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8 Spectacular Waterfalls in the North Georgia Mountains

March 23, 2024
A waterfall is surrounded by trees and rocks

If you’re thinking about visiting or moving to the North Georgia Mountains, there’s no doubt that you’ve heard about the many waterfalls the area has to offer. With more than a dozen waterfalls within 30 miles of Blue Ridge and more than 100 waterfalls spanning across the mountains, there is a waterfall trail for everyone.



We’ve gathered information on eight of the most remarkable waterfalls in the area, with hikes ranging from 0.4-mile strolls to 4-mile intense treks. Read all about them below.


Amicalola Falls

  • Distance: 2.1 miles
  • Parking: $5 per car
  • Location: Dawson County


A waterfall in the middle of a lush green forest

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Coming in at 729 feet tall, Amicalola Falls is the highest waterfall in Georgia. It’s one of the Seven Natural Wonders of Georgia, so you can bet on crowds — especially on the weekends — but you can beat the rush if you hike the trail early on a weekday. There are two ways to view the falls: by hiking the 1-mile trail up a series of wooden stairs or by walking along the 0.3-mile trail to an observation deck. Along both accesses, you’ll find trucks and cars that toppled down the mountain, making this hike one you won’t soon forget.’



Anna Ruby Falls

  • Distance: 0.4 miles
  • Parking: $3 per car
  • Location: White County


A waterfall in the middle of a lush green forest

If you’re looking for a shorter hike, the trail to Anna Ruby Falls has got you covered. As you hike along the trail, you’ll cross a creek and see a glimpse of the falls before making it to the observation deck. The Anna Ruby Falls are actually two waterfalls, one 153-feet tall and the other 50-feet tall, both of which you can see from the observation deck. The view around the waterfalls isn’t bad either, with vibrant trees surrounding the entire area.



DeSoto Falls

  • Distance: 2.2 miles
  • Parking: $3 per car
  • Location: Lumpkin County


A waterfall is surrounded by trees and rocks in the middle of a forest.

With distinct upper and lower sections, the 45-foot tall DeSoto Falls pack a ton of great views in a relatively short 2-mile hike. After you begin your hike, you’ll come to a fork in the trail, with the left side leading you to the lower falls and the right side taking you to the upper falls. On both trails, you’ll be surrounded by green and shade, and you’ll hear the rushing water from the creeks everywhere you go.



Dukes Creek Falls

  • Distance: 4 miles
  • Parking: $4 per car
  • Location: White County


A waterfall is surrounded by rocks and trees in the woods.

The trail to Dukes Creek Falls is one of the most relaxing on our list, with wide paths free of tree roots and jagged rocks. Though the full walk is 4 miles roundtrip, the best view of the falls is found after a 1-mile hike to the gorge. You’ll find several smaller falls on the way and, after you cross the wooden boardwalk, you’ll see the 150-foot tall Dukes Creek Falls.



Fall Branch Falls

  • Distance: 0.5 miles
  • Parking: Free
  • Location: Gilmer County


A waterfall is surrounded by trees and rocks in the middle of a forest.

The trail to Minnehaha Falls is one of the most popular in the North Georgia Mountains. Its short distance and level trail make it a fantastic choice for families, seniors, and kids. After a 0.4-mile trek, you’ll see a 10-foot tall waterfall that’s just a preview of the 60-foot tall Minnehaha Falls just 0.2 miles beyond. If you visit in the late spring/early summer, you can catch the rhododendron in bloom.



Raven Cliff Falls

  • Distance: 4.9 miles
  • Parking: Free
  • Location: White County


A waterfall is surrounded by trees and rocks in the woods

The hike to the main waterfall will give you phenomenal views of several smaller waterfalls and rapids along the way. The trail’s flat path is one of the easier on the list, but do watch your step for large tree roots along the way. When the trail ends, you’ll be at the breathtaking Raven Cliff Falls with the option to take a steep incline up or relax by the lower falls. Visitors love the way the two towering cliffs split open for the falls, where the water blasts powerfully through an 80-foot descent before dropping into a 20-foot cascade.



