Amicalola Falls Hiking Trail


Dahlonega, Georgia
(View other Dahlonega area trails)

Trail length:

12 miles
Posted by: mtbgreg1 on September 30, 2008

Description

Amicalola Falls is a very popular destination for both day hikers and backpackers.

For day hikers, Amicalola offers an easy approach to the base of the falls, and it definitely doesn't take a day to get there! You can see the falls from the parking area, and it takes less than a mile to get to the base. However, if you want to hike to the top of the falls, it is a long, long staircase up to the top! Also, there are other scenic singletrack trails in the park.

For backpackers, Amicalola falls functions as about an 8 mile approach trail to the top of Springer Mountain and the official beginning of the Appalachian Trail. Early every spring there is a festival held at Amicalola, and a large group of AT through-hikers begin their journey en masse. There is also a large hike-to lodge up the side of the mountain that's still in the park.

Directions

From Dahlonega, take GA 9 to GA 52. Go about 10 miles. Park entrance is on the right. Continue through park following signs for "cabins" up the moutain. Note - this road is very steep. Go past the cabins and get on High Shoals Rd (gravel). Follow this rough road to the fork - take the right fork towards High Shoals Baptist Church. Park at the church and begin by riding down the road.

 

Guidebooks

Reviews of Amicalola Falls



Reviewed by BBurke on January 15, 2012

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We have both camped and hiked the Amicalola Falls park area. While the camping is "OK" the hiking is really a lot of fun. The trails can crowd up during holiday weekends so we go early to beat the crowds in.

We have hiked the back trail up the ridge to the falls (my favorite), as well as the smaller trails that fall on the southside of the falls. Our kids love Amicalola and ask to go often. Though the back ridge hike is much to rigorous for them to endure present time.
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Reviewed by drH on November 27, 2011

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Beautiful! Not as steep as Tallulah...
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Reviewed by Melissa Peacock on November 26, 2011

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I hiked Amicalola Falls on November 5, 2011. If it were not for the beautiful leaves changing I would have been a little disappointed the falls were not as spectacular as people hyped them to be. The colors made my trip worth it not the hike. I spent 6 hours in the park exploring all trails.
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Reviewed by mtbgreg1 on September 19, 2011

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The waterfall is beautiful! Not the most fun for a hike, though. It's all just stairs, and there are a lot of people.
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Reviewed by Virgo Fabulous on July 27, 2009

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This is a fun hike but be prepared for all of the steps leading to the falls. There is a bridge though that takes you right in front of the waterfall. If you continue up the stairs from there, you will reach the top. If you aren't into climbing anymore stairs, you can always drive to the top! (shhh our lil' secret!)
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Recommendations

Indian Seats Trail (100%)
Tallulah Gorge State Park (100%)

Trailhead Map

Outdoor Equipment

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