Trail Recommendations
Looking for the next great hike to check off your list? We’ve compiled a few of our favorites and categorized them by the main attraction to make it easy for you to find a new trail to explore. These are our top recommendations for folks visiting the area and looking to dig in, but they barely scratch the surface of what North Georgia has to offer. If you need further recommendations or options for a specific area, check out our blog for Weekend Guides, or shoot us a message on Facebook or Instagram and we’ll do our best to help you out!
Waterfall Hikes
Tallulah Gorge State Park | Easy - Strenuous | 0-5 Miles
This incredible State Park is a jack of all trades, with waterfalls, mountain vistas, and trails of varying difficulty. Tallulah Gorge is one of our top recommendations for folks looking to experience what North Georgia is all about. Hike the Rim Loop Trail to take in expansive views of the gorge and the mountains beyond, or challenge yourself with just over 1000 stairs as you make your way down to the gorge floor to see Hurricane Falls in all of its thundering glory.
Anna Ruby Falls | Easy | 0.9 Miles
Anna Ruby Falls is a fantastic option for folks looking for a paved trail that is stroller-friendly and easy for the whole family to tag along. The path all the way up to the falls is paved, but there are a couple of steep sections, so be ready for a little bit of a workout if you’re bringing the stroller! You’ll follow the creek the entire way, with several smaller cascades along the way to the main falls. We also love the “Lion’s Eye Trail” situated next to the visitor’s center, which is designed for those with visual impairments. Read more about Anna Ruby in our journal post here.
Dukes Creek Falls | Moderate | 2 Miles
Dukes Creek Falls is a great trail for the whole family to enjoy. The trail is a pretty standard 1-mile down to the falls and 1-mile back up, but the climb is leveled out with switchbacks and never gets very steep. The payoff at the falls is well worth it with two rushing creeks converging in dramatic fashion. Davis Creek drops down a steep cliffside in front of the viewing platform, while Dukes Creek flows over tumbling rocks from the right before joining together and continuing down the valley.
Hemlock Falls | Easy | 2 Miles
Hemlock Falls is one of those spots that we have to revisit from time to time because of how much we love it. The hike itself is very relaxed; you’re technically climbing in elevation most of the way to the falls, but it is a very gentle slope and hardly noticeable at times. Additionally, the trail winds alongside Mocassin Creek nearly the entire time, meaning you have the constant trickle of the creek as you make your way to the falls. The Falls are also very serene, not the most dramatic or the largest falls around, but a very picturesque drop into an emerald green pool.
Overlook Hikes
Tennessee Rock Trail | Moderate | 2.2Miles
Black Rock Mountain State Park has always felt like a home away from home to us. We find a sort of peace there that we don’t get in many other places. One of the things we love so much is the variety of trails that span the park. The Tennessee Rock Trail is one of the more popular trails here, but for good reason. This stunning trail winds its way across the higher elevation peaks, through dense wildflower patches, massive rock gardens, and some jaw-dropping overlooks.
Tallulah Gorge State Park | Easy - Strenuous | 0-5 Miles
This incredible State Park is a jack of all trades, with waterfalls, mountain vistas, and trails of varying difficulty. Tallulah Gorge is one of our top recommendations for folks looking to experience what North Georgia is all about. Hike the Rim Loop Trail to take in expansive views of the gorge and the mountains beyond, or challenge yourself with just over 1000 stairs as you make your way down to the gorge floor to see Hurricane Falls in all of its thundering glory.
Brasstown Bald | Easy - Moderate | 0-1 Miles
Brasstown Bald is one of those places that we feel everyone ought to visit once in their life. Situated atop the highest point in the state, the Brasstown Bald observation deck provides true 360-degree views spanning across four different states. If you’re looking for long-range views of the horizon, no other place in Georgia can truly match it. The observation deck is accessed via a steep but paved 1-mile trail. Don’t underestimate it based on the short distance; this one gets us huffing every time. Alternatively, there is a shuttle service offered during normal park hours for those looking to soak in the views without breaking a sweat. Read our Journal entry about it here.
Mount Yonah | Strenuous | 4.4 Miles
Mount Yonah is one of Georgia’s most iconic hikes and is often regarded as one of Georgia’s most difficult. While we don’t know that it is the single most difficult, it is certainly one of the more challenging among Georgia’s mainstream hikes. We definitely feel that the views at the top are worth the effort, though. This strenuous 4.4-mile hike will take you up the rocky mountainside, with steep loose sections, a couple of rock garden scrambles, and plenty of sweating along the way. Once you make it to the top, you’re greeted with expansive views of the surrounding Appalachian hills in all of their glory.
