Cherry Log is a popular getaway for Atlanta residents
Mountain views and dense forests define the northern Georgia enclave of Cherry Log. With ample outdoor recreation and a peaceful setting within a short drive of downtown Blue Ridge, it’s a popular vacation destination for Atlanta residents looking for a wooded retreat less than two hours from the city. Nearly half of the population is 65 or older, making it a favorite among retirees. “It’s conveniently located between Blue Ridge and Ellijay,” says Audrey Whitehead, owner of Blue Ridge Realty with 30 years of experience. “There’s a restaurant and a post office and that’s pretty much it. But there are hiking trails, and the Appalachian Trail for hikers is not very far. It’s a great vacation area and it’s close to the U.S. Forest Service, so you can get some secluded areas too.”
Outdoor adventures abound in the Blue Ridge region
The Blue Ridge region is full of opportunities to get outside. “Cherry Log goes over a few mountains, and there’s a lot of hunting and fishing, a lot of rental cabins,” Whitehead says. Hikers on the Benton MacKaye Trail can reach Fall Branch Falls, a waterfall with two cascades in the Chattahoochee National Forest. Stanley Gap features a 14.5-mile loop trail with steep hills suited for hikers looking for a challenge. Hunters can bag deer, bear, turkey and wild hogs in the 20,000-acre Rich Mountain Wildlife Management Area. Blue Ridge Lake is less than 25 minutes away and offers camping, boating and swimming with mountain views. Hiking, camping and tubing on the Toccoa River await at Aska Adventure Area. Other tourist attractions dot the area, including Expedition Bigfoot, a museum dedicated to the legendary cryptid that also serves as a research and reporting center for sasquatch sightings.
Vacation homes and rentals are common in Cherry Log
Homes in Cherry Log are spread out through dense forests and rolling hills. Buyers can find some ranch-style homes and cottages, but rustic and contemporary log cabins dominate the area. Some homes sit behind gated communities, while others are accessible only by narrow mountain roads. Many homes are advertised as vacation homes or rentals, some of which are fully furnished. Cherry Log has a median price of $600,000, which is on par with the Blue Ridge median of $610,000 and slightly lower than the McCaysville median of about $630,000.
Walkable downtown Blue Ridge has shops, restaurants and boutiques
The Pink Pig is Cherry Log’s lone restaurant. The laid-back barbecue joint is known for pit-cooked meats and Brunswick stew. But locals aren’t far from ample shopping and dining in nearby Blue Ridge. “Downtown Blue Ridge is where the shopping areas and doctors and things like that are. It’s about 15 minutes to 20 minutes away, depending on which part you’re in,” Whitehead says. Fightingtown Tavern is a farm-to-table restaurant known for its rock-and-roll atmosphere, while Southern Charm serves up comfort food in a relaxed setting. Food Lion has groceries covered, but locals can pick up fresh produce at nearby apple orchards and farmers markets in Blue Ridge and Ellijay. Ellijay also has a plethora of shops and restaurants in a walkable downtown center.
Midway between Ellijay and Blue Ridge
Route 76, also known as Highway 515, connects Cherry Log to Blue Ridge and Ellijay, each about 9 miles away. Atlanta and the suburbs are about 85 miles away, or within about a 90-minute drive. Winding, narrow mountain roads can be difficult to navigate for drivers unused to the terrain, and four-wheel drive is recommended, especially during inclement weather.
Music, food and year-round events
Blue Ridge and Ellijay host events year-round, including the Blue Ridge Mountains Wine and Jazz Festival, Blue Ridge Blues and BBQ Festival, and the Georgia Apple Festival, an annual tradition that celebrates the area’s agricultural heritage as the "Apple Capital" of Georgia.
Career, technical and agricultural classes at Fannin County schools
Cherry Log has a small full-time population, but students who live here year-round may attend public schools in the Fannin County School System, which receives a B-plus from Niche. The school district has three elementary schools, one middle school and one high school, all of which are graded B by Niche. Fannin County High School offers nine career pathways through the state’s Career, Technical and Agricultural Education programs.
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Written By
Leslie Klosterman
