Looking for a quick escape into the beauty of the North Georgia Mountains? Cowrock Mountain has you covered with its 1.8-mile round-trip trail—a perfect choice for a refreshing morning hike. As you navigate this trail, be prepared to be treated to breathtaking views of the surrounding landscapes! This is definitely one of the most underrated trails in Georgia, so you likely won’t run into too many others on the trail.
Getting to Cowrock Mountain
There are two ways to get to Cowrock Mountain: via Tesnatee Gap or Hogpen Gap. I was looking for a short hike so I started at the Tesnatee Gap Trailhead.
On google map when I put in Cowrock Mountain it takes me directly to the trailhead, however you can also put in Tesnatee Gap Trailhead. This takes you to a small parking lot that holds roughly 10-15 cars.
The Trail
The trail starts off on the left side of the parking area. You’ll follow the stairs around the curve. At the start of the trail you should see a sign for Neel’s Gap, if you see this, you’ll know you are in the right place!
While the stairs end pretty quickly, the trail does immediately start gaining elevation. At some points the trail is a little overgrown, taking you through tall weeds on both sides, but it doesn’t last for long. The trail is pretty rocky the whole way up, so I’d definitely recommend wearing hiking boots if you have a pair! After a few switchbacks, you’ll come to a clearing in the trees and see a large rocky surface. From here you can enjoy the gorgeous views of the mountains!
Be careful at the top because I have heard that a family of copperheads live under one of the rocks at the top. Always be aware of the where your walking and stay away from the cervices in these rocks!
When you are ready to head back, just retrace your steps back to the car.
More Hikes in the Area
If you’re in the mood for another short hike there are a few options in the area.
On a hot summer day, headed over to Helton Creek Falls, where you can take a swim at the bottom of the falls.
You can also visit Vogel State Park which has several hiking trails, including Trahlyta Falls.
Another option would be to visit Desoto Falls, just gives you views of three waterfalls, however you can’t swim in any of these
