Back
Highway 75: Helen to Hiawassee, Chattahoochee National Forest, Georgia
Photo: Harrison Keely · CC BY 4.0

Drives Georgia North Georgia and the Upstate

Highway 75: Helen to Hiawassee

GA 75, US 76, Unicoi Turnpike · Helen → US 76 near Hiawassee

Twisty18.5 mi30 min2,400 ft climbHigh point ≈ 2,900 ftOne way
Scan to drive it in CarvePoint a phone's camera here. It opens ready to drive.
Drive it in Carve, free

Opens this route in the app, or where to get it.

Drive this road
in the appOpen

The drive

Georgia 75 climbs out of Helen, the Bavarian-style town in the Chattahoochee valley, and crosses Unicoi Gap at about 2,900 feet. It then drops north toward Hiawassee. The Appalachian Trail crosses the road at the gap, on its way from Georgia to Maine.

The drive follows GA 17 and 75 out of Helen and into the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest, with a gentle approach and then tighter bends on the climb and the descent. About eight miles north of Helen, Unicoi State Park and the Andrew's Cove campground sit beside the highway. The route is part of the Russell-Brasstown Scenic Byway, a National Scenic Byway since 2000, and it is at its best in spring wildflowers and fall color.

The drive ends on US 76 near Hiawassee, 18.5 miles and about 30 minutes from Helen. From there, the US 76 drive carries on east over Dicks Creek Gap toward Clayton.

Along the way

  1. Helen (Main Street)
  2. US 76 near Hiawassee
Elevation
2,400 ft of climbing · high point ≈ 2,900 ft
HelenUS 76 near Hiawassee
Curves
Mostly gentle, with two twisty stretches
HelenUS 76 near Hiawassee
GentleHairpins

Good to know

  • Fall color is the busy season; outside it, the road is quiet.
  • The Unicoi Gap pull-off is a trailhead lot for Appalachian Trail hikers, so watch for people on the road edge.
  • Unicoi State Park and Andrew's Cove campground are on the highway about eight miles north of Helen.

Open all year, weather permitting. Roads close for snow, fire, storms and repairs: before you set off, check Georgia 511.

Questions about this drive

How long does Highway 75 from Helen to Hiawassee take?

Georgia 75 from Helen to US 76 near Hiawassee is 18.5 miles on this route and takes about 30 minutes.

Does the Appalachian Trail cross Georgia Highway 75?

Yes. The Appalachian Trail crosses Georgia 75 at Unicoi Gap, between Helen and Hiawassee.

Is Highway 75 through Unicoi Gap a scenic byway?

Yes. GA 17/75 is part of the Russell-Brasstown Scenic Byway, a National Scenic Byway designated in 2000.

When is the best time to drive Highway 75 near Helen?

Spring wildflowers and fall color are the best times, according to the Forest Service. Fall brings the most traffic.

What you get in the app

Turn by turn, on this roadSpoken directions along the exact route. Carve never reroutes you onto a faster one.
Preview it in 3DFly the whole drive over satellite and terrain before you go.
Drive it with no signalAPEXDownload the map and every turn before you go.
Live Group TrackingAPEXEveryone on the route, on the map, by name.
Road conditionsAPEXWet or dry, ice, fog and wind along the road before you go.
Record your drivesAPEXRecord a drive and turn it into a route to drive again or share.

Free on iPhone and Android. CarPlay and Android Auto come with Apex.

Download on theApp StoreEarly access onGoogle Play

More drives near here

All 16 drives in Georgia ›

Distance, time, elevation, curves and intensity are from Carve's route. Checked 2026-10-28.

+ Plan a new route
Map of Highway 75: Helen to Hiawassee, from Helen to US 76 near Hiawassee