The clear, sharp autumn air in the north Georgia Mountains makes your ball fly
and your spirit soar. Swing for the hills at golf courses designed for challenging
and pleasurable play. Accommodations and good food are nearby, so it won’t
be long before you are back on the links.
sets the tone for the entire 2,200-mile AT hike from North Georgia
to Maine. Smoky Mountain Outfitters, an AT Conservancy
Certified outfitter in Cleveland, and Helen’s Unicoi Outfitters
have all the right gear for everything from trout and fly-fishing
to hiking, climbing and repelling.
You won’t look back once you take the plunge down one of
the many zip lines in Mother Nature’s playground. Zip lines and
challenge courses for all ages take you into the lush rain forest
of the Southern Appalachians.
Unicoi Adventure Lodge is one of the focal points of outdoor
challenges in the county. Just north of the Alpine Village of
Helen, near the graceful Anna Ruby Falls, the state park offers
mountain bike and hiking trails, 3D archery, survivalist camping,
rock wall climbing, fly fishing, paddle boarding, slackline and
kayaking. Eleven zip lines and seven suspension bridges provide
birds-eye views of the lush forest and lake at the 1,000-acre state
park. Camp in barrel cabins or at a primitive campsite under the
stars, or relax in the comforts of the newly renovated lodge.
The Chattahoochee River winds through downtown Helen,
home of Oktoberfest. Cool River Tubing and Helen Water Park
& Tubing offers colorful inner tubes to float in the sparkling
waters while zip liners soar across the river in the trees above.
Try the Cool River Tubing Challenge course, too. Nearby
outfitters Zip ‘n’ Time has one of the longest and highest zip
lines in the state, a three-level challenge course and offers deepwoods tiny treehouses for overnight stays.
Saddle up for horseback trail rides Sunburst Stables, but there’s
more -- ATV trail rides, fly boarding, boating trips and zip lines
broaden your perspective. Plan a restful round of golf at either
Innsbruck or Mossy Creek. Drink in nature at one of White
County’s seven wineries including the Unicoi Wine Trail and
just sit back and enjoy the scenery.
Buried deep in the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest,
Low Gap Creek Falls is located not far from the Alpine Village
of Helen, Georgia. It cascades through the forest, eventually
joining the creeks and streams that form Georgia’s famous
Chattahoochee River.
120 Fall 2016 Adventure Outdoors
Adventure insiders know that White County is where Mother
Nature comes to play.
For more information, call the White County Chamber of
Commerce at 706-865-5356 or visit whitecountychamber.org.