Fort Mountain Stables, Chatsworth

In Chattahoochee National Forest, high in the north Georgia mountains, Fort Mountain Stables serves as the base camp for a 25-mile network of scenic trails at elevations between 1,600 feet and 2,000 feet. The Fort Mountain area has long attracted those daring enough to venture into the thin Georgia air to experience its dense hardwood forests, craggy cliffs, mesmerizing panoramic vistas, and eponymous 855-foot-long rock wall, thought to have been built by Native Americans. Visitors embarking on trail rides venture out into the lush Georgian foliage atop horses suited to their size and skill level while an expert guide points out notable attractions. Along the way, riders may encounter deer, turkey, or bears strolling through their natural habitat. Old talc mineshafts also populate the trails, blowing cool air out of their once-valuable depths in the summer and warm air in the winter, offering a source of warmth more pleasant than yeti breath.