Benton Mackaye Trail 10B Dally Gap To Big Frog Mountain
Under seven miles and thirty six hundred feet of gain to the top of Big Frog.
- Distance
- 6.8 mi one way
- Elevation gain
- 3,661 ft
- Trail type
- Point to Point
- Difficulty
- Strenuous
- Crossings
- No crossings recorded
- Best season
- Spring through fall.
Wilderness status
Inside Cohutta Wilderness
Bicycles
Bicycles are prohibited on this trail. Mechanized transport, including mountain bikes, is banned in designated wilderness under federal law by the Wilderness Act of 1964. This is enforced by the Forest Service. Do not ride here.
The trail
Thirty six hundred feet of gain in six and eight tenths miles is the steepest ratio on this entire list. The Benton MacKaye leaves Dally Gap and works north to Big Frog Mountain, crossing into Tennessee along the way, and it does not waste distance getting there.
As a point to point it needs a shuttle. Thru hikers on the Benton MacKaye come through here already fit and still talk about this section.
Marquee feature
Climb to Big Frog Mountain on the Benton MacKaye
Getting there
Forest Service roads to the Cohutta trailheads are gravel, seasonally gated, and often without cell service. Download directions before you leave pavement.
Access roads and winter closures
Open trailhead in Google Maps
Stay near the trailheads
Sherpa Camp — a cabin at the edge of the wilderness.
The drive in from Atlanta or Chattanooga is long enough that most people are better off sleeping near the gate than starting at 4 a.m. Sherpa Camp is a small cabin on Holly Creek, on the western edge of the Cohutta Wilderness, about 25 minutes from Ellijay. It sleeps five, with a covered porch, a firepit, and a creek. Cell service ends before you get there.
See Sherpa Camp