Highway 180 Spur to Brasstown Bald Summit Road

The narrow paved spur road to Brasstown Bald’s summit climbs the final 2.5 miles to Georgia’s rooftop at 4,784 feet, winding through dense Appalachian forest that transitions from hardwood to high-elevation spruce-fir. Built in the 1960s to access the FAA radar installation, this steep mountain road gains 800 vertical feet in just over two miles, with hairpin turns that’ll test your trailer-towing skills. The summit parking area sits just below the observation tower, where clear days reveal four states spreading out like a topo map.

This is an easy scenic drive suitable for any vehicle, though RVs over 30 feet struggle with the tight switchbacks. Open year-round except during ice storms, but fall foliage season (October) brings heavy traffic. No permits required, but the summit parking lot fills fast on weekends. Bring a jacket—it’s typically 10-15 degrees cooler than the valley floor. The payoff is standing on Georgia’s highest point with views stretching from the Smokies to the Atlanta skyline on exceptional days.