This 40-mile Scenic Drive in Georgia Has Some of the Most Stunning Fall Foliage in the State

As you start to plot out some leaf-peeping adventures for the fall, consider adding North Georgia—specifically, the Russell-Brasstown Scenic Byway—to your travel plans. 

“While the North Georgia mountain roads offer a plethora of scenic opportunities to view the changing autumn landscape, there are few that compare to the Russell-Brasstown Scenic Byway,” Jake Scott, co-owner of Wander North Georgia, tells Travel + Leisure. “This route offers a bit of everything—from cascading waterfalls and roadside bluffs to unobstructed views of the southern Blue Ridge Mountains and access to Georgia’s tallest mountain—crosses the Appalachian Trail, and drops into the historic little Bavarian-style town of Helen, showing off the glorious fall colors along the way.”

Historically, peak fall foliage in North Georgia typically arrives in mid-to-late October and can last until mid-November at lower elevations. The National Scenic Byway’s elevation varies, but one of the points of interest just off the 40.6-mile byway is the Brasstown Bald Visitors Center; it sits atop Georgia’s highest mountain, Brasstown Bald, at 4,784 feet above sea level. Here, panoramic mountain and valley views are plentiful.

The Russell-Brasstown Scenic Byway is a looped route, one that meanders through the Chattahoochee National Forest and encircles the headwaters of the Chattahoochee River. Without stopping, the drive takes between 1.5 and two hours, but you’ll definitely want to give yourself more time to check out all of the scenic stops and natural beauty along the way. Pro tip: According to Scott, the best time to make the drive is mid-week. “The crowds can be overwhelming during peak season on the weekends,” he warns. 

Best Things to See and Do

One of the highlights of the Russell-Brasstown Scenic Byway is its access to hiking trails, so make sure to bring decent walking or hiking shoes and a warm layer or two. “It is rare that we travel the byway without stopping at Raven Cliffs Falls,” says Scott. “This is an easy hike to one of the most unique waterfalls in the area and well worth the walk through the fall canopy.”

You don’t necessarily have to do much hiking to enjoy all that the byway has to offer, though. Scott describes Hogpen Gap as “arguably the prettiest overlook on the byway” and a “stop that can’t be missed.” Without having to walk too far from your car, you’ll get to witness an “excellent view of the southern Appalachian foliage.”

Scott calls Brasstown Bald the “crown jewel” of the route. To access the visitor center’s 360-degree observation deck, pay the $8 entrance fee and either hike half a mile to the top or take the shuttle. Weather permitting, you may even be able to see four states: Georgia, Tennessee, North Carolina, and South Carolina. “This is also one of our go-to places to view the starry night sky,” adds Scott. 

For a bit of classic road trip nostalgia, stop by Fred’s Famous Boiled Peanuts, which has been selling boiled peanuts since 1982. “Fred’s is located on the byway between Helen and Unicoi State Park, and we never pass without picking up a bag of boiled peanuts and a Coke to enjoy along the ride,” says Scott. 

What to Do in Helen

If you’re coming from out of town and plan on spending a few days in the area, make Helen, Georgia, your base camp. “The Bavarian-style town of Helen is a unique and incredibly popular town that is located at the southern portion of the byway and is the perfect way to start and finish your ramble along the byway,” says Scott. 

While there, he recommends stopping at Betty’s Country Store, “a staple of the area,” to stock up on snacks and other goodies, and relaxing in one of the town’s Oktoberfest-style tents, “enjoying a cold beer at the end of our day and allowing the kids to play games and walk in and out of the many shops in town.” Helen is known for the longest-running Oktoberfest in the U.S., and you can participate in the festivities between Sept. 4 and Nov. 2. 

Other Nearby Stops

Since you’ll only need a half-day or so to drive and explore the Russell-Brasstown Scenic Byway, you may want to fill out your itinerary with a few other nearby points of interest. In Sautee, a town south of the byway, you’ll find the Old Sautee Store. 

“The store has been functioning since the late 1800s and is a time capsule,” says Scott. “You walk into the store and are greeted with items from years gone by. The original counters, products, registers, etc., are still there for you to experience. Then you walk into the main store and must experience the farmer cheese on a gingersnap and warm wassail…childhood memories flood in with each bite.”

If you’re searching for more outdoorsy things to do, he recommends Unicoi State Park and Anna Ruby Falls. “These are located just off the byway and offer beautiful views of the small mountain lake and the gorgeous Anna Ruby Falls, as well as trout stream, hiking trails, and camping,” he says.