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Waterfalls, Wildflowers, and Wineries

Destination: Dahlonega, GA

| Activities: Hiking, Wine, Cuisine

Northern Georgia, the jumping off point of the Appalachian Trail, is known for its gorgeous and rugged mountains, its towering waterfalls, and its ... wineries? Who knew?! Turns out the soil, climate, and elevation are not only great for hiking, they're also perfect for growing grapes for wine. So on this four-day getaway, we'll combine hiking to waterfalls with opportunities to visit wineries, learn about wine, and sampling some of the wonderful cuisine that can be found here. Maximum group size: 12

Highlights

Learning about wines during a private wine-tasting
Visiting the tallest waterfall east of the Mississippi
Enjoying moderate hikes in the north Georgia Mountains
Visiting several local wineries and the charming town of Dahlonega
Dining at some excellent local restaurants

Departures and Prices

April 29 to May 02, 2021

$1195.00 - FULL

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Inclusions

1 - 2 experienced AGC guides based on group size
Roundtrip transportation from the Atlanta Airport
All meals from dinner on the first day through brunch on the last
Three nights lodging in a beautiful vacation home shared by the group
All activities on the itinerary, including a private wine-tasting, hikes, and visits to wineries

What's not included: Travel to and from Atlanta, alcoholic beverages (other than the wine tastings which are included), guide gratuities, and travel insurance.

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These are suitable for any woman who regularly walks at a brisk pace 3 to 4 days a week for 35 - 45 minutes. There are typically 3 to 5 hours of daily activity.

This trip is suitable for any healthy active woman who wants to hike, look at wildflowers, learn about wine, and explore this beautiful area with its rich culture that ranges from its Appalachian roots to gourmet experiences. The hikes we've chosen are reasonably short, but they are in the mountains, so women should be in sufficient condition to hike uphill for a couple of hours.

The title pretty well sums up the trip: we'll be hiking on the Appalachian Trail as well as to waterfalls, stopping to enjoy all the wildflowers, and learning about wine with a private wine tasting and visits to local wineries. The day we climb Blood Mountain, 5 miles with an elevation gain of 1,300 feet, is longest hike. Other days are much less. This trip is suitable for novice and experienced hikers and drinkers. And even if you don't drink wine, learning about it is an interesting cultural experience.

We will spend three nights at the Retreat on the Ridge , a luxurious 7-bedroom 5.5 bath majestic mountain home where you can enjoy the north Georgia mountains in luxury, style, and convenience. It's seven miles north of downtown Dahlonega with spectacular panoramic views, a saltwater pool, and a fire pit. There are seven bedrooms that are a mix of single and shared rooms, plus a 4-person "bunkroom" with four beds (two singles and one bunkbed). There is a discount for the bunkroom, and three single rooms are available for a single supplement ($150); otherwise, rooms will be assigned randomly.

Below is the proposed itinerary for the trip. As is true on any adventure travel trip, plans for any specific day may be modified due to weather considerations, unforeseen circumstances, new opportunities, and group interests.

DAY 1

We pick you up at the Atlanta (ATL) airport at 12:30 p.m. and begin our adventure with a visit to Amicalola Falls State Park for a short hike on a paved trail with a series of steps. Amicalola Falls, at 729 feet, are the tallest cascading waterfalls east of the Mississippi River and often the last stop for hikers before they start their Appalachian Trail Thru Hike. After our hike and waterfall gawking, we continue to our hostel for dinner and a private wine tasting. A knowledgeable woman from the Dahlonega Tasting Room will educate us and our palates about wine as we taste several varieties. Well-fed and well exercised, we will be ready for bed tonight! (D)

DAY 2

After a hearty breakfast at the lodge, today we're going to see the very beginning of the Appalachian Trail - Springer Mountain! We'll look at the plaque there and imagine what it's like to stand there knowing you're about to attempt to hike 2200 miles. We'll be happy our hike today is only 5.2 miles! Our hike starts with a 500-foot ascent from the parking lot to the top of Springer Mountain, on a gradually ascending rocky and rooty trail. After taking pictures at the top, the rest of the hike is a gentle downhill, about 1200 feet, to 3 Forks. Along the way we'll pass Stover Creek Shelter where we can stop to eat our picnic lunch. We can also stop to soak our feet during several stream crossings, one of the true pleasures when hiking. Right before the end we'll pass through old growth hemlock - soaring trees that have disappeared along many sections of the trail. We'll return to the lodge in time to relax and clean up before going out to dinner that night at Shenanigan's Restaurant in downtown Dahlonega. (B,L,D)

