Walking the Helen to Hardman Heritage Trail in Helen, GA

Walk along the ADA accessible Helen to Hardman Heritage Trail in Helen, Georgia for an easy scenic stroll along the banks of the Chattahoochee River.

This easy, paved trail is a 2 mile out-and-back walk from the town of Helen to the Hardman Farm State Historic Site and back.

Along the way, you’ll learn about the area’s history as well as about native plants and animals. Here’s everything you need to know about the Helen to Hardman Heritage Trail.

Walking the Helen to Hardman Heritage Trail

The Helen to Hardman Heritage Trail is a 1 mile paved trail one way departing from either a dedicated parking lot near the Helen Waterpark or from the visitor center of the Hardman Farm State Historic Site.

Parking is available at both ends, but I recommend starting from the Helen side since parking on the Hardman Farm side involves a lot of stairs.

The trail begins by crossing over a bridge across the Chattahoochee River. To the left, off of the official trail, there are remnants of old mining equipment from the Plattsburgh Mining Company that has been left to the elements.

The trail continues to the right. The path is paved and nice and wide. Along the way, there are informational plaques that tell you about Helen’s history and the native wildlife and plants in the area.

You’ll learn about the Mississippian people who first lived here, the gold rush, and the mountain town’s revival. You’ll walk along the old Gainesville & Northwestern Railroad line, whose old depot is now the visitor center at the Hardman Farm State Historic Site. And you’ll see Nora Mill across the river, a grist mill known for their grits.

The walk along the trail is flat and easy with mostly paved concrete and some boardwalk. It’s ADA accessible, so you can take the trail with wheelchairs and strollers. It’s also open to dog walkers and bikers.

When Kevin and I walked the trail, we departed from the Helen parking lot and it took about 30-40 minutes for the entire 2 mile round-trip walk.

I recommend getting an early start if you’re visiting in the warmer months so you can avoid the Georgia heat!

Helen to Hardman Heritage Trail Info

Hike length: 2 miles round-trip

Difficulty: Easy

Is it pet-friendly?: Yes, leashed dogs are allowed on this trail.

Location: 89-81 Edelweiss Strasse, Helen, GA 30545 (the Alpine Helen parking lot is located off of Edelweiss Strasse behind the Helen City Waste Water Plant and across from the Days Inn by Wyndham Helen; there is a sign that points you to the parking lot) or Hardman Farm Parking (the Hardman Farm parking lot is located at the end of Hardman Farm Road; you’ll take the stairs down to the visitor center and follow the paved path to the right to reach the start of the trail)

Parking: Free parking is available at the Helen parking lot and at the Hardman Farm parking lot.

Fees: None.

Hours: The trail is open from dawn to dusk.

Accessibility: The Helen to Hardman Heritage Trail is a paved and boardwalk ADA-accessible trail.

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

---

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 walked the Helen to Hardman Heritage Trail in Helen, Georgia? Tell me about your adventure in the comments below!