Georgia State Route 180

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State Route 180

Length:

26 mi [1] (42 km)

East end:

halfway between Hiawassee and Helen

Major
junctions:

U.S. 19/U.S. 129 in Choestoe

West end:

in Suches

Georgia State Routes
< SR 179		SR 181 >

State Route 180 runs for about 26 miles from S.R. 60 in Suches to S.R. 17/75 halfway between Hiawassee and Helen in Union County. S.R. 180 traverses some of the most difficult terrain in Georgia, traveling the gaps of the highest mountains in the state. The route has two sections known as Bald Mountain Road and Wolfpen Gap Road, which are joined by a 2.3 mile overlap with U.S. 19/129 in the north of Vogel State Park. Much of the highway is in the Chattahoochee National Forest.

Bald Mountain Road, named for the state's highest peak (Brasstown Bald), is the eastern section of the highway and has been designated a National Scenic Byway and a Georgia Scenic Byway. Included in this section is a junction with the Richard B. Russell Scenic Highway and part of S.R. 180 is included in the Russell-Brasstown Scenic Byway. Bald Mountain Road crosses the Nottely River shortly before the overlap with U.S. 19/129.

Wolfpen Gap Road (11.8-mile western section of the highway) is known to be the curviest road in the state. Sites along this section include various hiking trails and scenery as well as Vogel State Park, access to Sosebee Cove, an intersection with the Coosa Back Country Trail, Lake Winfield Scott (Georgia's highest lake) and Suches, “The Valley Above The Clouds.” The highpoint of the highway is 3,260 feet at Wolfpen Gap.