My Little Log Cabin

We don’t usually associate the word “Alpine” with the Blue Ridge Mountains of north Georgia, but the city of Helen is a little sample of the Bavarian Alps that found its way into this expanse of Dixie. In addition to the hiking trails and whitewater rafting you would be expecting to come across in this part of the southern Appalachians, there is a three month Oktoberfest that lasts from the late summer until the midpoint of fall every year, a customary Bavarian Christmas Alpenlights celebration, and yet another transplanted Germanic tradition, das volksmarch. The best place to participate in Oktoberfest is from one of the various cabin rental accommodations in the area, or a deluxe room in one of Helen’s tasteful European themed inns.

Originally inhabited by Cherokee Indians, the vicinity was the site of a gold discovery in 1828. For over seventy years, prospectors and commercial mining companies worked deposits that rivaled those in the Rockies and the Sierras. The gold fields were mostly dredged out by 1900, but the wood industry moved in soon after. With the installation of the railroad, the town of Helen was established in 1913. The timber trade was short lived. By 1931, the trees were cut down and by 1960, all that remained was a row of cement block houses. The town’s revitalization commenced in the early 1970s as it begun to reinvent itself in the Bavarian style, inspired by an artist who had served with the U.S. Army in Germany. These days, Helen is one of the top vacation destination resorts in the region.

The Chattahoochie River supplies recreational opportunities for whitewater rafting and inner tubing, while the encircling mountains offer hikers a chance to get out into nature and the varied woodland species up close and personal. Mountain cabins that include hot tubs are obtainable for romantic getaways, and the town itself is residence to various specialty shops and four star bistros, including an authentic Bavarian Hofbrau Haus, featuring the unique cuisine of Germany’s southern region. German and northern Italian cuisine may also be enjoyed at The Troll, one of Helen’s more flavorful eateries.

Easily available family outdoor activities include golf, mountain biking, fishing and horseback riding. In fact, there is virtually no better means to tour this part of the Blue Ridge than from the back of a horse. Check out Chattahoochie Backcountry Treks and Sunburst Stables for more information.

For hikers, one of the most interesting sights is Anna Ruby Falls, one of the four waterfalls in the immediate area in Unicoi State Park. The falls are a little over 800 yards from an enhanced public access area, and are in fact two separate falls with the larger of the two topping out at more than 150 feet high.

Of course, just because you are out in and among nature does not mean you have to rough it. North Georgia romantic getaways include all the comforts of home including cable TV and wireless internet access. The owners of these accomodations are more than pleased to share the diverse history of the region as well as recommend other interesting site seeing tours and delicious neighborhood dining establishments.

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· Filed Under Outdoor Sports