Atlanta TrailsbyTrailful Outdoor Co
Hiking Trails in Georgia

Tallulah Gorge State Park Hurricane Falls Trail

Hike Tallulah Gorge State Park’s most popular trail. The view-packed Hurricane Falls Trail skirts the gorge rim, descends to the gorge floor and crosses a suspension bridge to the thundering Hurricane Falls waterfall.

georgia hiking trails: 2-4 miles 2.25 miles
(round trip)
? Your mileage may vary! Accuracy of your GPS device, weather conditions, and stops along your route will affect your own recorded distance.
georgia hiking trails: difficultmost
difficult
?Our difficulty estimate, based on distance, terrain, elevation change, & ease of wayfinding. May vary daily due to weather, trail reroutes, downed trees, etc.
georgia hiking trails: no dogs allowed No dogs
allowed
?Due to park regulations, no dogs are allowed on this trail. Check out our favorite dog-friendly trails in Georgia for a great hike with your pup.

LOCATION:Tallulah Gorge State Park in Rabun County, Georgia

PACK:our Osprey day pack and our hiking gear list

OFFICIAL MAP: Nat Geo 778 Trails Illustrated Map (find it at Trailful Outdoor Co.)

Tallulah Gorge State Park is one of Georgia’s most stunning and popular hiking destinations, and indisputably one of the most scenic of Georgia’s State Parks. The turbulent flow of the Tallulah River carved this enormous, steep-walled gash in North Georgia’s Rabun County. The gorge stretches an astonishing two miles long and dives 1000 feet deep. Deep inside Tallulah Gorge, the river cascades over enormous rock outcrops, creating Tallulah Falls, a stunning set of six waterfalls.

Sheer drops, colorful rock outcrops, blooming mountain laurel and thundering waterfalls: Tallulah Gorge is an equally stunning sight from the towering rim and the deep recesses of the gorge floor.

Hike to up-close views of the Hurricane Falls waterfall deep in the depths of Georgia's Tallulah Gorge

The Hurricane Falls Trail packs the best of Tallulah Gorge’s scenic beauty in a relatively short, but steep, just-over-two mile loop. The trail explores Tallulah Gorge’s north and south rims, visits the enormous Hurricane Falls waterfall, and catches dizzying views from ten scenic overlooks that peer deep into the gorge’s waterfall-filled depths. It’s a well-groomed, easy-to-follow trail, hiking alternating stretches of boardwalks, a suspension bridge, pavement, mulched trail, and long stretches of unforgettable metal stairs. It’s a moderately difficult trail, but it’s absolutely worth the effort.

NOTE: Before you go, be sure to check the Tallulah Gorge State Park dam release schedule. Hiking in the gorge is not allowed on water release dates.

Hike Tallulah Gorge State Park's most popular trail.  The view-packed Hurricane Falls Trail skirts the gorge rim, descends to the gorge floor and crosses a suspension bridge to the thundering Hurricane Falls waterfall. #hiking #running #camping #backpacking #atlanta #georgia #travel #outdoors #adventure

Talluah Gorge Hurricane Falls Trail: the hike

This adventure departs from the Tallulah Gorge Interpretive Center (view maps and driving directions). The hike hangs a left at the first trail intersection, trekking eastbound to catch its first gorge views from the north rim. From Overlook 1A, the hike peers down to see the Tallulah Gorge suspension bridge far below in the depths of the gorge. Continuing eastbound, the hike crosses a small creek before reaching Overlook 1, catching views of Tallulah Gorge’s Bridal Veil Falls and the steep-walled, eastern sections of Tallulah Gorge.

Tallulah Gorge State Park: Hiking the north and south rim trails

The hike backtracks toward the park’s interpretive center, passing the trailhead and descending elevation to Overlook 3. The hike turns left (southbound), catching stunning, picture-perfect views from Overlook 2. Peering deep into the gorge’s depths, this vantage point offers lofty, dizzying views of the Tallulah River’s spilling waterfalls hundreds of feet below.

The trail begins a steep descent into the gorge, descending a series of metal stairs and platforms to a suspension bridge, hiking the bridge to cross the Tallulah River. The bridge sways with every step – an adventure itself – but pausing on the bridge calms the sway and offers views of upper Hurricane Falls.

