Hiking the Appalachian Trail: Long Creek Falls in Blue Ridge, GA
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Blue Ridge, Georgia is located near the southern end of The Appalachian Trail, which officially begins at Springer Mountain in the Chattahoochee National Forest. At 2190 miles long, the iconic trek is the world’s longest hiking only trail. The popular trail stretches all the way from Springer Mountain in Georgia to Katahdin, Maine.
Many adventurous hikers over the years have attempted to complete the entire trail. Those who survived the long trek (typically taking 6 months or more) have truly accomplished an enormous feat. According to The Appalachian Trail Conservancy, 1 out of every 4 “thru hikers” complete the entire journey in a continuous pattern. The hikers that complete this enormous undertaking are known as “2000-milers.” Sounds crazy to me but hats off to them for completing such a monstrous challenge. Honestly, I don’t think they get nearly as much credit as they should.
Fortunately, you do not need to hike the entire trail to appreciate the beauty. For those of us who do not have the stamina, time, or money to be a thru-hiker, we can enjoy some shorter sections here and there. There are many beautiful sections of the trail which you can access from various regions. LongCreek Falls is a scenic and short 2 mile section of the trail which leads you to a wonderful waterfall. Because the trail is located within 14 different Eastern states, there is a good chance you may find yourself vacationing near a portion of the trail. This particular trail is located pretty close to Blue Ridge, Georgia so a great pick if you are planning a cabin getaway here.
This region is a hotspot for bears. Personally, I would be terrified if I saw a bear on a trail, especially if there weren’t a lot of other people around. This is actually one of my biggest fears hiking. I feel like I am always checking all around me for any signs of wildlife presence. Across the 2000+ mile length of the trail, opportunities for wildlife sightings are common. You could see black bears, moose, white tailed deer, other small mammals, and plenty of interesting birds. Bears are more common in the Smoky Mountain sections, while moose are more common in Upper New England.
The best short hike in the Georgia mountains
Long Creek is located within the beautiful Chattahoochee National Forest in Northern Georgia. This trail is short, approximately 2 miles round trip, however, the climb is a bit steep so you will still get in a quality workout. It is accessible via 3 different longer trails: The Appalachian Trail, The Benton McKaye, and the Duncan Ridge Trail. The Appalachian and Benton McKaye trail combine on this section of the Appalachian. Day hikers can opt to park on the road and take the quick 2 mile journey just to see the waterfall. However, if you feel like continuing on, the opportunities are endless.
Mike and I decided on this trail because the waterfall was supposed to be particularly beautiful during the late summer and early fall season. We were vacationing in nearby Blue Ridge: a perfect base for AT adventures. After a moderate 1 mile uphill walk, you will come across a magnificent 50 foot waterfall. We were impressed and the flow was pretty strong which we expected this time of the year. The greenery surrounding the falls creates a picture-perfect setting, which I imagine would be even more spectacular during the fall season. Early morning is the best time to visit as crowds will pretty much be non existent (we only saw 3-4 other hikes) and the temperatures will be beautiful (upper 50s/lower 60 during our late September visit).
The hike itself is very scenic with pretty views of the woods and steam along the way. The trail is well marked for newbies. Adequate trail markage is a must – I have been on so many trails where you basically get lost because of a lack of signage. If you visit on a weekday morning like we did, you will not see many other people on the trail. In fact, we were able to snap a few nice photos of the waterfall with no one else around. However, if you plan your visit on the weekend, expect the trail to be much more crowded. This is one of the more popular day hiking destinations for both tourists and Georgia locals.
A fantastic addition to any Blue Ridge vacation
Long Creek Falls is a great addition to your Northern Georgia vacation. The trail is easy enough for the whole family to complete and will not take up too much time, nor tire you out for the rest of your trip. It took us about 45 minutes round-trip, including stopping to take multiple pictures of the falls. However, we were rushing a bit due to time constraints, so I recommend giving yourself at least an hour to leisurely walk the trail and take as many pictures as you like.
Although there are many wonderful activities in this region, your trip isn’t complete until you block out a bit of time to explore the beautiful mountains and forests which comprise the area. And what better way to do that than a fresh, scenic, invigorating hike to a beautiful waterfall on the famous Appalachian Trail?
Location & Parking
Directions: From Blue Ridge, go south on Aska Road for 13.5 miles to the end. Then, turn right onto Newport Road and drive 4.5 miles to end. Next, turn left onto Doublehead Gap Road and continue on this road about 0.8 miles until you get to the intersection with dirt-grave. USFS Road 58 intersects sharply from right. Turn onto FS 58 and continue into the forest and drive uphill 5.3 miles to Three Forks. Noontootla Creek, a beautiful trout stream, is on the right as you make your way upward. (Directions courtesy of BlueRidgeMountains.com).
This hike can be a bit confusing to find if you are not from the area. As you travel the slow 5.3 mile journey up the gravel road in the forest, be sure to watch out for the sole brown hiking sign (pictured above). Underneath, you will see the word falls written. When you come across this sign, you are in the right spot! Because we arrived so early in the morning there were not many other cars around, so we weren’t sure if it is was the right hike. Luckily, it ended up being the right trail. Just be on the lookout for the sign and most likely several cars parked alongside the road.
A few tips to make your hike more enjoyable
*Hike early in the morning, preferably on a weekday, to enjoy the perks of fewer crowds.
*Bring with plenty of water.
*Eat something before your hike. The drive combined with hiking time will easily add up to a few hours. I wouldn’t carry any food with you as it can attract a bear. If you do, make sure it is sealed.
*Be bear aware. Although no fatal attacks have occurred in Georgia, the risk is always present. Wear bear bells, bring bear spray, and make plenty of noise on the trail. The bells will alert a possible bear of your presence so you do not suddenly surprise them. Also, bear spray can often make the difference between life and death in an attack situation. I also carry a hiking stick, both for extra balance and peace of mind. Check out more bear safety tips on The Appalachian Trail website.
*Plan extra time for the drive to the starting point. Once you enter the forest, the drive takes much longer than you would expect a 5 mile drive to last. It took us about an hour and 15 minutes from our cabin rental. I estimate about an hour from the Blue Ridge downtown area. On the bright side, the beautiful views of the creek and trees along the way make the time fly by.
*Bring with a quality camera and stand to photograph the magnificent waterfall. You will need a steady setting in order to get a great picture. It will also allow you to take group photos even if there are no other hikers present to take your picture for you.
*Don’t overdress. Despite temperatures in the upper 50s, I had to remove my sweater halfway through the hike. You will work up quite a sweat on the uphill climb. Dressing in layers is always recommended.
*Wear proper hiking shoes with good traction. I like Columbia’s multi purpose shoes.
*Let others know where you will be just in case of an emergency.
*Consider booking a cabin in the area. Mt Laurel Cabin rentals offers a number of budget friendly and luxury options. You can check out our experience staying in Appalachian Promise for more details.
