Two weeks ago we drove to Rabun County, Georgia to hike the trails at Tallulah Gorge State Park to see some of the six waterfalls. It’s an easy drive from Atlanta and beautiful once you get up towards the park. Here’s a description of the park from Atlanta Trails.
Tallulah Gorge State Park is one of Georgia’s most stunning and popular hiking destinations, and indisputably one of the most scenic of Georgia’s State Parks. The turbulent flow of the Tallulah River carved this enormous, steep-walled gash in North Georgia’s Rabun County. The gorge stretches an astonishing two miles long and dives 1000 feet deep. Deep inside Tallulah Gorge, the river cascades over enormous rock outcrops, creating Tallulah Falls, a stunning set of six waterfalls.
Visitors can hike rim trails to several overlooks, or they can obtain a permit to hike to the gorge floor. We only did the Hurricane Falls Bridge Loop today. We started out by standing on the overlook for L’Eau d’Or and top of the Tempesta falls with Hawthorne Pool and Cascades. Then, we climbed down 310 stairs to the suspension bridge with its spectacular view. It stretches 200 ft across the gorge and hangs 80 ft above the rushing river below.
Climbed another 221 steps down to the Hurricane Falls overlook and the continuation of the trail into the gorge’s floor. You need a permit – which is free, first come first served – to climb down to the actual floor of the gorge and continue the full hike across. We didn’t have one and did not want one on this trip. Long way back up (remember you have that return hike). 1,062 STAIR STEPS round trip in the pouring rain. It was a light rain when we started and a monsoon by the end. But, we made it!
We want to return when it’s not a MONSOON and try out the white sandy beach area. It’s located on Tallulah Lake across the highway from the park. We’ll bring our swim suits and enjoy some “beach” time. For more activities, especially for families, check out this post from 365 Atlanta Traveler on 21 Things Every Family Should Do at Tallulah Gorge State Park.
