Popular with day-hikers, Benton MacKaye Trail thru-hikers, and Toccoa River paddlers, the Swinging Bridge makes for a unique outdoor adventure in Blue Ridge. At 270 feet, the bridge is the longest swinging bridge east of the Mississippi River. A joint project of the USDA Forest Service and the Appalachian Trail Club, the bridge was erected in 1977. The Swinging Bridge crosses the Toccoa River and is located on the Benton MacKaye Trail and the Duncan Ridge National Recreation Trail in Fannin County.
If you are driving to the bridge, the ride will take you through the enchanted Wilscot Valley, past the historic and still operational Skeenah Mill, with glimpses of the river as you travel. Once you reach the parking area there are trails on each side of the river providing a short, but lovely, walk to the bridge. On the south and north approaches to the Swinging Bridge the vertical blue blaze of the Duncan Ridge Trail and the white blaze of the Benton MacKaye are present.
No one knows Blue Ridge and its many, many natural attractions like Nathan Fitts. Looking to buy in the area? Give Nathan, the top Re/Max agent in Georgia, a call.
DIRECTIONS
From the intersection of Hwy 515 and Hwy 5 (McDonalds) in Blue Ridge, follow Hwy 515 East approximately 4 miles to the traffic light at Hwy 60. Turn right and go to the stop sign; then turn left on Hwy 60. Go 1.5 miles into Morganton, then turn right on Hwy 60 South toward Dahlonega for 11.3 miles passing Skeenah Mill. Another .7 miles on the right is FS 816, turn right there and follow ROUGH gravel road about 3 miles to the parking area. Short hike down to the Toccoa River & Swinging Bridge.