Best Hiking Trails in Georgia
Georgia is a hiker’s paradise, offering a diverse range of trails that showcase the state’s natural beauty, from towering mountain peaks to cascading waterfalls and lush forests. Whether you’re a seasoned adventurer or a beginner seeking a scenic day hike, Georgia has something for everyone. In this post, we’ll explore some of the best hiking trails in Georgia, highlighting both popular favorites and hidden gems that offer stunning views, unique landscapes, and a true escape into nature.
Appalachian Trail – Springer Mountain to Hawk Mountain
- Location: North Georgia
- Length: 8.1 miles
- Difficulty: Moderate
Starting from Springer Mountain, the southern terminus of the iconic Appalachian Trail, this hike offers stunning vistas of North Georgia’s mountains. The 8.1-mile stretch to Hawk Mountain is moderate and well-shaded, providing scenic views, dense forests, and mountain streams along the way.
This section is ideal for those looking to experience part of the famous trail without committing to a lengthy thru-hike. The trail’s mix of ridgeline and forest paths makes it a perfect introduction to the Appalachian Trail, offering hikers a serene connection to nature.
Tallulah Gorge State Park – North and South Rim Trails
- Location: Tallulah Falls
- Length: 2.5 miles
- Difficulty: Moderate
Tallulah Gorge State Park boasts one of the most dramatic landscapes in Georgia. The North and South Rim Trails offer hikers a 2.5-mile loop along the edge of a 1,000-foot-deep gorge.
Both sides provide different perspectives of the gorge and waterfalls, including stunning views of Hurricane Falls and the suspension bridge that swings 80 feet above the river. The trails are moderately challenging with stairways and steep sections, but the views of the powerful waterfalls, rugged cliffs, and lush forest make this hike a must-visit for nature lovers.
Cloudland Canyon State Park – West Rim Loop Trail
- Location: Rising Fawn
- Length: 5 miles
- Difficulty: Moderate
Cloudland Canyon’s West Rim Loop Trail offers breathtaking views of one of Georgia’s largest and most scenic canyons. This 5-mile moderate trail loops around the canyon’s rim, providing panoramic vistas, cascading waterfalls, and opportunities to explore the park’s unique geology.
The trail winds through dense forest, rocky outcrops, and open clearings, offering incredible sights of towering cliffs and the canyon floor below. Ideal for day hikers, the West Rim Loop is praised for its accessibility and beautiful scenery, making it one of the top-rated hikes in the state.
Amicalola Falls State Park – Amicalola Falls Trail
- Location: Dawsonville
- Length: 2 miles
- Difficulty: Moderate
Amicalola Falls Trail leads to Georgia’s tallest waterfall, a stunning 729-foot cascade. This 2-mile moderate trail in Dawsonville offers a short yet rewarding hike with various observation points to view the falls. The trail is steep in sections, with steps leading up alongside the waterfall, allowing for close-up views of the water rushing down the mountainside. Amicalola Falls State Park is also the gateway to the Appalachian Trail, and the hike provides a perfect introduction to North Georgia’s natural beauty.
Blood Mountain – Byron Reece and Appalachian Trail Loop
- Location: Blairsville
- Length: 4.3 miles
- Difficulty: Difficult
One of Georgia’s most popular hiking destinations, Blood Mountain offers a challenging but rewarding 4.3-mile loop combining the Byron Reece and Appalachian Trail. Starting at Neels Gap, the steep ascent takes hikers through rugged terrain, dense forest, and rocky paths, leading to the summit of Blood Mountain.
At 4,458 feet, it is the highest point on the Appalachian Trail in Georgia. The panoramic views from the top are stunning, making this hike a favorite among avid hikers and nature photographers.
Raven Cliff Falls Trail
- Location: Helen
- Length: 5 miles
- Difficulty: Moderate
Raven Cliff Falls Trail is a 5-mile out-and-back hike near Helen, GA, that takes you to one of the region’s most unique waterfalls. The moderate trail follows a scenic creek, winding through a forest of towering trees and rocky terrain.
