Georgia brings to mind Spanish moss and the languid ease of Savannah, the urban hustle of Atlanta or red dirt roads bisecting the pastoral farmland in between. Tucked away in the northern corner of the state near the borders of both North and South Carolina, Georgia had a surprise for me. This is where the Appalachian Trail begins; home to mountains and lakes, pine trees and waterfalls, and small towns made of equal parts charm and grit. It is here where I found Tallulah Falls.
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Truth be told Tallulah Falls only recently came onto my travel radar. While planning a family spring break trip I came across a video on Facebook, water cascading down red cliffs forming emerald pools, the sides of the gorge flanked by evergreen pines; surely this had to be in Oregon or Washington. Imagine my surprise when I found out this was in Georgia, a state I associate more with red dirt roads, rolling farmland and coastal marshes than with mountains. It also happened to be an easy driving distance for us and our family in Florida and instantly became the first leg of our Georgia spring break trip.
Tallulah Falls can be found in Tallulah Gorge State Park, less than a 2 hour drive from Atlanta, Charlotte and Asheville and close to the charming town of Blue Ridge, GA. The falls are actually a series of six waterfalls that, as part of the Tallulah River, have carved out the spectacular Tallulah Gorge, a dramatic red stone and quartz canyon that is over 1,000 feet deep and 2 miles long. One of several places to bill itself as “the Grand Canyon of the East”, Tallulah Gorge State Park has over 34 miles of hiking trails and is also popular with rock climbers, mountain bikers and whitewater kayakers. Start your Tallulah Gorge hike at the Jane Hurt Yarn Interpretive Center, where you can get trail maps, permits for Gorge Floor Trail and High Bluff Trail, and learn about the people and animals that call Tallulah Falls home.
The most famous trail at Tallulah Gorge State Park is the Hurricane Falls Loop Trail, a steep 2 mile long trail that involves over 1,062 steps.
Eat your Wheaties for this one kids.
During this hike there are several overlooks to view the falls as well as a suspension bridge that crosses the gorge 80 feet over the rocky floor.
Your reward for making it all the way to the bottom? A viewing platform that offers a breathtaking view of Hurricane Falls. This is also where those with permits can access the Gorge Floor Trail and Sliding Rock, a natural water slide that is very popular in the summer. After taking in the views from the observation deck, there is only one way to go.
Up…..and up…… and up some more.
If Tallulah Falls looks a bit familiar to you this area served as a filming location for the movie Deliverance. Quite a few locals served as extras in the movie and weren’t too happy with how they were portrayed, but the movie did a great job highlighting the natural beauty of this area.
Another popular (and much easier) trail is the North Rim Trail. A mix of mulch trails, dirt trails and stairs, the North Rim Trail offers sweeping views of the gorge and the north Georgia Mountains.
Avid birders are drawn to Tallulah Gorge State Park in hopes of catching a glimpse of a peregrine falcon while rock climbers traverse the steep 1,000 foot cliffs. In 1970, Karl Wallenda (of the famed Wallenda family) completed a tightrope walk across Tallulah Gorge and part of his towere can still be seen today.
Tallulah Gorge State Park Information
Parking at Tallulah Gorge State Park is $5 per vehicle and annual passes are available. Check the Tallulah Gorge State Park website for the latest information including trail and water conditions as well as camping reservations.
Where to Stay Near Tallulah Falls
For luxury with a side of country hospitality check out the Glen-Ella Springs Inn.
Enjoy the stunning mountain views and nightly wine hour at the Beechwood Inn.
Find your perfect vacation home in the mountains of north Georgia.
Jim Simmons says
Would love to tour sights like this with you some day. Views are breathtaking, and being in your company is one of my fondest dreams…Love Dad
Cynthia Mackintosh says
I honestly never knew the beauty of Georgia. We will be visiting there for the first time in about one month. Also, I know someone that did the Appalachian Trail and they came back very thin! Your photos and video are beautiful. I’d love to know what software/app you made that video with the music and editing! #WeekendWanderlust
Stephanie says
Both hikes look amazing! Hurricane Falls Loop Trail seems to have it all, steps, falls, bridge, and views. That checks all the boxes for things I’m looking for on my hikes. And the North Rim Trail looks great too! Two of my favourite trail highlights – birdlife and epic views! I’ll have to remember this for when I get back to Georgia!
Jenna says
I’m so ready for some good hiking now that our late blast of winter weather is (maybe?) on its way out. This looks like an amazing way to spend a day outdoors. Love all those steps up!
Lauren says
I’m always in search of new waterfalls! I really need to explore more of this area, it looks so beautiful! I’ll have to add it to my list. Your video is also AWESOME – such an amazing video and I’d never know it was your first attempt at something like this! 🙂
Christina | Christina's Cucina says
How cool to go to where Deliverance was filmed! Such a beautiful area, and great workout included with those amazing views! I was just at one of the rivers where LOTR was filmed in New Zealand. It would be so much fun to hit rivers that are used in movies as a travel theme!
Fiona Maclean says
I love those waterfalls and the stunning walks through the area. I’m also curious why the locals didn’t like how they were portrayed in Deliverance – I haven’t seen the film. Do share!
Obligatory Traveler says
What a beautiful spot. Loved the video. Not sure I’d be able to handle all of those steps with my pulmonary hypertension so it was nice living vicariously through your trip. Thanks for sharing. #WeekendWanderlust
melody pittman says
Nice job on the video! Congrats! Tallulah Falls is beautiful. This is my first time hearing about it. I’m gonna have to see if Howard has done the falls (he loves them!) and if not, maybe he and I could road trip up there to do them. Or at least get a pic of the strenuous trail marker. LOL
Indrani says
Tallulah Falls looks so beautiful, very scenic location. It is understandable why the place is ideal for photo shoots and movies. The video is so well made.
Micki says
Gorgeous! Tallulah Gorge State Park sounds perfect; we like to hike, bike, and kayak. I think I need to plan a roadtrip!
Kate says
Whoa! The Hurricane Falls Loop trail looks intense, especially with the ominous sign. But the falls definitely look like they make it worth your while. Overall, Tallulah Gorge State Park looks simply gorgeous! What a beautiful place to immerse yourself in nature.
Medha Verma says
The falls are lovely! When I first read Georgia, I assumed it was the country, not the US state 🙂 The 2-mile Hurricane Falls Loop Trail sounds pretty cool except the steps; I am all for hikes but I really dislike going up any kind of steps! The views are definitely worth it though and the bridge is amazing.
Suruchi says
Tallulah falls look so gorgeous and photogenic too. It is a perfect place to be in the lap of nature. Hurricane falls loop trail looks exciting too. Hopefully we will be able to climb those steps. Loved your pictures
Holly says
$5 per vehicle isn’t bad at all. Didn’t even know this existed. I definitely would love to check this out. Wouldn’t be doing any rock climbing though.
Carol the Traveler says
Great article, those Tallulah Falls looks really amazing 🙂
Vicky and Buddy says
Wow Brianna, these waterfalls looks so gorgeous! I lived in Georgia for a year a long time ago and wish I’d gotten the chance to explore it a lot more. I love the tip about eating your Wheaties lol!!
Rob+Ann @TravelLatte(.net) says
Love the video! This looks awesome. We’re in Georgia at least once a year, and we’ve even hiked parts of the Appalachian Trail, but we have never made it to Tallulah Gorge. Now we know what we’ve been missing! Holy cow, that’s beautiful country. We’re still out of shape from a laaaaazy winter, but once we get our hiking legs back, this is totally on the radar. Thanks for sharing!