BLACK MOUNTAIN RIDGE

Black Mountain sits above Woody Gap and is accessed by a restricted side trail. On this hike, we used the Appalachian Trail to access the lower section of the Black Mountain Ridge where we camped, then did an 0.8 mile side hike to Ramrock Mountain – which has outstanding views to the Southwest. On a very clear winter day, you can see the skyline of downtown and midtown Atlanta on the horizon – particularly when the sun sets behind the tallest buildings.

This is an in-and-out, backtrack hike that is ideal for day hiking, but it can also be done as an easy overnight backpacking trip. The hike begins on GA 60 at Woody Gap and follows the white blazes of the Appalachian Trail to Black Mountain Ridge or you can continue all the way to the rock outcropping that marks Ramrock Mountain (3,200 feet) for a moderate 1.4 mile hike through a forest of hardwoods.