The reward is a picturesque waterfall that cascades through a 40-foot split in a massive cliff, creating a stunning and peaceful spot at the end of the trail. Along the way, smaller waterfalls and pools add to the natural beauty, making this trail a popular choice for nature lovers.
Panther Creek Falls Trail
- Location: Clarkesville
- Length: 7 miles
- Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult
Panther Creek Falls Trail is a challenging 7-mile hike located near Clarkesville. The trail follows Panther Creek through a lush forest and over rocky terrain, with the highlight being the stunning multi-tiered waterfall at the end.
Hikers are rewarded with views of Panther Creek Falls, which plunges into a large pool perfect for swimming and cooling off. The hike is moderately difficult, with some steep and rugged sections, but the waterfall and surrounding wilderness make it worth the effort, offering a peaceful escape into nature.
Providence Canyon State Park – Canyon Loop Trail
- Location: Lumpkin
- Length: 3 miles
- Difficulty: Easy
Known as “Georgia’s Little Grand Canyon,” Providence Canyon’s 3-mile Canyon Loop Trail offers a unique and colorful hiking experience. The easy-to-moderate trail winds through a series of stunning, erosion-formed canyons with steep walls of vibrant red, orange, pink, and purple hues.
The hike takes you through canyon floors and overlooks, offering both intimate and expansive views of the park’s dramatic landscape. Providence Canyon is especially beautiful in the fall when wildflowers and changing leaves add to the natural splendor.
Stone Mountain Walk-Up Trail
- Location: Stone Mountain
- Length: 2 miles
- Difficulty: Moderate
Stone Mountain’s Walk-Up Trail offers a moderate 2-mile hike to the summit of Georgia’s famous granite monolith. The trail ascends gradually across the smooth rock face, providing panoramic views of the surrounding landscape, including the Atlanta skyline on clear days. Along the way, you’ll see unique rock formations, patches of wildflowers, and views of the Confederate Memorial Carving. The summit rewards hikers with breathtaking vistas of the city and mountains beyond, making it a popular and accessible trail for hikers of all ages.
Cohutta Wilderness – Jacks River Trail
- Location: North Georgia
- Length: 16.2 miles
- Difficulty: Moderate
The Jacks River Trail in the Cohutta Wilderness is a 16.2-mile adventure for experienced hikers looking for a remote wilderness experience. Known for its multiple river crossings (over 40), the trail meanders through dense forest, steep ridges, and along the scenic Jacks River.
Highlights include the 80-foot Jacks River Falls, a beautiful spot for a break or swim. The trail’s rugged and isolated nature makes it perfect for backpackers seeking solitude and a challenge, with the lush scenery offering a true escape into nature.
Vickery Creek Trail at Roswell Mill
- Location: Roswell
- Length: 4.7 miles
- Difficulty: Moderate
Vickery Creek Trail, located near the historic Roswell Mill, offers a 4.7-mile moderate hike that combines natural beauty with history. The trail follows the creek and passes the ruins of the Roswell Mill, with opportunities to explore historic structures along the way.
A picturesque waterfall and scenic views of the creek and forest make this trail a favorite for hikers and history buffs alike. With its shady paths, flowing water, and peaceful atmosphere, it’s a perfect spot for a quiet hike just outside of Atlanta.
Yonah Mountain Trail
- Location: Cleveland
- Length: 4.4 miles
- Difficulty: Difficult
The Yonah Mountain Trail in Cleveland, GA, is a steep 4.4-mile round-trip hike that offers one of the best summit views in North Georgia. The trail is challenging, with rocky sections and a significant elevation gain, but hikers are rewarded with panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and valleys from the summit.
Along the way, you’ll encounter beautiful rock faces, open meadows, and wildlife, making it a scenic and rewarding experience for those up for the challenge. Yonah Mountain is a favorite for both hikers and rock climbers alike.
Georgia’s hiking trails offer an incredible variety of landscapes, from rugged mountain summits to serene waterfalls and canyons. Whether you’re seeking adventure or a peaceful nature escape, these trails provide unforgettable experiences. Lace up your boots and explore the beauty of Georgia’s outdoors, one trail at a time.
