National Scenic Byway · Georgia

Russell-Brasstown National Scenic Byway

A 41-mile mountain loop from Helen through the Chattahoochee National Forest, with a spur up to Brasstown Bald, Georgia's highest peak.

Along the Russell-Brasstown National Scenic Byway

Photo: Thomson200, CC0, source

  • LengthAbout 41 miles[3]FHWA lists 40.6 miles.
  • Drive timeAt least three hours of driving[2]Forest Service advice
  • RoadsA loop on Georgia State Routes 17/75, 75 Alternate, 180 (with the spur to Brasstown Bald) and 348[4]
  • Start and endA loop that starts and ends near Helen[4]
  • Fees and passesNo fee to drive the byway[1]
  • Best seasonNot verified
  • SurfaceNot verified
  • Vehicle notesNot verified
  • Seasonal closuresNot verified

Before you go

Road status and weather can change quickly. Check the official road-conditions link before you go.

Facts last checked against the sources on October 22, 2026.

About the drive

The Russell-Brasstown byway is a loop through the Chattahoochee National Forest in northeast Georgia. It circles the headwaters of the Chattahoochee River and crosses the Appalachian Trail at Hogpen Gap.

The highlight is the spur road to Brasstown Bald, Georgia's highest mountain, where the visitor center looks out in every direction. Dukes Creek Falls is a short walk from the road, and Vogel and Unicoi state parks are nearby.

The Forest Service suggests allowing at least three hours. The loop starts and ends near Helen, a small town built in a Bavarian style.

Stops along the way

  1. Brasstown Bald

    Georgia's highest mountain, with a visitor center and 360-degree views.

    Official information · 34.8742, -83.81065 · about 0.0 mi from the route line

  2. Hogpen Gap

    Where the byway crosses the Appalachian Trail.

    Official information · 34.72621, -83.83935 · about 0.0 mi from the route line

  3. Dukes Creek Falls

    Waterfall reached by a short trail to a viewing platform.

    Official information · 34.70205, -83.7913 · about 0.2 mi from the route line

  4. Helen

    Bavarian-themed town where the loop begins and ends.

    Official information · 34.70149, -83.73157 · about 1.1 mi from the route line

Stops are listed in order along the route; the numbers match the map. Stop locations come from the National Park Service, the U.S. Geological Survey place-names database, the stop's own official page or, where noted in the data, OpenStreetMap (© OpenStreetMap contributors).

Food along the way

Farmers markets within about 25 miles

  • Union County Farmers MarketBlairsville, GA · about 7.5 mi from the route
  • Hayesville Evening MarketHayesville, NC · about 11.8 mi from the route
  • Little Farmers MarketDahlonega, GA · about 13.2 mi from the route
  • Gertie Mae's Farmers' MarketClarkesville, GA · about 14.1 mi from the route
  • The North Georgia Farmers MarketClarkesville, GA · about 14.1 mi from the route

Markets keep their own seasons and hours, so check with the market before you go. Find more in the Farmers Market Finder.

Sources

  1. America's Byways: Russell-Brasstown National Scenic Byway (FHWA) (checked 2026-10-22)
  2. Russell-Brasstown National Scenic Byway (Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests, USDA Forest Service) (checked 2026-10-22)
  3. Scenic Byways (Georgia Department of Transportation) (checked 2026-10-22)
  4. Russell-Brasstown Scenic Byway designation resolution (Georgia DOT, 2011) (checked 2026-10-22)
  5. Route line: U.S. DOT scenic byways map service (geo.dot.gov), retrieved 2026-10-22.

Written by VanillaGoods from the cited official sources. This is a drive to know, not a ranking. Road status and weather can change quickly; check the official road-conditions link before you go.

Spot something out of date? Email help@vanillagoods.com (help@vanillagoods.com).

More drives in Georgia · All scenic drives