Rabun Bald

David Everitt Howe

5 out of 5 stars★★★★★

What a spectacular trail! You start with lush, fern-lined and mossy surroundings, then switch to dense, magical rhododendron tunnels until you hit the peak. The view is jaw-dropping. It’s maybe one of the most dramatic I’ve seen. It’s just spectacular. Park where Kelsey Mountain Road dead-ends. There’s a small national forest sign to signal you’re in the right place. The ascent is pretty easy I’d say., with very gradual switchbacks. It’s about 1.75 miles up and then 1.75 miles back down. It’ll elevate your heartbeat but not exhaust you.

Nate G

5 out of 5 stars★★★★★

great hike, limited parking. bring water, 1k elevation gain in 1.5miles

Jay K

5 out of 5 stars★★★★★

Incredible hike up in rain and cleared when we got to the top. It cleared up for food 360° views and trip down. We took shorter .8 loop side up to the trail that took you to the top, and took the slightly longer loop side down. Shorter hike was more traveled, both were easy to intermediate imo.

Seth Sorano

5 out of 5 stars★★★★★

Rabun Bald. One of the top 3 best views in North Georgia. Super easy to get to. Kelsey Mountain Rd dead-ends in front of a few driveways where you can park off to the side and the trailhead is straight back. The trail splits left and right but since it's a loop, it won't matter which one you take. At the top of the loop, another path leads to the summit. I'd rate the 1.6mi trek moderate and should take 45min - 1hr to reach the top.

VJ

5 out of 5 stars★★★★★

Hiked to Rabun Bald via Darnell Creek: 14.6 miles out and back and it took around 7.5 hrs. View from the summit was amazing. We saw only one other hiker on a cold Sunday in December.