Unicoi to Helen Trail at Unicoi State Park
The Unicoi to Helen Trail is a beautiful hike through lush valley forests, departing from the Unicoi Lodge and ending in Helen at Unicoi Hill City Park.
The Unicoi to Helen Trail is a 5.2-mile out-and-back hike that’s very popular for hikers and runners.
This is such a beautiful trail to hike during the spring when the green starts popping on the trees!
Hiking the Unicoi to Helen Trail
This trail is 2.6 miles one way departing from Unicoi State Park from behind the Unicoi Lodge and ending in the town of Helen at Unicoi Hill City Park.
It’s considered a moderately challenging trail, so if you don’t want to hike the entire 5+ mile trail, you can certainly turn back before reaching Helen for a shorter, but still lovely, hike.
The beginning of the Unicoi to Helen Trail is combined with Bottoms Loop Trail, which descends into the forest from behind the lodge, following brightly-marked orange diamond trail markers.
This is such a great spring hike because the trees are exploding with fresh green leaves and new growth.
At 0.25 miles, the trail passes the park’s tennis courts and crosses Unicoi Bottoms Road, and then it’s back to the cover of the forest. At about 0.5 miles, keep right to stay on the Unicoi to Helen Trail; left will take you on the eastern part of Bottoms Loop Trail.
The trail then passes through a gorgeous large, open field that offers views of the surrounding mountains.
After the meadow, you’ll come to some wooden bridges that cross Smith Creek. Keep to the right to cross the longest bridge and stay on the Unicoi to Helen Trail; to the left again puts you on the Bottoms Loop Trail.
The Unicoi to Helen Trail then follows alongside Smith Creek for a ways. It will again cross Smith Creek at another wooden footbridge.
From here, the trail crosses the park’s Mountain Bike Trail, so be sure to keep a look out for mountain bikers at intersections, and be sure not to take any detours onto the Mountain Bike Trail as it is exclusively for bikers.
The Unicoi to Helen Trail reaches Unicoi Hill Park in Helen at about 2.6 miles. This is a great opportunity to stop for lunch and explore some of the fun things to do in Helen.
Helen to Unicoi: The Hike Back
The rest of the Unicoi to Helen Trail is simple: you just follow the trail back the way you came!
The only moderately strenuous part of our hike back was the uphill climb near the beginning of the trail at Unicoi Lodge. Overall, this was an easy hike, though it was a suffocatingly humid day.
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:
Unicoi to Helen Trail Info
Hike length: 5.2 miles round-trip
Difficulty: Moderate
Is it pet-friendly?: Yes, leashed dogs are allowed on this trail.
Location: 1788 GA-356, Helen, GA 30545 (Unicoi State Park Lodge) or N Main St, Helen, GA 30545 (Unicoi Hill Park)
Parking: Parking is available at Unicoi State Park for a $5 fee. There is also free parking available at Unicoi Hill Park if you would like to start the hike from that direction.
Fees: $5 parking fee per vehicle at Unicoi State Park. Free parking at Unicoi Hill Park.
Hours: The trail is open from 7 a.m. to dark.
Accessibility: The Unicoi to Helen Trail is unpaved dirt trails with multiple inclines. The trails can be muddy at times.
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 North Georgia Hikes
Explore more of the North Georgia Mountains with these beautiful hiking trails nearby.
- Anna Ruby Falls Trail
- Tray Mountain Summit
- Brasstown Bald Summit
- DeSoto Falls Trail
- Preacher’s Rock from Woody Gap
- Hurricane Falls Trail
- Unicoi Lake Loop Trail
- Helen to Hardman Heritage Trail
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 Unicoi to Helen Trail in Helen, Georgia? Tell me about your adventure in the comments below!
You’re posts are so detailed!! They’re like a map! 🙂 Cloudland Canyon is the best place to hike in GA, in my opinion.
I definitely want to go to Cloudland Canyon!! I drive that way when I go see my parents in Alabama, so I’ll have to stop on the way sometime