Waterfall lovers know they don’t have any scarcity of hikes to select from in north Georgia, particularly with fan favorites like Amicalola Falls, Tallulah Gorge Falls and Anna Ruby Falls. However for metro-Atlanta hikers preferring to maintain treks nearer to house, there are some extremely underrated waterfalls which can be lower than the two-plus-hour drive {that a} north Georgia waterfall jaunt would sometimes take. A few of the hottest waterfalls are man-made, reminiscent of the metro space’s mill operations within the 1800s. Even for the purists preferring pure waterfalls, there are sufficient choices for a number of weekend adventures. Don’t overlook to pack your swim gear and water footwear, since you gained’t wish to miss these waterfall hikes close to Atlanta.
Additionally, try native climbing occasions with REI for extra alternatives to get exterior and join with different hikers.
Cochran Mill Park, situated about 20 minutes southwest of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta Worldwide Airport, will give metro-Atlanta waterfall lovers the most important bang for his or her buck. “Buck” is literal right here as a result of a parking go is required for automobiles within the park’s lot for many who usually are not Chattahoochee Hills residents, however with three waterfalls on three completely different trails, this metropolis park is a must-see.
Orange Path
- Location: Chattahoochee Hills
- Size: 2.3-mile loop
- Problem Score: Average
- Finest For: Multiuse recreation
- Canines: Leashed
The Orange Path wastes no time in giving hikers what they’re searching for. The waterfall is a brief stroll down a gravel highway throughout the road from the Cochran Mill Park car parking zone. As soon as hikers spot the picket bridge a couple of quarter of a mile in, the waterfall is simply across the nook. The gorgeous stairstep waterfall can also be the positioning of the Owen Cochran Mill ruins. It’s a naturally lovely spot for novice {and professional} photographers alike. Those that need a straightforward hike can flip round on the gravel path after visiting the waterfall. Hikers after a average trek can hold happening the Orange Path for a 2.3-mile loop. The multiuse trails inside Cochran Mill Park are good for out of doors fanatics who like quite a lot of actions, together with horseback using and mountain biking along with climbing, so put together to share the path.
Inexperienced Path
- Location: Chattahoochee Hills
- Size: 1.3-mile loop
- Problem Score: Average
- Finest For: Admiring the mill ruins
- Canines: Leashed
When one waterfall doesn’t really feel like sufficient, Cochran Mill Park guests can mix the Orange Path with the overlapping Inexperienced Path to test off waterfall quantity two. Hikers should begin on the Orange Path with a view to get to the Inexperienced Path. From the car parking zone, cross the road to the east facet of the park to move down the Orange Path’s gravel lot. Move the picket bridge and waterfall and switch left to remain on the Orange Path. Catch the Inexperienced Path on the intersection with Bear Creek—the Orange Path stays on the southern financial institution of the creek, however the Inexperienced Path crosses to the northern facet. Alongside the creek, hikers will discover granite outcroppings that information the way in which to the Berry Cochran Mill ruins and cascading waterfall. The ruins right here, lower than a mile from (Berry’s brother) Owen Cochran Mill ruins, are what’s left of a grist mill in-built 1870. Stick with the Inexperienced Path’s lollipop loop by means of a blended hardwood forest to achieve the Bear Creek Nature Heart.
Yellow Path
- Location: Chattahoochee Hills
- Size: 8-mile loop
- Problem Score: Average
- Finest For: Watersliding
- Canines: Leashed
As if Cochran Mill Park hadn’t already given hikers sufficient waterfalls to chase, there’s a 3rd and last waterfall contained in the park’s borders. Hikers preferring to trek farther into the forest earlier than attending to the path’s pinnacle will benefit from the Henry Mill Falls discovered alongside the Yellow Path in Cochran Mill Park. Because it’s farther contained in the park, the waterfall is extra secluded than the Cochran brothers’ mill ruins and falls. The Yellow Path begins within the Cochran Mill Park car parking zone (with out crossing the road) then traces Higher Wooten Highway earlier than going right into a forested space, ultimately tracing the route of Bear Creek. Be sure that to carry water footwear or waterproof boots for the creek crossings alongside the way in which. Henry Mill Falls is a 15-foot-tall waterfall that lightly slides down right into a shallow pool.
- Location: Roswell
- Size: 3.4-mile loop
- Problem Score: Average
- Finest For: Nationwide Park fanatics
- Canines: Leashed
There are two completely different climbing trails right here, one working on either side of Vickery Creek Waterfall. The path on the south financial institution is situated contained in the Nationwide Park Service Nationwide Recreation Space. This filth path by means of the forest follows Huge Creek (beforehand generally known as Vickery Creek) alongside its southern financial institution earlier than it connects with the Chattahoochee River. The Vickery Creek waterfall, a man-made, 28-foot-tall waterfall constructed by Roswell Mill staff in 1853, may be discovered at Vickery Creek path marker 19. There are steps resulting in the bottom of the waterfall, which is a well-liked place for photos, picnics and wading within the water. Pedestrians can stroll to the lined bridge, which connects the Nationwide Park Service Recreation Space to the Previous Mill Park, operated by the Metropolis of Roswell. On the NPS facet of the bridge, there are additionally steps that go right down to the bottom of Huge Creek away from the waterfall. A day or annual go is important to park within the NPS car parking zone.
