For years I’ve wanted to walk the 60 mile “Georgia Loop” formed by the Appalachian, Benton MacKaye, and Duncan Ridge Trails.

It was only recently that I got the bright idea to do it all in 2.5 days of hiking.

Let’s hike (and get lost) together!

First a Little Info:

The Georgia Loop is a loop hike made up of the GA Appalachian Trail (30 miles); the Duncan Ridge Trail (20 miles); and the Benton MacKaye Trail (10 miles).

It’s often been called the “toughest hike in GA” and I can confirm that this hike is probably the most difficult hike in Georgia. It’s also probably the hardest hike I’ve EVER done.

For logistics, planning, and navigation, I used the a National Geographic Trails Illustrated map; the AWOL AT thru-hiker guide; and the Benton MacKaye Trail thru-hike guide.

Itinerary

Day 1 (red), 4pm-12pm: 14 miles

Day 2 (blue) 8am- 12pm: 25 miles + 10 additional miles getting lost

Day 3 (pink) 8am-5pm: 20 miles

Gear and Food



I carried this 8 pounds of gear, which I give a brief review of on this page.

I started with 6 pounds of food and came back home with 1.5 pounds (though was probably not fueling enough the last day hiking).

OK, let’s get on the Trail!:

Shortly after leaving Blood Mountain on my first day out, I was hiking in the dark.

Almost immediately upon getting to the Duncan Ridge Trail (DRT), I slipped on loose dirt on a canted trail and took a tumble. Luckily, I only busted up my thumbnail.

Day 2 got off to a weird start and the weirdness kind of followed me that day.

When I’m hiking big miles, I usually set my alarm for around 6am. On day 2 my alarm never rang because, recently when I was resetting my watch, I accidentally switched AM and PM.

So, after a late night of hiking, I got to sleep in until 7:30am (when I naturally woke) on Day 2 and was greeted by daylight (a rare treat for me in the morning).

Though the DRT portion of the Loop required me to carry more water (I was often carrying 3 liters rather than just my usual 1 liter) than I normally do, its rugged and remote beauty is remarkable.

Also remarkable is the fact that the DRT doesn’t seem to have many switchbacks; instead, the trail climbs and descends the ridges on the fall line (steep!!!).

The trail is overgrown; has rugged footing; and generally requires more “advanced skills” than those needed on a trail like the Appalachian.

Somewhere, somehow (between humping up relentlessly steep peaks and stopping every once in a while to snap a photo), I got LOST!

I still don’t know exactly where I turned around, but about 2 hours after leaving Mulky Gap, I found myself BACK at Mulky Gap!

It’s with humor and embarrassment that I write this now, but I was FRANTIC at the time.

While walking MANY miles out of way was a HUGE bummer, I tried to make good time and enjoy the rest of the hike.

I knew that being about 4 hours behind schedule meant that I would have more night hiking on Day 2. Luckily I had put fresh batteries in my headlamp before the trip.

In order to get back on schedule, my Day 2 turned into a 16 hour hiking day. I had planned to camp at Bryson Gap, but when got there at midnight, there was a whole troop of tents.

Not wanting to wake anyone, I walked a little further down the trail and just made camp off in the woods.

Day 3 started off on a great note. As I was breaking camp, a hiker passed me on the trail. I hurried to catch up and eventually met Patrick (Mowgli, AT nobo 2015), who was out on his first overnight since thru-hiking the AT last year!

I really enjoyed chatting with him that morning and felt like Day 3 was off to a great and auspicious start compared to the difficulties of Day 2.

Getting to Long Creek Falls was a huge milestone of the hike because it was the point where I got BACK on the AT for the last 15 miles of the Loop. After all the bushwacking and rugged trail on the DRT, I KNEW I could manage an easy 15 on the AT (which is like a paved sidewalk compared to some of the craziest parts of the DRT).

In closing, this hike was probably the toughest I’ve ever done from the standpoint of logistics; physical exertion; and mental exertion.

It was also probably one of the most rewarding for all of those same reasons!

I’ve never walked in the wrong direction for so long like I did on this hike. Nor have I ever had waterless stretches as long.

I completed this hike, but am no where near done with it. I can see myself hiking this Loop again very soon! Second time’s a charm!

Thanks, ya’ll, for reading and looking. I wish ya’ll safe passage on the Georgia Loop!

BONUS VIDEO FROM THE TRIP!