Hike to gorgeous views from a towering suspension bridge at Tallulah Gorge State Park in Georgia

The suspension bridge crosses to the gorge’s south rim. The hike turns left at .8 mile, descending a final series of stairs and platforms to the Tallulah Gorge floor. The trail reaches a wooden platform at .9 mile and catches stunning views of Hurricane Falls as it crashes down into the boulder-filled depths of the gorge.

Departing Hurricane Falls, the hike trails a stair-filled climb to return to the suspension bridge. The hike veers left at the bridge, climbing an extended stretch of stairs, grabbing a great cardio workout and ascending to the gorge’s south rim.

Reaching the Tallulah Gorge south rim at 1 mile, the hike turns left, hiking east to catch stunning rim views from Overlooks 8, 9 and 10. #9 offers exceptional views, and a stone bench set into a cave alcove provides some shade near #10.

Hike to stunning, towering views into Tallulah Gorge: Georgia's best waterfall hikes

Departing #10, the hike retraces past numbers 8 and 9, passing a pavilion at 1.4 miles. The trail catches one last view of Hurricane Falls at Overlook 7, and a far-distant view of the Tallulah Gorge suspension bridge at Overlook 6, before crossing the gorge just below the Tallulah River Dam along Highway 441.

The hike turns right after crossing the bridge, descending to Tallulah Gorge’s North Rim Trail and turning left to trek northeast along the gorge rim. The trail peers into the western edges of the gorge at Overlook 5 before catching views of the Tallulah Dam at Overlook 4, then trails through a shady, fern-filled creek valley. The trail completes its loop at 2.1 miles, reaching Overlook 3. The hike veers left at #3, returning to the Tallulah Gorge Interpretive Center at 2.25 miles and completing the hike.



More Tallulah Gorge hiking adventures

Tallulah Gorge State Park offers over 15 miles of fantastic hiking trails, ranging in difficulty from easy to extremely difficult. Arrive early at the park’s interpretive center to request a gorge floor permit (limited to 100 per day and not available on dam release days; check the park’s schedule). Then hike the difficult Tallulah Gorge Sliding Rock Trail to the Bridal Veil Falls waterfall downriver from Hurricane Falls.

And don’t miss the park’s former rail trail, the Tallulah Gorge Shortline Trail. It’s a paved trail that explores the banks of the Tallulah River just north of the gorge, visiting historic remnant’s of the trail’s railroad past and crossing the river by a suspension bridge.


 
Leave No Trace: Atlanta Trails, Asheville Trails and Trailful are official Leave No Trace partners

Please Remember

Always leave no trace, pack out everything you pack in, and if you see trash, pick it up and pack it out.

Stay on the marked trail, tell someone where you're going, pack safety and wayfinding essentials, and don't rely on a mobile phone to find your way. Please always practice good trail etiquette. And before you go, always check the trailhead kiosk, official maps, and the park or ranger office for notices of changed routes, trail closures, safety information, and restrictions.

Tallulah Gorge Hurricane Falls Loop Trail Map, Directions & Details

This map shows our approximate route while exploring this trail, but does not replace an official trail map. Please refer to the official trail map for the most current and accurate route.

Love the trail?

This trail is maintained thanks to the hard work of countless volunteers and donations from supporters of the Friends of Georgia State Parks. Please support them by making a donation or joining a volunteer day. Let's work together to keep these fantastic trails maintained and open for use!

Driving Directions



Parking

$5


GPS Coordinates

34.740217, -83.390500     //     N34 44.413 W83 23.430

Elevation Profile

Tallulah Gorge Hurricane Falls Loop Trail Elevation Profile
 

Eric Champlin is a creative director and photographer who loves to explore southeast. He's the co-owner of Trailful Outdoor Co, a locally-owned hiking outfitter shop in Hiawassee in the Georgia mountains near the Appalachian Trail. He’s also the co-founder of Atlanta Trails and Asheville Trails, digital magazines that highlight the South’s best outdoor adventures. His mission? To inspire others to get fit outdoors and explore the South’s incredible scenic beauty.