The Benton MacKaye Trail Association calls its 260-foot swinging bridge over the Toccoa River one of the most visited sites on the trail, and one of the longest suspension footbridges in the East. It crosses a wide, clear stretch of river deep in the Chattahoochee National Forest. The bridge was first built for a relocated section of the Appalachian Trail and became part of the BMT in the early 1980s. You can reach it on a short walk or make a real hike of it.
The short way: Forest Service Road 816
Most visitors drive. From GA-60 between Suches and Morganton, turn onto Forest Service Road 816 and follow the gravel road to the parking area near the river. The Fannin County Chamber describes about three miles of gravel. From the lot, a short trail leads to the bridge.
- The road is unpaved and can be rough. A car can usually make it in dry weather, but take it slowly.
- Parking is limited, and summer weekends fill up.
- There are no services at the trailhead.
The long way: the Benton MacKaye Trail
The bridge sits on the Benton MacKaye Trail, a long-distance path that starts at Springer Mountain alongside the Appalachian Trail. Hikers can approach from the GA-60 side on the BMT, a hike of about 3.5 miles each way with real climbing through hardwood forest. The BMT Association’s river hikes page covers this section. Bring water and a map. From the other direction, a longer one-way shuttle hike reaches the bridge from Three Forks by way of Long Creek Falls.
At the river
The bridge moves as you walk on it, which is part of the fun. Hold kids’ hands and go one group at a time if it is crowded. Below the bridge, the river runs over rocks and small rapids. This water is part of the 14-mile Toccoa River Canoe Trail, so you may see paddlers and anglers below you.
This stretch of the Toccoa is above Lake Blue Ridge. A nearby section on Forest Service land is one of Georgia’s Delayed Harvest trout streams, catch-and-release with single-hook artificial lures from Nov. 1 to May 14, according to the Wildlife Resources Division. Our trout fishing guide explains the rules.
Planning tips
- Leave no trace. There are no trash cans at the trailhead.
- Dogs: the BMT Association lists this hike as open to dogs on a leash. See our guide to North Georgia with dogs.
- Combine it: Blue Ridge is about 30 minutes away for lunch; see our Blue Ridge town guide.
Sources and further reading
Facts in this article were checked against these sources on October 30, 2026. Hours, fees and seasons change, so confirm before you go.
