Dahlonega, GA

[leprechaun]

some great history on the town but noone talking about a visit??? a crime!
I lived in Dahlonega for about a 2 years and loved every minute. apparently there is a hostel there but i did not know it at the time and never had the opportunity to visit (i hear they do great work). Dahlonega is south of woody gap, and they have a full wal-mart and a small J&J foods (grocery) and an AYCE chinese place!!!! in the town square there are several great restaurants, i recommend the crimson moon cafe for lunch (and for coffee/tea) and piazza's for dinner. if you need an outfitter just find some of the college students and offer them some $$ to take you to Outside World wich is down hwy 400 past all the strip malls (it is on the left). if you haven't been to the Gold Rush Days or the Bear on the Square festivals GO NOW! (okay you may have to wait till the festivals happen :) great town, i love it and spend much vacation time there.

[Survivor Dave]

Yes, Dahlonega is a fine town. The hostel you refer to is The HikerHostel run by Thru-Hikers Josh and Leigh Saint. The town of Dahlonega is a bit off the beaten path from the AT, but when folks are coming in from the city to hike, Outside World is on the way. It's actually about the same distance to Mountain Crossings at Neel Gap in Blairsville for gear and hiking supplies.
If you are staying at the HikerHostel pre-hike, it's a great place to meet folks and chew the fat before the long journey. Some folks coming in will be shuttled to the hostel at Mountain Crossings which is a bit more rustic and more "Trail feel" oriented. Pirate, a Trail legend, usually runs the show down there and will make you comfortable and answer your questions. They will shuttle to Springer Mountain as well. A very cool place indeed.

But getting back on topic, Dahlonega is great. The Smith House Restaurant is a must see for AYCE. You sit at long tables and meet folks from all over the World. I kinda like Carusos' Italian Restaurant as well.

SD

[Awol]

I've gorged at the Smith House, and also at the Mexican place. I forget the name. The town square is very cool - the general store and the glass maker - I walk that loop every time I pass through. We've not focused on covering Dahlonega in the book, because the majority of hikers start from the Falls Lodge or Len Foote or just ride out to Big Stamp and hit the trail running.

Please ask if Outdoor World will carry App Pages (if they don't already).

[leprechaun]

carusos is a great place for pizza and karaoke (spelling?? lol) a lot of army rangers that get leave during their training in the mountains spend their back pay in Dahlonega in the bars as well as cadets in military college training, great crowd to hang out with, almost as friendly as hikers

[Survivor Dave]

It's actually called The Outside World- I thought it was Outdoor World---See, I don't know everything!

471 Quill Drive
Dawsonville, Ga. 30534
706-265-4500
info@theoutsideworld.com