Len Foote Hike Inn (via Nimblewill Gap)

The Len Foote Hike Inn is a unique backcountry lodge located in the mountains near Amicalola Falls State Park and the Chattahoochee National Forest in North Georgia. Designed for hikers who enjoy the beauty and solitude of the wilderness but prefer a comfortable bed, hot showers, and freshly prepared meals instead of traditional backcountry camping, the Inn offers a distinctive way to experience the mountains. Completed in the late 1990s, the facility is accessible only on foot, helping preserve its peaceful setting and giving visitors a genuine sense of leaving the everyday world behind. The traditional approach begins at the top of Amicalola Falls and follows a moderately easy, approximately five-mile trail through the surrounding forest. Along the way, hikers cross small streams, travel over wooded ridges, and enjoy the quiet scenery of the North Georgia mountains. The hike can also be combined with the blue-blazed Appalachian Approach Trail to create a loop that returns to Amicalola Falls and the Hike Inn parking area. With its combination of outdoor adventure and comfortable accommodations, the Len Foote Hike Inn is an appealing destination for hikers who want to enjoy a backcountry experience without carrying camping equipment or giving up a few creature comforts.

This was our third trip to the Len Foote Hike Inn, and on this visit we decided to approach the lodge from Nimblewill Gap rather than use the traditional route from Amicalola Falls. Reaching the gap requires driving USFS Road 28, a long, rough forest road that can be challenging in places. I highly recommend using a four-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive vehicle with good ground clearance, particularly if road conditions are poor. From Nimblewill Gap, the hike to the Inn covers approximately 1.6 miles. The route begins by following the blue-blazed Appalachian Approach Trail south for about 0.6 mile before connecting with the lime-green-blazed Hike Inn Trail for the remaining mile to the facility. The hike starts with a climb of roughly 300 feet from the gap, making the first section the most strenuous part of the walk. Once the initial ascent is complete, the route becomes easier as it continues through the forest toward the Inn. Although this approach is shorter than the traditional five-mile hike from Amicalola Falls, it still provides an enjoyable walk through the mountain landscape and offers a convenient alternative for visitors who want to reach the lodge without completing the longer approach.