Top 5 Best Hikes Near Blue Ridge, GA
Explore the best hike near Blue ridge with our top 5 list of hiking trails. From waterfalls, to great views and easy family hikes, we hit the trail in our quest for adventure.
This article was written by Brianna, the owner of the great family Mountain Mama Cabin located in Cherry Log, GA: Airbnb, Direct Book (no fees), located near all of these great hiking trails!
Amicalola Falls - West Ridge Falls Trail
Located in Dawsonville, Georgia, which is about an hour and a half from Blue Ridge. The trail is only 3/4 of a mile long, but it's a steep hike. The first half is uphill with switchbacks, then once you reach the top of Amicalola Mountain (1,260 feet), the second half of your hike is downhill and mostly flat.
The waterfall itself is beautiful! You can see it from several different vantage points along the trail. There are also some great views of other parts of Amicalola State Park including Lake Trahlyta and Amicalola Falls as well as hiking trails surrounding it all that you can explore if you're interested!
Preacher’s Rock
Preacher's Rock is a popular destination for many Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest visitors. Located on the Appalachian Trail (AT), it offers views of the surrounding mountains and is a great place to stop if you're looking for a break from your hike.
The trail itself is easy, with only eight miles of hiking and one mile of flat terrain as you ascend to the top of Preacher's Rock. You'll pass by several smaller peaks along the way, including Dukes Mountain and Chattooga Point, before coming upon this larger mountain in Georgia that makes up part of the Blue Ridge Mountains' eastern boundary line.
After reaching Preacher's Rock after about two hours from the trailhead at Amicalola Falls State Park - which has plenty of parking spots available - you'll find yourself surrounded by forests filled with pine trees alongside moss covered boulders that make up part of this incredible landscape; no doubt making it one of Georgia's most beautiful sights!
Panther Creek Falls
Panther Creek Falls is a short but sweet hike, located directly off the Blue Ridge Parkway just north of the town of Blue Ridge. At just 0.3 miles long and relatively easy, this trail is great for all levels of hikers. To get there, take exit 40 on I-20 and head east towards town. After you cross the bridge over Lake Blue Ridge, look for parking on your left just after mile marker 30 (there's also a small pull-off before this).
Panther Creek Falls features multiple waterfalls in a beautiful setting - it's not uncommon to see people swimming in pools below some of them! The best part about Panther Creek Falls is that it's so close by - once you've finished exploring these falls, there are plenty more trails within hiking distance (like with Bear Creek Trailhead).
You should bring good shoes or boots; walking sticks are also helpful if you're going downhill from Panther Creek Falls back towards your car! While there aren't any official bathrooms onsite at Panther Creek Falls itself, there are bathrooms available in downtown Blue Ridge less than 15 minutes away via foot or car (if you're heading back right after visiting Panther Creek Falls).
If time permits: go hang out at Fontana Dam! You'll need some sort of transportation to get here since it's about an hour away from Panther Creek Falls - but even if only briefly stopping by would be worth considering :) There's plenty do do here including whitewater rafting tours/rentals plus restaurants & bars nearby too :)
Long Branch Loop
The Long Branch Loop is a 6.5-mile loop that begins and ends at Long Branch Trailhead within the Chattahoochee National Forest. The trail takes you through an array of different terrain types, including streams and waterfalls. It also offers some great views of the surrounding mountains as well as Blue Ridge Lake below.
The elevation gain for this hike is minimal (only 1,200 feet) with an elevation of 3,700 feet at its highest point. This moderate hike would be easy enough for anyone who has been on these trails before but could pose challenges for those who are not used to hiking or are looking for something more challenging in their hikes.
The trailhead parking is free so it’s easy to get started!
Lake Blue Ridge Loop
Lake Blue Ridge Loop is a great place to hike, explore and have fun. This trail begins at the lake and heads through the forest until it reaches Manget Mountain Trailhead, which has an elevation of 2,840 feet. The distance from start to finish is 11.8 miles round trip and takes about 6-7 hours for most people to complete without any stops or breaks along the way.
This trail has many things to offer including: camping sites, fishing spots (with poles available), swimming areas (with lifeguards on duty), boat rentals, paddleboard rentals and more! If you want adventure but also want some comfort then this might be for you!
If you’re looking for a great place to go hiking, Blue Ridge, GA is the perfect place! The area has everything from short and easy hikes like Lake Blue Ridge, to longer and more challenging hikes like Amicalola Falls. No matter what level of experience you have or how much time you want to spend on your hike, there is something here for everyone. With so many interesting trails around town it’s hard not to enjoy a day out in nature!
