Georgia · Hiking

Duncan Ridge Trail

12.7 mi
round trip
11,292 ft
climb
4,264 ft
high point
Out and back
route

Is Duncan Ridge Trail open right now?

Closure in the area

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

Duncan Ridge Trail is a 12.7-mile out-and-back hike in Georgia's Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests, within the Blue Ridge Ranger District and Coopers Creek Wildlife Management Area. Managed by the State Department of Natural Resources, the route climbs from about 3,260 feet to a high point of 4,264 feet, with a total elevation gain of 4,330 feet. The steepest stretch comes around mile 5.6, where the grade reaches 31 percent. The route is rated expert, and the round trip covers about 25.4 miles. With that distance and elevation, plan on a full day, and bring enough food and water for the entire outing. Fish Knob Trail lies about 3 miles away, and Cooper Creek Campground and Deep Hole Rec. Area are each roughly 3.9 miles off. For time on the water, the Toccoa River is about 6.4 miles away.

Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive

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

Bryant Creek Trail

~10 min drive

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

Morganton Point Lake TrailPhoto: schwglr, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

Morganton Point Lake Trail

~15 min drive

0.42-mile out-and-back hike at Morganton Point Lake Trail in Georgia

Flat Creek LoopPhoto: Olin Gilbert, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Flat Creek Loop

~17 min drive

10.14-mile loop in Georgia with 1,593 ft gain and 1,745 ft loss.

Lower Green Mountain (ConnectoPhoto: Olin Gilbert, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Lower Green Mountain (Connecto

~17 min drive

2.04-mile out-and-back trail in Georgia with 321 ft gain.

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

Lake Winfield Scott

~16 min drive

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

Toccoa Canoe TrailPhoto: Lahti213, CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Toccoa Canoe Trail

~11 min drive

26.86-mile out-and-back canoe trail in Georgia with 1,071 ft elevation gain

Dockery LakePhoto: qvfp, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Dockery Lake

~17 min drive

5-mile out-and-back trail to Dockery Lake in Georgia.

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.

HIKE

Yellow Mountain

~10 min drive

6.30-mile out-and-back trail on Yellow Mountain in Georgia

Benton Mackaye TrailPhoto: Thomson20192, Public Domain Dedication (CC0) (via Flickr)

Benton Mackaye Trail

~18 min drive

A 279.77-mile point-to-point backpacking trail through remote Georgia mountain wilderness.

Route details

Distance
12.7 mi round trip
Climbing
About 11,292 ft
Summit
3,413 ft
Difficulty
Expert
Time
About 8 hours

Questions about this route

How long is the Duncan Ridge Trail on Payne Knob?

About 12.7 mi round trip.

How much elevation gain is on the Duncan Ridge Trail?

About 11,292 ft of climbing round trip.

How hard is the Duncan Ridge Trail?

It is rated expert.

How long does the Duncan Ridge Trail take?

About 8 hours round trip.

Conditions and forecast on Payne Knob

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