The Unicoi to Helen Trail is a local favorite – perfect for a moderate afternoon hike with the family. It offers a few nice inclines to get the heart rate up. However these are balanced with some gentle descents and refreshing meanderings along a mountain stream.

Details:

• Name: Unicoil to Helen Trail
• Specs: Just under 6 miles round trip. 673 ft elevation gain. Moderate.
• Address: Unicoi Hill Park, Helen, Georgia OR Unicoi State Park Lodge
• Parking fees: $0 in Helen, $5 at the lodge
• Foot Traffic: Moderate on weekdays. I always see other hikers on this trail, but not so many that it feels crowded.
• Restrooms: Helen public restrooms are located down the hill from Unicoi Hill Park. There are also restrooms at Unicoi Lodge.
• Cell Service: Decent.
• Time Required to Complete: Approximately 2.5 hours hours depending on how much time you spend at the Lodge.

Trail Journal

Getting There

There are two options for hiking this trail. The first is to start at Unicoi Hill on White Strasse in downtown Helen. From Main Street, turn at Hofer’s Bakery. The parking area is on the right, behind the playground. Parking here is free but may be full on weekends and holidays.

The second option is to park at Unicoi Lodge. This requires either a $5 parking fee or annual state park pass.

We choose to park in Helen on this day.

The Trail

The trailhead is just behind the parking area and is marked with a sign. Brand new orange diamond blazes mark the way.

We begin with a nice incline through the woods, running roughly parallel with the road. We briefly exit the woods and walk on the shoulder for several yards. Then we reenter the woods at the property line of the state park.

The path is quite smooth with relatively few rocks or roots compared to most in our region. In many places, it is wide enough for two of us to walk side-by-side. The dirt is nicely compacted. That is probably one reason for this trail’s popularity.

We pass an intersection with Unicoi’s mountain bike trail. It is well marked. There are a few other trail intersections, but signage clearly directs us toward the lodge. Benches interspersed along the way invite passers-by to sit quietly for a moment and just soak in the sights, sounds, and scents of nature.

Nature Therapy

The snails are out today. We see many large ones all along our path. Unfortunately, we also see a pile of dog poo which was left at the edge of the trail. YUCK! However the snails seem to LOVE this; nearly a dozen are congregated on and around the pile.

We come to a mountain stream and follow it for a bit. The trail is flat and quite muddy, and the air is much cooler here. Fly fishermen are often spotted in this area. Wooden bridges take us over the stream at various points – so there are no precarious water crossings to worry about on this trail.

Suddenly the woods open up to a wide, green field. We dream of picnics and children chasing butterflies or playing tag. A few scattered trees promise shade from summer heat. Today the weather is too cold and the ground is much too wet for such things. So we continue walking. On a distant hill we see the lodge rising above the trees; it seems so close!

At the end of the field we reenter the woods and start a long, mostly gradual climb up to the lodge. The trail crosses a service road and continues upward. Then a nature trail meanders off to the right. We keep climbing.

Overhead we hear voices. People in harnesses and helmets are ziplining through the trees! We are getting close. Just before we reach the highway, we turn left and ascend a long set of stairs to the parking lot of the lodge and zipline company.

The Lodge

Inside the lodge are restrooms, a gift shop, and even a restaurant. We walk around the outside of the building to the back of the lodge where tables, benches, a fire pit, and swings are available. The redbud trees and dogwoods are blooming in this courtyard on this day.

There is an overlook with a view of the mountains and the field below. We enjoy lunch at the tables on the overlook. As we finish up, a few tiny raindrops dance in the wind so we pack up and head back toward Helen.

Officially Snake Season

On our return trip, a fellow hiker encourages us to look over the side of a bridge. A large water snake is moving along the rocks in the water! Air temperatures are only in the upper 50s, and that water must be cold. Yet he does not seem to mind.

Later, we pass more hikers who kindly warn us that a ring-neck snake was crossing the trail ahead of us just moments ago. We keep watch but never see him. Even so, I am certain he saw us. It is officially snake season.

What a wonderful spring day!

Where have you hiked lately? Share in the comments.