Currahee Mountain Training

The mountain runs that forged the 506th's elite paratroopers from 1942 to 1944.

Currahee Mountain Training refers to the rigorous physical conditioning regimen undertaken by paratroopers at Camp Toccoa, located at the base of Currahee Mountain in Stephens County, Georgia. Established during World War II from 1942 to 1944, this site served as the primary training ground for Army paratroopers. The mountain's name, derived from the Cherokee word ᏊᏩᎯ (quu-wa-hi) meaning "stand alone," became a defining motto for these troops. This era produced the legendary 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, whose members adopted the phrase: "Three miles up, three miles down." The training transformed civilians into elite airborne soldiers ready for deployment in Europe.

Lore & Background

Currahee Mountain rises abruptly about 600 vertical feet (180 m) above the local topography in the Georgia Piedmont. Its 1,735-foot (529 m) summit served as a prominent landmark visible for many miles on clear days. During World War II, this location was selected to establish Camp Toccoa, which operated from 1942 to 1946. The training regimen centered on running up and down the mountain, inspiring the specific quote: "Three miles up, three miles down." This phrase became a motto for the paratroopers stationed there. While the television miniseries Band of Brothers depicts these events involving E Company, 2-506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, the actual scenes referencing Currahee Mountain were filmed in Bourne Wood, not on the mountain itself.

Reader's Guide

Visitors can trace the history of this training via the Colonel Robert F. Sink memorial trail, which starts where former Camp Toccoa stood and leads to the 1,735-foot (529 m) summit. The trail's beginning is marked by a commemorative plaque dedicated to "Col. Bob" Sink from the Five-O-Sinks (506th Parachute Infantry Regiment Association). For those interested in running events, the Annual Currahee Challenge occurs every fall with three-mile and six-mile options. Additionally, the Camp Toccoa at Currahee organization holds a "D-Day Run" on the first Saturday of June. The mountain remains accessible for rock climbing and rappelling enthusiasts. At the summit, one radio tower houses NOAA Weather Radio station WWH24, serving parts of northeast Georgia and upstate South Carolina from NWS Greer.