Appalachian Trail – Three Forks to Long Creek Falls

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Review of an 8 mile backpacking hike along the Appalachian Trail in North Georgia to an impressive waterfall.

The Appalachian Trail intersects Noontoola Creek just 4.3 miles from its beginning on Springer Mountain – and it’s from here that this out-and-back hike starts a journey on the Appalachian Trail to a beautiful, rushing waterfall in the Chattahoochee National Forest and through a delicate forest of hemlock and tulip poplar.

Long Creek Falls along the Appalachian Trail in North Georgia

This hike is easy to moderate and travels 8 miles out and back along the joined Appalachian and Benton McKaye Trails to the Long Creek Falls trail which travels to a scenic waterfall. From there, you’ll retrace your steps along the Long Creek Falls trail to the intersection of the Appalacian and Benton McKaye Trails, where you’ll head out on the Appalachian Trail for a few additional miles before returning to the trailhead. Total elevation change each way is a little over 800 feet.

Hiking the Appalachian Trail at Three Forks, Chattahoochee National Forest

The Three Forks area is named for the convergence of three creeks to form the Noontoola Creek here in the Blue Ridge Wildlife Area of the Chattahoochee National Forest. From the parking area, the trailhead for this hike is on the opposite side of the forest road from the wooden bridge that crosses Chester Creek. Depart the trailhead and start hiking North on the Appalachian Trail with Long Creek running on the left side of the trail. You’re actually hiking on two trails; here, the Appalachian Trail has converged with the Benton McKaye Trail, another of the famed long distance trails in Georgia (and was named for the founder of the Appalachain Trail, Benton McKaye).

Convergence of the Appalachian Trail and Benton McKaye Trail

Climb up on a moderate grade as you travel North along the trail, rising above the Long Creek through a forest of pine, poplar and rhodedendron. The leaves were nearing their peak of change during our hike in mid-October and added to the scenery of the forest. You’ll pass many campsites along the stream that are used by Appalachian Trail through-hikers on their journey between Maine and Georgia. The stream becomes louder as you continue to climb; it drops over a series of small waterfalls as it descends towards the trailhead.

Fall Foliage along the Appalachian Trail at Three Forks, Georgia

At just over a mile, you’ll reach a marked trail junction; from here, a trail leads North to Long Creek Falls (marked with a blue blaze); the Benton McKaye Trail splits off to the Northwest (marked with a white diamond), and the Appalachian Trail continues its journey North to Maine (marked with its signature white rectangular blaze). As you approach the trail junction, notice the double white rectangular blaze – so marked along the Appalachian Trail to signify that a trail junction is approaching within 25-50 feet.

Long Creek Falls Trail along the Appalachian Trail

From this intersection, follow the blue blazes to Long Creek Falls, a double waterfall that drops over 50 feet between the lower and upper falls. Large strewn rocks below the falls make the perfect place to relax for a water break (or lunch) while enjoying the rushing sounds of the waterfall.

Long Creek Falls Hike along the Appalachian Trail in Georgia

Once you’ve had your fill of the falls, return along the blue blazed trail to the intersection with the Appalachian and Benton McKaye Trails, and turn left to follow the white rectangular blazes of the Appalachian Trail. You’ll continue to climb along the Appalachian Trail, switching back several times as you hike away from Long Creek Falls. The forest opens up here, having been extensively logged in the past, and offers a change in scenery as the open canopy replaces the rhododendron from the earlier part of this hike with deciduous shrubs on the forest floor. Small streams and dry creek beds continually cross the trail.

Hiking the Appalachian Trail North of Long Creek Falls

At around 1.8 miles, you’ll approach a farmed clearing to your right just before the intersection of Forest Road 251. Continue hiking the Appalachian Trail through mixed deciduous and coniferous forest, ascending towards Hightower Mountain before descending towards Hightower Gap. Reach Hightower Gap at Forest Service Road 69/42 at 8 miles; from here, turn back on the Appalachian Trail to return towards Long Creek Falls and to the parking area at the trailhead.

Hiking The Appalachian Trail in North Georgia

As we descended along the trail after passing Long Creek Falls, we took advantage of one of the vacant camping areas along the trail to allow our black lab – who is always up a for a good swim – to play in Long Creek while we rested and had a snack.

On your way in to the trail on FR 58, you’ve passed one of our favorite camping areas in Georgia, along the Noontoola Creek at Three Forks. Click here for our review of this camp site – this beautiful area is well worth a stay overnight.