Name: Amicalola Falls Loop
Rating: 5

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Amicalola Falls Loop Amicalola Falls State Park, GA

LENGTH 2 MILES

DIFFICULTY 7.7 Easy
Medium

DURATION 1-2 hours

ELEVATION GAIN

750

feet

TRAIL TYPE

Loop

Amicalola Falls Loop

Hike to the highest waterfall in Georgia and one of the state's seven natural wonders, the 729-foot Amicalola Falls. Trek along a rushing creek, climb an endless amount of steps to cross below the falls, and take in lengthy views from the top of the falls. You'll also travel along the official AT approach trail that leads to Springer Mountain. Dogs are allowed but are not recommended to take on the grated metal steps.

Begin this hike at the Amicalola Falls Visitor Center parking right when you enter the park. You can take this loop either way, but the more fun way (read more difficult) begins along the Creek Trail on the other side of the triangle-shaped parking lot across from the Visitor Center.

Despite its name, Creek Trail departs the creek fairly quickly and takes you up some steps, giving you just a taste of what's to come. At the two intersections, follow the signs to the base of the falls. Once you reach the Reflection Pool, stay to the left, heading up the steep paved-gravel path. At about 3/4 a mile in you'll reach you're first view of Amicalola Falls.

Up you go over 175 steps to reach the bridge crossing the base of the falls. In the right conditions you can get a little wet here. Just past the falls you'll see another set of steps leading sharply to the right. This is where the real work begins, climbing up another 425 steps to reach the top of the falls. Pretend the parking lot isn't there and ignore the realization that you could have driven to the top.

Take in the view from the top of Amicalola Falls before continuing on up concrete steps to another parking lot. Turn right to begin the East Ridge Trail at the end of the lot past the restrooms. This trail will take you back to the Visitor Center where you started. Go slow here, the path is very rocky at first, but you do have several great views along the way.

Explore more trails at Amicalola Falls State Park.

Amicalola Falls Loop.
Begin this hike from the Visitor Center along the Creek Trail.

Amicalola Falls Loop.
Hiking along the Creek Trail.

Amicalola Falls Loop.
Turn left to go around the reflection pool and hike up to the falls.

Amicalola Falls Loop.
Several smaller waterfalls and cascades line the trail up to the falls.

Amicalola Falls Loop.
The path from the reflection pool to the falls is a rough paved-gravel path.

Amicalola Falls Loop.
Heading up to the falls.

Amicalola Falls Loop.
Almost to the falls.

Amicalola Falls Loop.
Looking up at Amicalola Falls from the bridge.

Amicalola Falls Loop.
View from the top of the falls.

Amicalola Falls Loop.
Heading down the rocky East Ridge Trail.

Amicalola Falls Loop.
Great views on the way back down the East Ridge Trail.

Amicalola Falls Loop.
End this loop hike behind the Visitor Center.

Elevation Map Length (miles) by Elevation (feet)

Slope Breakdown

Elevation Gain

Elevation Range

Grade Range

Length

Elevation Gain

0 - 250 ft/mi

~ 0 - 5 %

0.2 mi

25 ft

250 - 500 ft/mi

~ 5 - 10 %

0.2 mi

73 ft

500 - 750 ft/mi

~ 10 - 15 %

0.2 mi

114 ft

750 - 1000 ft/mi

~ 15 - 20 %

457 ft

72 ft

1000+ ft/mi

~ 20+ %

0.2 mi

464 ft

Elevation Loss

Elevation Range

Grade Range

Length

Elevation Loss

0 - 250 ft/mi

~ 0 - 5 %

0.1 mi

20 ft

250 - 500 ft/mi

~ 5 - 10 %

0.2 mi

98 ft

500 - 750 ft/mi

~ 10 - 15 %

0.3 mi

186 ft

750 - 1000 ft/mi

~ 15 - 20 %

0.4 mi

321 ft

1000+ ft/mi

~ 20+ %

0.1 mi

151 ft

Terrain Map Click to control map

Details

length2 miles

difficulty7.7 Easy-Medium

duration1 - 2 hours

features Paved Path River/Stream Views Waterfall

trail typeLoop

blazeYellow (Creek Trail), Blue (AT Approach Trail), None (East Ridge Trail)

elevation gain750 ft.

state Georgia

park/forestAmicalola Falls State Park

visitor infoAmicalola Falls Visitor Center
280 Amicalola Falls State Park Road
Dawsonville, GA 30534
706-265-4703

hours7am - 10pm (Park)
9am - 5pm (Visitor Center, Sun - Wed)
9am - 7pm (Visitor Center, Thu - Sat)

parking fee$5/Day, $50 Annual Pass

trailhead coordinates 34.558326, -84.250074 (Degree Decimal, DegDec)
N 34°33.5, W 84°15 (Degree Minutes, MinDec)
N 34°33'30'', N 34°33'30'' (Degree Minutes Seconds, DMS)

Trailhead Directions

N 34°33.5, W 84°15

Google Map It

The Creek Trail begins opposite the Visitor Center at the entrance of the park on the other side of the small triangle-shaped lot. You should hear the creek.

Notes

There are a total of 600 steps to hike to the top of the falls. Or you could drive up, but where's the fun in that.

Dogs are allowed here but won't do well on this loop with the grated metal steps going up to the falls.

Stay on the maintained paths. Wet rocks can be very slippery.

Nearby Hikes

Amicalola Falls Base of the Falls

0.7 mi

2.6

Amicalola Falls Lower Loop

1.6 mi

3.2

Springer Mountain Loop

Similar Hikes

Amicalola Falls Lower Loop

1.6 mi

3.2

Tallulah Gorge North & South Rim Loop

2.6 mi

Fall Creek Falls via Gorge Overlook Trail

2.7 mi

6.6

Amicalola Falls Base of the Falls

0.7 mi

2.6

Reviews / Comments

Average Review Rating

5 (2)

New Review New Comment

abhinayar25-4 years ago

Tall falls and Pretty Park

Its a beautiful hike relatively close to the city. Recommended to go up the paved walkway and stairs (600) and come down the gravel path. The grave path offers great views of the surrounding mountains. Worth taking a short break to take in the wonderful views. The path through the steps gives excellent views of the falls. There is also a reflection pool to do some fishing. Number of picnic tables are available to sit down and snack at the top and bottom of the falls. Good hike for a day's trip.

Easy-Medium | Hiked Fall 2019

hikethesouth-5 years ago

Popular For A Reason

The one negative about this hike is you definitely won't be enjoying it in solitude. This is one of the most popular parks in Georgia, and for good reason. This loop has a little bit of everything. Excellent views, massive waterfall and babbling creeks. The section to the base of the falls is paved, but you also get a mix of well maintained dirt paths, very rocky sections, and wide gravel roads to form this loop.

Easy-Medium | Hiked Summer 2018

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Disclaimer: Hiking can be dangerous. The information on this site is meant as a guide and represents trail conditions at a given time. Always let someone know where you are going. A basic knowledge of first aid, backcountry navigation, and some common sense are highly encouraged. The difficulty and duration ratings are subjective and will not be representative of everyone's experience.

Disclaimer Disclaimer: Falling off a cliff, drowning in a river, or being eaten by a bear is still a better way to go than dying of a heart attack while sitting in traffic on the way to the office.