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This 1.3 mile loop trail circles the top of Fort Mountain and takes visitors to the enigmatic wall that gives the mountain its name. Access is also allowed to the fire tower at the top of the mountain and a scenic overlook.

Wall at Fort Mountain

Many myths surround the wall that sits on the top of Fort Mountain. To review all the legends, please see Fort Mountain State Park from About North Georgia.

From the parking lot take the path heading northwest to hike this trail counter-clockwise. This is the way current signage in the park will take you, and it is our choice because it saves the wall for last. The path clings to the mountainside precariously in some places, as a wide road in others. At .4 miles a red blazed path comes off to left, a short-cut to the fire tower built in the 1930's by the Civilian Conservation Corps. This is the first of the trails that goes to the fire tower on the peak, the observation deck and the stone wall. Our prefered trail, however, is the North Face Loop, which can be hiked by continueing straight along the yellow-blazed trail. This rocky path requires careful navigation as it repeatedly nears sharp drops until it turns to climb a set of rock stairs originally built by the CCC and reworked on many occasions.

As you continue around the scenic overlook is off to the right at a well-marked intersection of three trails. Take the trail to the right down a path that quickly steepens until it turns to rocks that form rudimentary stairs. Finally the drop abates and a wooden scenic lookout extends past the trees on the mountain, allowing a bird's eye view of Chatsworth, more than 2,000 feet below.

Returning from the overlook continue straight and climb to the fire tower at the zenith of Fort Mountain. Climbing the tower is permitted, although tree growth has blocked the views during the Summer. Good views can still be seen in the late Fall and Winter.

From here, walk down the blue blazed trail to the wall. The trail cuts through the center of the wall, but you are welcome to spend a few minutes exploring the crevices. Look for the 29 pits that extend the length of the wall at regular intervals. Probably built by Woodland Indians there were a number of similar walls in the area.

Continue down the steps to the parking lot.

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Fort Mountain Loop
Fort Mountain Loop maps and directions
Trail reports for Fort Mountain Loop
Historic reports for Fort Mountain Loop