Winter Hiking in North Georgia: Get Outside and Beat the Blues!

After winter solstice passes and the calendar changes to a new year, many hikers we know pack up their gear and wait for the spring. But for us, winter is just another hiking season, with different appeal, unique sights, and a great opportunity to escape those winter indoor blues.

With more than 200 days of sunshine each year, winter hiking in Georgia is a great way to beat the winter blues.Photo byDeanLand / OurTravelCafe.com

With 217 days of sunshine annually, North Georgia’s hiking season definitely extends year-round. Winter hiking simply requires a different set of equipment and a brighter outlook for darker days.

Below are our Top 3 reasons we love winter hiking: (For an extended version with our Top 6 reasons, more photos, and winter hiking suggestions, visit our blog (which includes advertising links that may earn a fee for the author/website) at: https://ourtravelcafe.com/winter-hikes/

1. No Sweat

When you dress warmly for winter hiking, you may end up shedding a layer to avoid a few spots of mild dampness. But compared to the strength-draining, drenching body water works of summer, working up a slight winter sweat signals that you’re getting a good workout while enjoying the outdoors.

Proper dress is important for cold-weather hiking.Photo byDeanLand / OurTravelCafe.com

2. Happy Trails

There’s nothing more annoying than heading out into the great wide open to find yourself shoulder-to-shoulder with a herd of humans. During the winter, Georgia trails often are wide-open, or at least far-less-trafficked than any other time of the year.

3. More to See

Fallen leaves open the view from different angles, often revealing hidden treasures and vistas impossible to spot during other seasons. Winter at Amicalola Falls and Dukes Creek Falls reveals the full vertical splendor of Georgia’s tall falls as they cascade deep into the valleys below.

Winter hiking offers some unique views and experiences not possible during other seasons, like frozen waterfalls.Photo byDeanLand / OurTravelCafe.com

Favorite North Georgia Hikes, Year-round

Just a few of our favorite winter-time and year-round North Georgia hikes include:

Pine Mountain in Cartersville,

Amicalola Falls State Park,

Duke’s Creek Falls,

Red Top Mountain State Park, and

Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park.

You'll find lots more tips for North Georgia hiking spots in at the Georgia section of our blog, OurTravelCafe.com