Hiking near Helen

Find a great hike near Helen, Georgia! Our favorite hikes near this Bavarian alpine town explore view-packed summits on the Appalachian Trail, lush creek valleys, and tumbling waterfalls.

Helen is one of North Georgia’s top destinations, well loved for its alpine Bavarian downtown, fantastic dining and great shopping. But if you’ve only visited the town for its well-loved Oktoberfest and German fare, you’re missing out: it’s central to Georgia’s best hiking trails, and makes for a great basecamp for a North Georgia adventure! Hike the Appalachian Trail at nearby Unicoi Gap to Tray Mountain, or explore the beautiful Dukes Creek Falls and Raven Cliff Falls just north of town. Or, chase down an adventure on one of our favorite hikes near Helen:

Waterfalls near Helen, GA: our favorite hikes

Hike these scenic trails to our favorite waterfalls near Georgia’s alpine mountain town of Helen, exploring wildflower-filled creek valleys, tumbling waterfalls, and rocky, mossy forests.
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Blood Mountain loop: hiking the Appalachian Trail & Freeman Trail

Hike a six mile loop to Georgia’s highest Appalachian Trail summit, climbing the AT and Byron Reece Trails to beautiful views at the Blood Mountain summit before looping back through a fern-filled forest on the Freeman Trail.
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Raven Cliff Falls Trail

Hike the Raven Cliff Falls Trail 4.9 miles through a waterfall-filled valley to one of Georgia’s most popular and beautiful waterfalls.
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Helton Creek Falls

Hike to two beautiful waterfalls at Helton Creek Falls on a short, kid-friendly, less-than-one-mile trail near Helen, Georgia.
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Yonah Mountain Trail

Hike the Yonah Mountain Trail through a rocky, wildflower-filled forest, climbing this iconic mountain to exceptional summit views and great backpacking campsites near Helen, Georgia.
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Helen, GA adventure guide: top outdoor things to do in Georgia’s German town

Find a great outdoor adventure in North Georgia’s German alpine village. Plan a great Helen getaway with our top places to stay and things to do: hike, bike, zip line, camp, and paddle. And relax in a cozy cabin, and enjoy some great dining options, too.
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Smith Creek Trail to Anna Ruby Falls

Hike a scenic back route to Anna Ruby Falls, hiking the Smith Creek Trail from Unicoi State Park and following a historic gold mining ditch to Anna Ruby’s stunning double cascades.
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Preachers Rock on the Appalachian Trail

Hike to the view-packed summit of Preachers Rock on the Appalachian Trail, climbing from beautiful trailhead views at North Georgia’s Woody Gap.
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Smithgall Woods State Park: our favorite hikes

Explore beautiful forest, tumbling waterfalls, gold mines, and the rocky, scenic creek bed of Dukes Creek at Smithgall Woods State Park near Helen. Follow our favorite hikes at the park: the Martin’s Mine Trail, Cathy Ellis Waterfall Trail, Ash Creek Trail and the Smithgall Wetland Loop.
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Arkaquah Trail: hiking Brasstown Bald to Track Rock Gap

Hike the Arkaquah Trail from Brasstown Bald, Georgia’s highest summit, and descend to Track Rock Gap to view ancient Native American petroglyphs on this difficult 11-mile round trip hike.
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