Adjacent Areas Watershed
4.3 mi
Distance
+757 ft
Elevation Gain
out and back
Trail Type
—
Crossings
A 6.5-mile out-and-back trail climbing to a historic fire lookout tower with panoramic views of the Cohutta Mountains and surrounding national forest.
The Fire Tower Trail climbs to one of the last remaining fire lookout towers in the Chattahoochee National Forest, offering panoramic views that once served as an early warning system for wildfires across the region. Sadly, the tower has now been put off limits for visitors and is surrounded by a metal fence due to vandalism and the structural integrity of the tower.
The 6.5-mile out-and-back route gains 1,500 feet through mixed hardwood forest before emerging at the tower clearing. The views from the tower cab extend across the Cohutta Wilderness to the north, Fort Mountain to the south, and the Blue Ridge to the east.
This is one of the most rewarding moderate hikes in the region, combining historical interest with exceptional scenery.
Safety Notes
The tower stairs can be slippery when wet. The tower is open to visitors but climb at your own risk. The ridge is exposed to lightning — descend immediately if thunderstorms approach.