Hiking the Tray Mountain Summit Trail via Tray Gap
The crunch of leaves underfoot, crisp mountain air, and endless Blue Ridge views — that’s what awaits you at the summit of Tray Mountain. And it’s easy to get to from Tray Gap. Here’s what you need to know about hiking to the Tray Mountain summit via Tray Gap.
For beginners or day hikers who want a taste of the Appalachian Trail without too much of a challenge, the Tray Mountain Summit Trail is a great choice. And I especially love this hike in the fall when the leaves start changing color!
The Tray Mountain Summit Trail is a short, but steep, 1.5 mile out-and-back hike near Helen, Georgia that runs from Tray Gap up to the summit of Tray Mountain. At the top, you’ll get stunning mountain views that are worth the climb!
In this guide, I’ll tell you everything you need to know about hiking the Tray Mountain Summit Trail from Tray Gap, including parking, trail conditions, and the best time to hike.
Getting to the Tray Mountain Summit Trail
After our adventure on the Tray Mountain Road Jeep trail, we hiked the short, 0.75 mile trail from Tray Gap up to the summit of Tray Mountain.
This is one of the most popular hiking spots in Georgia since it’s an easy day-hiker access for the Appalachian Trail and it has an incredible view.
Getting to Tray Gap can be a challenge if you don’t have the right vehicle and come from the wrong direction.
The route from the west, coming from Helen and accessing Tray Mountain Road from GA-75, is the easier route to drive. This route is a gravel road that is pretty well-maintained an easier to drive for any type of car.
But if you’re coming from the east, accessing Tray Mountain Road from Chimney Mountain Road, you’ll want something with ground clearance and 4 wheel drive. This route is the off-roading Jeep route.
There is a gravel parking area at the base of the trail at Tray Gap.
Tray Mountain Summit Trail Hike
To hike to the Tray Mountain summit, you’ll be hiking north on the Appalachian Trail.
The trail begins by gaining elevation quickly through a series of switchbacks. At about 0.6 miles through the hike is a scenic resting point where you can sit on a rock cropping and look out over the mountains through a break in the trees.
The trail continues upward, still quickly gaining elevation. When you near the summit, you’ll pass through a tunnel of arching rhododendron (which Kevin likes to call “the hobbit hole”). You’ll reach the Tray Mountain summit at 0.75 miles, having climbed 600 feet.
Wide open exposed rock covers the summit. If the texture were smoother, you could lay out and sun up there. The surrounding trees aren’t very tall and have plenty of gaps, so you can sit on the rocks and take in the views.
We timed this perfectly with the changing seasons and got to experience bright blue skies and patches of bright oranges and reds among the green of the trees.
The descent back down the trail is much easier and quicker than the ascent. We ended our 1.5 mile hike back at the parking lot at Tray Gap.
Hiking Essentials
Come prepared for your hike by making sure you pack the essentials. Check out this must-have hiking gear before you set off on the trails:
Tray Mountain Summit via Tray Gap Info
Hike length: 1.5 miles out-and-back
Difficulty: Moderate
Is it pet-friendly?: Yes.
Location: Tray Mountain Rd, Sautee Nacoochee, GA 30571
Parking: Parking is available in a free gravel lot at Tray Gap.
Fees: Free.
Hours: Accessible 24 hours a day.
Accessibility: The trail is unpaved with a lot of roots and rocks. Sections of the trail can be slippery when wet.
Nearby Hiking Trails
Hike these other fantastic North Georgia trails near the Tray Mountain Summit Trail:
- Brasstown Bald Summit
- Anna Ruby Falls
- Amicalola Falls Trail
- Unicoi to Helen Trail
- Helen to Hardman Heritage Trail
- Unicoi Lake Loop Trail
Top Helen Tours
- 2 Hour Culture Tour in Helen
- Heavenly Helen Amazing Race & Tour
- 2-Hour Helen Haunts and History Walk Tour
- Helen Mystery Picnic Date
Where to Stay in Helen
Find the perfect place to rest your head on your visit to Helen, from the top rated accommodations to unique stays you can’t get anywhere else.
- Where I Stayed: Holiday Inn Express & Suites Helen
- Top Cabin Rental: Serenity Ridge Cabin
- Top Helen Hotel: Valhalla Resort Hotel
- Great for Small Groups: Helen Duplex
- Unique Stay: Alpine Village Inn
More Helen Travel Tips
Find more fun things to do in and around Helen, GA with these top posts:
- 3 Days in Helen: Weekend Itinerary for First-Timers
- 25 Fun Things to Do in Helen
- 11 Free Things to Do in Helen
- 12 Best Restaurants in Helen (That Aren’t Just German Food)
- North Georgia Mountains Day Trip Itinerary: Helen & Dahlonega
- Unicoi State Park: Tips for Your Perfect Visit
- Top North Georgia Wineries for a Weekend Getaway
Ready to visit Helen, Georgia? Plan your trip with these tips.
- Book Your Flight: Find the cheapest flights using Skyscanner, my favorite flight search engine.
- Find Accommodation: You can find top cabin rentals in Helen using VRBO.
- Start Packing: Check out my packing list resources so you’re prepared for your trip.
- Explore Helen in a New Way: Enjoy a Mystery Picnic Date in Helen to discover more of the town.
Cheers!
Paige
Have you hiked the Tray Mountain Summit Trail from Tray Gap near Helen, Georgia? Let me know about it in the comments!