- Location: Roswell
- Size: 2.5-mile round-trip out-and-back
- Problem Score: Straightforward
- Finest For: Historical past fanatics
- Canines: Leashed
Roswell Recreation and Parks owns and manages the 5.5-acre historic mill park on the north banks of Huge Creek, beforehand generally known as Vickery Creek. Parking on the Roswell facet of the creek not solely offers easy accessibility to the NPS-operated path by way of the lined bridge, but in addition presents its personal gravel and boardwalk path entry to the waterfall. The Roswell path is partially wheelchair accessible and a better stroll for hikers of all ages. For these fascinated about studying extra in regards to the Roswell Mills earlier than, throughout and after the Civil Battle, climbing alongside the north banks will give historical past buffs extra alternatives to cease and browse indicators that inform of the mill’s legacy. The boardwalk results in shore entry to the creek a number of toes away from the waterfall. There’s a bonus on this facet: Town makes use of the distinction system to supply complimentary floatation units. Entry to the water subsequent to Vickery Creek Waterfall is barely extra rugged on the north shore, however not as elevated because the southside entry level on Nationwide Park Service property.
- Location: Dallas
- Size: 0.3-mile round-trip out-and-back
- Problem Score: Straightforward
- Finest For: Waterfall picnics
- Canines: Leashed
Excessive Shoals Falls could be the best-kept secret amongst waterfall chasers in metro Atlanta. Possibly it’s as a result of it’s tucked away within the small city of Dallas, or perhaps it’s that the car parking zone on Excessive Shoals Highway is simple to overlook. Both means, it’s price monitoring down to go to this 300-foot-tall low-flow waterfall. From the car parking zone, the path begins as a gravel path that passes a cemetery on the best. The trail turns into a mud path—a few of which has been washed out, creating a big divot. The path picks up a parallel path with an unnamed creek, then, earlier than the hiker has had time to take the entire scene in, they’re watching Excessive Shoal Falls forward. There are a few picnic tables close to the bottom of the falls. Loads of massive rocks sturdily protruding from the shallow creek will hold younger hikers entertained. Each side of the general public path border non-public property, so heed the indicators and keep on the path to keep away from trespassing.
Hahn Woods Decrease Path
- Location: Druid Hills
- Size: 0.5-mile round-trip out-and-back
- Problem Score: Average
- Finest For: In-town nature hikes
- Canines: Leashed
The small round car parking zone for the Hahn Commemorative Forest doesn’t do justice to the favored park, which is a widely known climbing space in Druid Hills, close to the Emory College campus. Go down the steps and switch proper to take the damaged concrete sidewalk of the decrease path beneath the Houston Mill Highway bridge. Proper after the bridge, hikers will see the man-made waterfall from a former water-powered grist mill in-built 1863. It’s tough to get a transparent view of the waterfall because the view is impeded by an deserted steel bridge, now lined in shrubs and vines, which is gorgeous in its personal proper. It’s onerous to consider this space was a building landfill for Emory College from the Sixties by means of the early Nineteen Nineties, when Emory management determined to scrub up the land and switch it right into a park. Proceed the decrease path because it follows the south fork of Peachtree Creek upstream however be warned: The path will get very muddy after it rains. DeKalb County is doing sewer line repairs within the space, so elements of the path could also be closed, however the Higher Path is a stunning different because it follows the creek downstream by means of a cover of oak timber.
- Location: Jackson
- Size: 1.5-mile loop
- Problem Score: Laborious
- Finest For: Tenting
- Canines: Leashed
A cease at Excessive Falls State Park is a superb choice for many who discover themselves south of town limits of Atlanta, particularly because it’s not removed from I-75. The Towaliga River rushes by means of this state park, creating the attractive waterfall views greatest seen from the Falls View Path. The path strikes hikers by means of a woodland forest on an 8-shaped path. Towaliga Falls comes into view a couple of third of the way in which into the hike. That is the biggest waterfall south of Atlanta, but it surely isn’t used for swimming; it’s too highly effective to threat moving into the water. Many hikers flip round and retrace their steps after viewing the falls, however the path continues its double loop by means of the forest for many who desire a extra diversified path. Be careful for all of the rocks and protruding roots which were recognized to journey up hikers on this path. For these searching for an ADA-accessible path, the park’s 0.5-mile Historic Path additionally brings hikers to an overlook of the falls. Excessive Falls State Park is a well-liked spot for campers, so contemplate reserving a campsite alongside the Towaliga River or staying in a yurt close to the lake.
Toonigh Creek Falls Path
- Location: Woodstock
- Size: 4-mile round-trip out-and-back
- Problem Score: Average
- Finest For: Off-the-beaten-path climbing
- Canines: Leashed
The clear-cut path resulting in Toonigh Creek Falls is a well-liked one amongst locals despite the fact that it’s not an official path. It might probably’t be present in close by park maps or any on-line path maps, but there stays a daily stream of hikers of all ages following the Little River upstream because it results in Toonigh Creek Falls. The longest route begins at Olde Ropes Mill Park. Cross the park bridge over Little River and switch left onto the doorway of the Moore’s Move bike path (orange blazes). When the bike path makes a pointy proper, hold to the left to cross a small creek onto a broad path. Observe the trail into a brief, forested part till it connects with an previous gravel highway that follows the Little River upstream. Choose up the trail underneath the I-575 bridge, by means of a rocky kudzu-lined path, then by means of two open concrete dividers. The path follows a well-worn filth path right into a second forested part, first following the financial institution of the Little River carefully, then making a pointy proper flip uphill, resulting in the highest of Toonigh Falls.
For these searching for a barely shorter trek, park on the Cherokee County Aquatic Heart and discover the paths in the back of the car parking zone. They lead right down to the financial institution of the Little River. Flip proper to make your strategy to Toonigh Creek Falls.
Kayaking is widespread on the Little River, so hikers are prone to encounter kayakers pushing themselves down the rocky crevices of the waterfall into the bottom pool beneath.
Don’t try shortcuts by parking on the road in neighborhoods close to the waterfall; the streets have indicators warning in opposition to trespassing and unknown automobiles could also be towed.
