16.48-mile out-and-back horse trail in Georgia with 3,403 ft elevation gain

Rabun BaldPhoto: Thomson200, CC0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Rabun Bald

~11 min drive

2.95-mile out-and-back trail in Georgia with 2,343 ft elevation loss.

Warwoman Dell Nature TrailPhoto: JM Palacios, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

Warwoman Dell Nature Trail

~2 min drive

Easy 2.5-mile out-and-back creek walk through Georgia's scenic dell.

Bartram TrailPhoto: Jsfouche, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Bartram Trail

~12 min drive

Bartram Trail is a 102.01-mile point-to-point trail in Georgia.

HIKE

Stonewall Falls Mountain Bike

~11 min drive

11.43-mile loop mountain bike trail in Georgia with 1,356 ft elevation gain.

HIKE

DARNELL CREEK HORSE TRAIL LOOP

~7 min drive

13.44-mile out-and-back trail in Georgia with 5,675 ft elevation gain/loss.

Becky Branch FallsPhoto: JM Palacios, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

Becky Branch Falls

~3 min drive

0.16-mile lollipop trail to Becky Branch Falls in Georgia

HIKE

Edmonds Trail (East Fork)

~4 min drive

5.34-mile out-and-back trail in Georgia with 2,423 ft elevation gain

Map and trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors