RAMROCK MOUNTAIN

The walk to Ramrock Mountain 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 all the way to the rock outcropping that marks Ramrock Mountain (3,200 feet). From the parking lot, the trail leads through a picnic area and begins a very gradual 1.4 mile ascent through a forest of hardwoods.

The Appalachian Trail traverses the southern side of Black Mountain in the first mile, then descends slightly to Tritt Gap at 3,050 feet. From here, the Appalachian Trail climbs nearly 200 feet over the next 0.4 miles to Ramrock Mountain which is on the left. The rock outcropping has outstanding views to the south, and on a clear day turkey vultures are typically seen gliding through the skies. From the vista, the start of the Appalachian Trail is roughly twenty trail miles to the right at Springer Mountain.