In autumn, I take rides to see fall colors flame upon the hills and mountains. I like to ride on the old US 441 from Clarkesville that goes by the old hotel where you can turn up Bear Gap Road that winds up and over a gap and down into Rabun County by way of the lakes. If you take this gravel road be sure to leave yourself plenty of time. Past the lakes, the route leads through Persimmon Community and on over Blue Ridge Gap into Little Tennessee Valley, north of Clayton.
The colors can become almost overwhelming among these Blue Ridge valleys.
A colorful ride
To see the colors, I often drive up Old 441 on the two-lane road from Clarkesville to where it phases into US 441 at Tallulah Falls. Above there I get back on the Old 441 and continue on through Tiger to Clayton.
It is a crooked road but if you’re seeking scenic views and a slower pace, it is enjoyable.
In Clayton, you can turn west past the Court House and drive about a mile then turn right up Germany Mountain Road which winds upward for about five miles to enter Germany Valley. Turn left at the bridge and you’ll wind down a road into Persimmon Community.
At the same bridge in Germany Valley, you can cross and turn right to go through lovely Germany Valley where I grew up. In this valley, at a little white church, a dirt road turns left and goes a winding way across the Continental Divide into the Little Tennessee River Valley.
It can be a slick and risky road in bad weather.
In Germany Valley you can drive on up the valley by the church and go over a passable road to reach Black Rock or go on over the divide into the Mountain City and Dillard areas.
In the high valleys like Germany Valley, winters come earlier than in Clayton and can be more severe. Because of the altitude, autumn colors can be astounding!
In my 18 years living in the valley I never grew tired of the fall season colors.
