Bell Mountain near Hiawassee, Georgia was a unique spot offering some of the most spectacular views in North Georgia, with clear views of Lake Chatuge and the surrounding Blue Ridge mountains. Honestly, before you die, you must watch the sunset here — it's unforgettable.
Interesting History
Bell Mountain has an interesting history. Originally, the mountain was privately owned and was partially quarried for minerals in the mid-20th century, which is why the top appears somewhat flat and altered. In 2015, the property was donated to Towns County, which developed it into a public park.
The mountain gets its name from its bell-like shape when viewed from certain angles. Local folklore also mentions that Native Americans used the mountain as a signaling point, but historical evidence for this is limited.
Tips for Visitors
- The road up is narrow and curvy but paved and accessible to most vehicles (just like most mountain roads); at the end of the drive there is a very steep hill — if you don't want to drive up then you can park at the bottom and walk up the hill (~5-minute walk)
- Bring a camera with a panoramic feature to capture the full 360-degree view
- There are no facilities at the top
- Be respectful of the space - there is a lot of grafiti at the top, don't litter
- Check weather forecasts and clear sky charts, you wont see much if it is foggy
- At the top there are two places you can climb to reach the top: either the stairs to get to an overlook deck or a pile of granite rocks with a pretty cool view
- If you go at sunset be careful on the drive down as it will be dark