Tallulah Gorge Hurricane Falls

  • Distance: 2 miles
  • Parking: $5 per car
  • Location: Rabun County


Two people are walking across a wooden bridge in the woods

If you’re up for an ambitious hike, the trails through Tallulah Falls are definitely worth the effort. The area is home to six separate waterfalls (l’Eau d’Or, Tempesta, Hurricane, Oceana, Bridal Veil, and Lovers Leap), but the Hurricane Falls offer one of the most spectacular experiences. You’ll cross a swing bridge over the Tallulah River, surrounded by the 1,000-foot walls of Tallulah Gorge. Permits are limited to 100 per day, so you’ll want to arrive early for this unforgettable adventure.


A Unique Experience in North Georgia


You could live in the North Georgia Mountains for years and still have dozens of unique waterfalls yet to see. If you’re curious to see what fantastic homes are available within driving distance of these wonders, browse our listings of North Georgia Mountain homes and land.

Appalachian Realty LLC Blog

A view of a forest with mountains in the background
March 29, 2024
Who doesn’t love a good mountain view? All the layers and colors work together to help you stay calm, take a breather, and remember just how beautiful life is. If you’re thinking about buying a new home, we want you to know just how easy it is to find one that has the perfect mountain view you’re dreaming of. In fact, you can find, learn about, and tour a house with beautiful mountain views in six simple steps: 1. Head to our MLS search tool We keep an updated collection of MLS listings in the North Georgia Mountains. In order to make it easy for you to find the exact type of home you’re looking for, we offer an advanced MLS search feature right here on our website. Your first step is to right-click on this link and select “Open Link in New Tab.” This will allow you to keep reading this post while you go through the steps. In your new tab, you’ll be directed to a form that looks like this: 2. Fill out the fields according to your new home wish list Are you looking for a home with a certain number of bedrooms or bathrooms? Or do you need a certain acreage? Whatever your wish list looks like, you can use the form to narrow down results that match your needs. Simply go through and fill out any information that’s on your wish list, whether that pertains to lot size, home size, property type, or home price. 3. Select “mountain view” as one of your must-haves Now for the most important step: Select “mountain view” on the MLS search feature. Interested in a lake or creek view, too? Go ahead and select that, too! This feature allows you to pick exactly what you want to see when you look out the windows of your new home. Looking for a shortcut? You can click this link to see all homes for sale with a mountain view. This is a great option if you’re in the initial steps of searching for a home and you haven’t quite decided what exactly you need in your new home. (It’s also a great step if you’re just curious to see what kinds of homes in the North Georgia Mountains offer mountain views!) 4. Browse the results and find a home that draws your eye Whether you filtered your search to meet your exact requirements or you simply clicked the link to see all homes with mountain views, take a look at the options and take note of any that stand out. As you find homes that you’d like to learn more about, simply right-click on “View Listing” and select “Open Link in New Tab.” If you browse through the full selection of homes for sale and keep opening homes in new tabs, you’ll finish with a collection of tabs containing mountain view homes that piqued your interest. 5. Read through the property descriptions and view pictures of the homes For each home, you’ll be able to read a description of the property, look at photos of the home, and see the MLS details (like construction materials, acreage, condition, heating/cooling, and included appliances). You can also scroll down to see where the home is located on a map. Zoom in on the area to see nearby lakes and parks, or zoom out to see how far the home is from anywhere in the world. 