From Atlanta

Driving time is about 1-1/2 hours from Buckhead, using I-75.

Coldwell Banker High Country Realty is located at the intersection of Hwy 515 and Hwy 5 in Blue Ridge. It is directly across the street from the Blue Ridge McDonald’s.

If you are close to the I-75 corridor, take I-75 to I-575 (near Town Center Mall). When the limited access drops off (near Ball Ground) I-575 becomes 515, which is also variously designated at times as Hwy 76, Hwy 5, the Zell Miller Parkway, and the APD Highway. This is the only four-lane road in our area (Gilmer, Fannin, and Union counties) and in these parts, it is simply referred to as “the four-lane.” This is the quickest route from Atlanta.

If you are closer to GA 400, there are several routes:

Probably the fastest route is to take 400 to just north of Dawsonville. Go three miles north of the intersection of 400 and 53 (you will see a clock tower at the shopping center on the left). Turn left on 136 (the Gold Creek Parkway) and follow it to the turnoff to Amicalola Falls. (You will be briefly on 183. Don’t turn left on 136 to Talking Rock, but continue straight a mile or two to the turnoff to Amicalola Falls.) At this intersection, which is a Y, you go left, up the hill, on 52. When you get close to Ellijay, the Cartecay River is close to the road on the left. Shortly after you pass the entrance to Walnut Mountain, you turn right on an access road that leads to 515 (the four-lane). If you miss this turn, you will go under 515. Turn north on the four-lane, and follow it another 15 miles into Blue Ridge.

You can also cross over from 400 to 75 by following Route 20 from Cumming to Canton. You will then turn north on 575 and follow the directions above.

You can also go to the end of 400, go through Dahlonega, and then take GA 60 through Suches and Morganton. When you get to Morganton, follow 60. The Morganton post office will be on your left and you will turn right just after passing the Georgia Forestry Commission Office (on the left). This will take you to the four-lane. Turn left, going approximately four miles to the McDonald’s and Hwy 5. This is definitely the scenic route, as you pass through Woody Gap and miles of national forest. This is a famous route for motorcyclists and sports car enthusiasts. It also takes the longest.

From Athens, Georgia

Driving time is about 2-1/2 hours.

Take Route 129 through Jefferson to Gainesville (this is also designated Alt. 15 and Route 11 in places). At Gainesville, jog off to the left past the civic center to a right on Route 53. At the intersection of Route 53 and GA 400, turn right and go three miles north to GA 136. Turn left on 136 (the Gold Creek Parkway) and follow it to the turnoff to Amicalola Falls. (You will be briefly on 183. Don’t turn left on 136 when it turns left down to Talking Rock, but continue straight a mile or two to the turnoff to Amicalola Falls.) At this intersection, which is a Y, you go left, up the hill, on 52. When you get close to Ellijay, the Cartecay River is close to the road on the left. Shortly after you pass the entrance to Walnut Mountain, you turn right on an access road that leads to 515 (the four-lane). If you miss this turn, you will go under 515. Turn north on the four-lane, and follow it another 15 miles into Blue Ridge.

From Knoxville

Driving time is about 2-1/2 hours from East Knoxville.

Take I-75 south to Exit 60 (Sweetwater). Follow TN 68 south through Tellico Plains to Ducktown. Cross 64/75, continuing straight to Copperhill. You will pass the chemical plant. At the three-way stop with the IGA on the left, turn right on Hwy 5. You will immediately cross the river. Continue south on Hwy 5 until you reach the four-lane (515). Coldwell Banker High Country Realty is just across from the McDonald’s at this intersection.

You can also continue south on I-75 to Cleveland. Take Exit 25 to access the bypass. From the bypass, take Route 40 toward Ocoee, Parksville, and Route 64/74. You will probably see billboards advertising rafting. This is also called the “Old Copper Road.” You pass the Olympic whitewater venue, following the river. At Ducktown, turn right on Hwy 68 toward Copperhill. You will pass the chemical plant. At the three-way stop with the IGA on the right, turn right on Hwy 5. You will immediately cross the river. Continue south on Hwy 5 until you reach the four-lane (515). Coldwell Banker High Country Realty is just across from the McDonald’s at this intersection.

Note: This looks like a better route on paper, but driving time is about the same and Route 68 is more scenic. There is a bad fog area near the Bowater Plant north of Cleveland, making this route a poor choice in bad weather. There is also a good chance of congestion along the river due to the commercial rafting business.

From Chattanooga

Driving time is about 1-1/2 hours.

Take I-75 north to Exit 20 (Cleveland) to access the bypass. From the bypass, take Route 40 toward Ocoee, Parksville, and Route 64/74. You will probably see billboards advertising rafting. This is also called the “Old Copper Road.” You pass the Olympic whitewater venue, following the river. At Ducktown, turn right on Hwy 68 toward Copperhill. You will pass the chemical plant. At the three-way stop with the IGA on the right, turn right on Hwy 5. You will immediately cross the river. Continue south on Hwy 5 until you reach the four-lane (515). Coldwell Banker High Country Realty is just across from the McDonald’s at this intersection.

If you are close to Dalton, Georgia, you can also follow the directions from Dalton.

From Dalton, GA

Driving time is about an hour.

Take Route 76 through Chatsworth to Ellijay on Route 76/282. At the intersection with 515 in East Ellijay, turn left, going north for approximately 15 miles to the intersection of 515 and Hwy 5.

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