DAY 3

Our hike today is the Raven Cliff Falls Hike, a 5 mile out and back hike. This trail follows Dodd Creek through the Raven Cliffs Wilderness Area to a massive dark bluff near the headwaters some 2.5 miles from the parking area. Because of the size of Ravens Cliffs and the lack of human interference, the area has abundant bird life including grosbeaks, vireos, and wild turkeys besides the ravens that give the area its name. From there we visit Cavender Creek Vineyards to check out their wines. We will also spend a few hours in Dahlonega; every Saturday folks bring their instrument(s) and just start playing and/or singing on the Dahlonega square, a weekly event known as Appalachian Jam. If Appalachian music is not your style, there are also lots of shops to check out. Dinner is at our lodging tonight, followed by s'mores around the fire. (B,L,D)

DAY 4

Our breakfast will be light this morning because we need to save room for the brunch at Wolf Mountain Vineyards. Brunch is typically buffet style and served with one glass of Estate wine. Before brunch, there is an optional 2-mile hike at DeSoto Falls. After savoring our last meal together, we head to the airport where you can plan a flight out after 5:30 p.m. (B, Brunch)

*These are the unfiltered reviews of women who have been on this trip in answer to the question "Did this trip meet your expectations?". We take reviews very seriously and often tweak itineraries based on feedback. Please feel free to contact us about any questions you have.

The trails selected were absolutely beautiful!

Waterfalls, Wildflowers, and Wineries 4/25/2019-4/28/2019

Beautiful weather, great guides, friendly group of women.

Waterfalls, Wildflowers, and Wineries 4/25/2019-4/28/2019

The location was spectacular

Waterfalls, Wildflowers, and Wineries 4/25/2019-4/28/2019

The scenery, the other trippers, the guides, our living arrangements, the Bear on the Square Festival, the wine tasting. All was great.

Waterfalls, Wildflowers, and Wineries 4/25/2019-4/28/2019

This trip was fabulous in every way--great hiking locations that were well suited to my fitness level, beautiful accommodations, delicious home-cooked meals and great wineries for dining out, knowledgeable leaders and a great group of women.

Waterfalls, Wildflowers, and Wineries 4/25/2019-4/28/2019

Meeting women from all over with varied backgrounds.

Waterfalls, Wildflowers, and Wineries 4/25/2019-4/28/2019

Trip was great overall. This was my 4th AGC trip, but first where we all stayed together in one building. I believe that led to even more group cohesion and enjoyment of one another than I've experienced in the past when we were spread out among buildings. Schedule was well-paced (i.e., never felt rushed to wake, eat, get ready). From the trip description, I expected the "wildflowers" part to have us looking at fields of blossoms, rather than a plant here and there along the path. What we saw was lovely and interesting; it was just different than my expectation.

Waterfalls, Wildflowers, and Wineries 4/25/2019-4/28/2019

Waterfalls, Wildflowers, and Wineries 5/3/2018-5/6/2018

The Falls were gorgeous.

Waterfalls, Wildflowers, and Wineries 5/3/2018-5/6/2018

Hikes, all women group, guides are great.

Waterfalls, Wildflowers, and Wineries 5/3/2018-5/6/2018

We so enjoyed seeing the beautiful north Georgia area! Both my sister and I are outdoorsy and it was just great to be guided by very knowledgeable ladies! It’s our first “leg” of the Appalachian trail!!

Waterfalls, Wildflowers, and Wineries 5/3/2018-5/6/2018

I just had the best time. Such a wonderful diverse group of women, good weather and beautiful surroundings. I'll be back next year!

Waterfalls, Wildflowers, and Wineries 5/3/2018-5/6/2018

The guides were great and GA was beautiful

Waterfalls, Wildflowers, and Wineries 5/3/2018-5/6/2018

Waterfalls, Wildflowers, and Wineries 5/4/2017-5/7/2017

I loved the wine tasting.The big rocks and roots were too much for me. The guides were great

Waterfalls, Wildflowers, and Wineries 5/4/2017-5/7/2017

The guides were excellent, the group was friendly, enjoyed meeting them. Food was good, the wine tasting at the hostel was great, and the brunch at Wolf Mountain was THE BEST, loved the place, and food was awesome. The restaurant dinner was also very good, very enjoable. The weather was unfortunately not good, there were no wild flowers, but the weather was the worst.

Waterfalls, Wildflowers, and Wineries 5/4/2017-5/7/2017

The hiking trails and waterfalls were beautiful! I learned quite a bit about the AT that I didn't know. The guides were wonderful and other participants great to get to know. Had great fun!

Waterfalls, Wildflowers, and Wineries 5/4/2017-5/7/2017

very well organized even with rainy weather

Waterfalls, Wildflowers, and Wineries 5/4/2017-5/7/2017

The company of wonderful women, the great guides and the beautiful trails. It was a great get away weekend.

Waterfalls, Wildflowers, and Wineries 5/4/2017-5/7/2017

Difficult to point to one highlight, I thoroughly enjoyed the entire trip. The third day was the best, the weather was gorgeous and the hiking dry.

Waterfalls, Wildflowers, and Wineries 5/4/2017-5/7/2017

Finishing the Blood Mountain hike!!!