If you’re like us, sometimes you just want to get outside and explore nature. What better way to explore than to go on a hike?
We try to hike a few new locations every year, sometimes in our home state, sometimes not. But up in the mountains of North Georgia, you can find many a place to hike. From waterfalls to massive rock formations to breathtaking views, you can find a hike that best suits you.
So we thought why not share some of our favorite places to hike with those who may be planning a trip to Georgia. And first up on the list is Raven Cliff Falls in Helen, GA.
Pending bad weather, you can visit RCF at any time of year. We visited in February of 2018. (One important thing to note about Georgia weather is that it is unpredictable. Sometimes it snows and freezes in February, sometimes it’s 70 degrees. Check and double check the forecast before you visit. And then prepare for it to completely change.)
There are also campsites for those looking to spend the night. They are free and first-come, first-serve. But make sure to look out for black bears!
The hike itself isn’t too difficult, though we would probably rate it as moderate. It is around 5 miles round trip to the falls and back. You can hike further up, but it is not recommended. Also not recommended: lying in a hammock above the falls. Though we saw a couple doing this, it seems like a really bad idea and something that could easily go very wrong.
For pet lovers out there, you can bring your dogs on this hike. We saw many on our hike.
Though it is not necessarily recommended, you can bring lunch and have a picnic near the falls. We say not recommended because, depending on where you set up shop, you might be in the way of other hikers. If you do decide to picnic, make sure to pick a spot away from the base of the falls, especially on busy days. We took a few snacks with us, as we do on most every hike, and sat for a few minutes enjoying the falls.
On a similar note, make sure to always be respectful of other hikers when taking photos. If there are many other people around, don’t spend too much time standing right in front of the most photographic areas. Other people want photos too!
One thing to note about Raven Cliff Falls is the parking lot is quite small and there’s not a lot of room for parking alongside the road. And, in fact, you probably do not want to park too close to the road because of the many curves. You’d hate for a large vehicle to come around the curve and sideswipe your car. When we went, we had to drive a bit down the road and park in a small (unused) driveway.
Overall, this is a great hike, especially if you like waterfalls. It is one of the most popular hikes in North Georgia, so be prepared for crowds (even in February). And if you visit in summer, we recommend you go early in the day as it can get very hot and humid.
Happy hiking!
Our McTravels 