We Did the Research, This Is Officially the Most Bizarre Hiking Trail Name in Georgia

My friends love to tell me that I turn into a toddler when I’m traveling. I don’t know what switches in my brain, but I always end up consumed with endless questions of why, why, why. Why did [the founder of whatever town I’m in] choose to settle here? Why are these streets named for [whoever]? Why? Why? Why? 

I often find myself asking these questions when I’m hiking. Finding out the history of how we name our lakes, mountains, and hiking trails makes me feel more connected to them. Of course, not all hiking trails have a fascinating story to tell. You can figure out many of them just by their name, but others, like the Bear Hair Trail in Georgia, will have you question the origin story. 

Sitting pretty in the heart of the Chattahoochee National Forest, Vogel State Park is one of Georgia’s oldest parks. The 22-acre lake attracts plenty of locals during the summer months, hoping to fish, swim, and paddle around Lake Trahlyta. That mountain-view beach certainly rivals any Gulf Coast beach. 

The park sits at the base of Blood Mountain, the highest summit on Georgia’s Appalachian Trail. With 34 cottages and 100+ campsites, it’s an idyllic landscape to spend a weekend. 

One of Vogel State Park’s most popular hiking trails is the 4.1-mile Bear Hair Gap Trail. Its bizarre name conjures up images of a trail laden with nothing but bear hairs, but alas, that is not the case. 

Let’s be clear: there are bears in the area, and proper bear safety should be followed. I’m not mentioning that to scare you, you’re most likely going to have a bear-free day, but it’s always better to be safe than sorry. 

The trail begins at the Backcountry Trailhead and is well-marked by green blazes. It’s a very scenic loop trail that travels up and over the lower ridges of Blood Mountain. It’s a fairly easy trail, with a few stream crossings and a little overlook along the way.

Overall, it’s a nice walk through the woods with a few small waterfalls and a nice overlook to view the lake down below. Admittedly, the overlook is more of a “peephole” since the trees surrounding it can block a good bit of the view. 

Depending on the time of year you visit, the many wildflowers that grow along the trail may illuminate your path. The wildflowers are protected, so please don’t pluck them!

So why is the trail named Bear Hair Trail? Well, no one knows for sure. Our best guess is that either the carcass of a bear was found long ago (graphic, I know), or maybe the fallen pine tree needles resembled a bear’s fur against the dark soil on the trail.  

We may never know the real reason behind this trail’s name, but regardless, it’s one of the most scenic hiking trails in Georgia. Share this article with someone you want to hike this trail in Georgia with! For more information, visit the official website for Vogel State Park. 

For more hiking inspiration, read our list of the best hiking trails in Georgia.