6. Contact us if you’d like to set up a tour As you look through all the details of each home, there will undoubtedly be some that you want to remove from your list. In the end, you’ll be left with a collection of mountain view homes that meet all your requirements. See a home (or two or three) that you want to see in person? We’ve made the process of scheduling a tour as simple as possible. Just below the photos and to the right, there’s a form titled “Contact Us About This Listing.” All you have to do is add your name, email, and a short message (for instance, you can let us know when you’d like to take a look at the home). Once you send your message, it will go straight to our team’s email inbox. From there, we’ll reach out to you at the email you provided to schedule your tour! Let us help you through all the steps of buying a home with a mountain view Our team of realtors has lived in the North Georgia Mountains for years, and their knowledge of the area is invaluable as you conduct your search for your next home. We are accredited buyers agents, meaning that we can help you through the full process of buying your next home. From looking through homes to making an offer to completing the closing paperwork, our team can come alongside you to help you find and buy the North Georgia home of your dreams. Simply follow the steps above or reach out to us on our Contact page to get started !
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The sun is shining through the clouds over the mountains.
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The North Georgia Mountains are renowned for their beautiful mountain views and endless outdoor activities. You may be wondering if winter in north Georgia means bundling up in a cabin and hibernating until the sun comes back out. You’ll be pleasantly surprised to learn that there are just as many activities to keep you busy during the winter as there are in the warmer months. Here are a few ideas for how you can enjoy all that the North Georgia Mountains region has to offer in the winter. Take in the Unique Winter Views First and foremost, the North Georgia Mountains offer spectacular views year-round. The region has mild winters compared to many places in the US, which makes it easy to fish, hike, and sightsee any time of year. In fact, trout fishing season hits its peak in fall and ends in the summer, making winter the perfect time of year to head out to Soque River. Looking to get on your feet? Tallulah Gorge State Park is known for providing several parks and trails for hikers, all of which have phenomenal views during the winter months. With more than a dozen waterfalls within a 30-mile radius of Blue Ridge, Georgia, you can’t forget to visit a local frozen waterfall. What’s a beautiful sight in the warmer months becomes a magical view in the winter. If you’re in the North Georgia Mountains in the winter, you simply can’t miss it! Delicious Food Choices When it’s cold outside, one of the best feelings is to get inside with some warm, delicious food. Thankfully, this couldn’t be any easier thanks to the wide variety of uptown dining options in and near Blue Ridge, Georgia. With plenty of award-winning restaurants and a wide variety of pubs, barbeques, and brunch spots, dining out in the Blue Ridge Mountains won’t disappoint. Some highly recommended restaurants include Black Sheep Restaurant Bar & Patio, Harvest on Main, Cantaberry Restaurant, The Village Restaurant, Checkers, The Celebration Cafe, and Riverview Beanery. If you aren’t quite sure where to go, look into a Blue Ridge Mountain food tour, where you can sample a variety of sweets, brews, or gourmet dinners. Christmas Activities in Georgia For many people, winter brings one of the most exciting events of the year: Christmas. One of the things many people love about living in the North Georgia Mountains is the great sense of community and hospitality. These traits make Christmas extra special in our neck of the woods, with several Christmas events in Georgia that are perfect for couples, families, and groups. Visit Mercier Orchards during the holidays to create a gift basket filled with unique baked goods and produce. Head to a local shop to meet the artisans who create hand-crafted gifts such as bamboo fly rods, fashion accessories, and ceramics. You also can’t miss the wide variety of art galleries, boutiques, and antique shops, where you’re sure to find unique gifts for the loved ones in your life. Once you’ve wrapped up your Christmas shopping, consider staying at one of the area’s many gorgeous cabins for a cozy night in. Celebrate the Season in the North Georgia Mountains  Whether you want to brave the cold for fantastic views, you’re looking to hit the slopes, or you’re on the hunt for a festive place to celebrate the holidays, the many North Georgia Mountain events and activities are sure to please. Though the sun may be out less often and the temperatures are dropping, there’s plenty of things to do to keep your spirits high in the winter.
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A view of a mountain range with trees in the foreground
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A view of a mountain range with trees in the foreground and mountains in the background.
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A wooden gazebo with chairs and a bench in the middle of a forest.
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