| Trail Length: 4.1 miles | Type of trail: Point to Point |
| County: Stephens County, GA | Our rating: Moderate |
| Features: waterfalls, river, family | Your rating: |
| Usage: Light | Added on: July 07, 1997 |
| Last hiked: November 17, 2010 | Updated on: December 16, 2010 |
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Additional Trails Hiking trails in Stephens County, GA Directions |
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This point-to-point hike requires a 2.2 miles return hike along Sellers Road and Guard Camp Road to return to the starting point, or a 4.1 mile return hike on the trail. You may also spot a car at the Sellers Road trailhead.
The Broad River runs through the heart of early Georgia history and was used for navigation further south, inland from the Savannah River. The area of the Broad River Trail, was one of the first areas in the state inhabited by the Cherokee Indians. The land the trail traverses was "traded" to Georgia in 1783, after the Cherokee and their allies, the British, were defeated in the American Revolution.
Within the Lake Russell Wildlife Management Area, the Broad River Trail is part of one of the richest archeological area in the state. More than 200 historic and prehistoric homesites have been identified in the six towns that once made up this area:Mountain Grove, Ayersville, Currahee, Leatherwood, Nancytown, and New Switzerland.
Overall the Broad River Trail drops about 200 feet. It is easier to walk the trail from the north end. This footpath begins by paralleling Dick's Creek, a mountain stream, to its confluence with the middle fork of the Broad River at Browns Bottom. Along this stretch of the trail there are numerous cascades and one falls, about a half mile from the start of the trail.
After the trail turns to follow the Broad River it begins to wind in and out of nearby coves. At times the trail narrows and is high on steep drops. In many places the river can only be heard, but at times the path approaches and runs alongside the waterway. At one point, as the trail approaches Farmer Bottoms(the southern end), the footpath is forced into the stream by a rock ledge. Stone stepping through the water is required. If the water is high a path up through a laurel thicket is available.
The path is a good hike throughout the year, however, the approach roads are closed from time to time during the winter. A large variety of native wildflowers make this an exceptional spring hike.
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