CAMPNPOST

Nearest Town: Tallulah Falls, GA
Trailhead Location: Tallulah Gorge State Park

Jane Hurt Yarn Rd

Tallulah Falls, GA

Difficulty: Easy to Very Strenuous

Trail Lengths:

• North Rim .75 mi.  (Easy to Moderate)
• South Rim .75 mi. (Easy to Moderate)
• Shortline 2.5 mi (Easy/Paved)
• Terrora Loop .75 mi. (Moderate)
• Terrora Trail .5mi. (Moderate)
• Hurricane Falls Loop 1.5 mi.(Very Strenuous)
• High Bluff Loop 1.5 mi. (Moderate)
• Gorge Floor 3 mi. (Very Strenuous)
• Stoneplace 5+ mi. (Moderate to Difficult)

Parking Fee: $ 5

We were camping at Wildcat Creek in the Lake Burton area and decided to check out Tallulah Gorge. When we entered the park we passed by the campground that looks very much like any other State Park type campground with all the  amenities and a variety of sites for tents and rv’s. We skipped that part since it was the last day of our trip and continued on to the Jane Hurt Yarn Interpretive Center.

The center itself was pretty cool and made for a field trip for the kids. It houses a gift shop, an exhibit showing the history of the town including a suit worn by Karl Wallenda who crossed the gorge on a tightrope , an animal display with live snakes, a wild animal exhibit with taxidermied animals, and some interactive displays as well.

After we checked that stuff out, we decided to do the North and South Rim Trails which are connected by the Hurricane Falls Loop. We started out on the North Rim, which is easy and relatively flat with a few stairs and small inclines, and headed to the overlook at the North Wallenda Tower.  There you get a bird’s eye view of Oceana Falls.  We then doubled back to pick up the Hurricane Falls Loop which is made up of 1099 metal stairs including the stairs to the gorge floor platform. This trail is considered very strenuous because of the stairs, but is easily navigated for the same reason. We had the kids with us and we were behind an elderly couple on the way down that had no trouble at all. The trail descends to the suspension bridge which crosses and provides a great view of the gorge. On the other side of the bridge, you can either head up the staircase to pick up the South Rim or descend to the gorge floor platform.

Since we were so close, we opted for the gorge floor and got a close up view of  Hurricane Falls. After spending some time taking pictures, we headed back up the stairs. After the first 200 or so, we decided running was the way to go. It was still a little taxing, but definitely much easier than walking. At the top we took a left on the South Rim Trail to check out the overlooks on that side. The overlooks on that side offered some impressive views of  Oceana and Hurricane Falls. At the end we doubled back to complete the rest of the South Rim Trail which is also easy and mostly flat. Part of the trail crosses the bridge on Hwy 441 and picks up on the other side. FOLLOW the MARKINGS on the GROUND, not the map at this section. The map can be misleading, especially if the attendant at the interpretive center draws lines on your map that instruct you to cross the highway before you cross the bridge. This is not necessary. The last part of the trail passes by the campground and a couple more overlooks, then takes you back to the Interpretive center.

We liked this hike because it was a pretty decent workout for being so short (about 2.5 mi.) and offered some really nice views.

Tags: Hikes near Lake Burton, Hiking North GA, hiking Tallulah Gorge, Tallulah Gorge