WILDCAT MOUNTAIN
Chattahoochee National Forest
508 Oak Street NW
Gainesville, GA 30501
(404) 536-0541
This is a short day-hike to Wildcat Mountain that ends at a ridgeline with 180 degree views across the valley and to Cowrock Mountain. It starts at the Hogpen Gap parking area and follows the Appalachian Trail southbound climbing 200′ in the first 0.3 miles until you reach a junction to the blue-blazed Whitley Gap Shelter trail. Turn left onto this trail and continue a gradual climb to Wildcat Mountain at 3698 feet and an outstanding view just past it at 0.9 miles.
If you are looking for an overnight option in this area, you can continue along the ridgeline and descend another 0.6 miles to reach Whitley Gap Shelter where there is a spring and flat area in front of the structure for tent camping. From Hogpen Gap, it is 0.9 miles one-way to reach the Wildcat Mountain viewpoint or 1.5 miles to reach the shelter.
- click to see photos from our backpacking trip to Wildcat Mountain: October 17, 2020 (password protected)
- click to read a trip report from this hike starting at Hogpen Gap: October 17, 2020 (password protected)
- click for a Wildcat Mountain trail and profile map (password required)
- click to view a Wolf Laurel Top to Unicoi Gap profile map, Wolf Laurel Top to Chattahoochee Gap trail map (password required),
- click for Georgia Appalachian Trail overview map, Georgia Appalachian Trail profile map (password required)
- click for a movie of this hike to Wildcat Mountain and Whitley Gap in 2015
- click to see a backpacking trip where we stayed at the nearby Whitley Gap Shelter
- click to see some other hikes to Wildcat Mountain
- click to YourHikes for more information on this hike near Hogpen Gap
- click for guidebook information: section preview, through mile 0.4, through mile 4.4 (password required)
- click to go to the Hikes discussion forum
- click for links to other outdoor books and magazines
- click to add your hike, trip report, or feedback for this destination
