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Fannin County Georgia Hiking Trails
Wildlife Opening Trail
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Via Appalachian Trail, Benton MacKaye Trail and
Duncan Ridge Trail
Length: 4.4
Rating: Easy
Use: Moderate
The Wildlife Opening Trail is an easy walk with fantastic views,
beautiful cascading waterfalls, and peaceful fishing.
The Wildlife Opening Trail utilizes a part of the world famous
Appalachian Trail (AT), a National Scenic Trail, and a portion of the
combined Duncan Ridge National Recreation Trail and the Benton MacKaye
Trail, a general forest trail. Other attractions are Long Creek Falls, the
view at the top, fishing and camping opportunities and the magnificent
hemlocks at Three Forks.
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An in-and-back trail walk, Wildlife Opening Trail begins on north side
of road on AT alongside Long Creek. There are three short ascents before
reaching blue-blazed side trail to falls at 1.1 miles. The blue-blazed
Duncan Ridge Trail and white diamond blazed Benton MacKaye Trail turn
northwest above falls. The first one-half mile beyond falls and across
Long Creek on USFS bridge is flat through large laurel-rhododendron
thicket. The second half mile is an ascent to a large wildlife opening
at the top. Return to parking area back along same trail. No motorized
vehicles allowed on trail. Trail designed for day hikers, not
recommended for horses.
Directions from Blue Ridge, Georgia:
Travel east (toward Blairsville, GA) on GA Hwy 515,
approx. 0.8 miles past intersection with GA Hwy 5. Turn Right at Windy
Ridge Rd., go 0.2 miles to dead end with Old U.S. 76. Turn left, go 0.2
miles to Aska Road. Turn right onto Aska Road, go to end (13.5 miles).
Turn right onto Newport Read, go 4.5 miles to end. Turn left onto
Doublehead Gap Road, cross a concrete bridge and cone onto dirt-gravel
read. Continue 0.3 miles to intersection with dirt-gravel USFS Read 58
from right. Turn onto USFS 58 and continue east into forest and uphill 6.5
miles to Three Forks. Noontootla Creed, a trout stream, is on right as you
ascend.
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