Amicalola Falls Lower Loop Amicalola Falls State Park, GA
miles
LENGTH 1.6 MILES
DIFFICULTY 3.2 Easy
DURATION 1 hour
ELEVATION GAIN
440
feet
TRAIL TYPE
Loop
Amicalola Falls Lower Loop

So you want to explore Amicalola Falls and want a loop hike but don't want to climb the never ending steps to the top of the waterfall? Then this is the hike for you. Connect with several trails along the west side of the park to form a 1.6 mile loop that also includes walking to the base of Amicalola Falls, Georgia's highest waterfall.

This is a popular park so get here early. There are many places to park but this trail begins at the parking lot along the Top of the Falls Road before getting to the top. This is a 10 car lot with 2 addtional handicapped spots. Many people take the short West Ridge Falls Access Trail directly to the watefall but I say save that until the end.

Begin the hike down the Spring Trail, heading downhill along rocky and rooty terrain. All trails are well marked and intersections have signs but there was one re-route that wasn't as obvious but did have branches blocking the wrong paths.

After .3 miles, intersect with the Mountain Laurel Loop. You can take it either way but to make the hike a bit longer, turn right. Pass the Creek Trail then leave the Mountain Laurel Loop following the signs to the base of the falls.

Turn left at the reflection pool, following the AT Approach Trail to the falls. Although it's a rough gravel paved trail, this section of the hike is the most enjoyable as it follows along the rushing tumbling waters of the creek. At 1.2 miles you get your first view of the falls and the beginning of the 175 steps leading up to the falls. A bridge crosses the creek just below the falls, getting you right up in the action.

Finish out the hike on the recycled rubber ADA approved West Ridge Falls Access Trail back to the parking deck, passing the more difficult Amicalola Falls Loop which heads up an additional 425 steps to the top of the falls.

Explore more trails at Amicalola Falls State Park.

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Elevation Map Length (miles) by Elevation (feet)
Terrain Map Click to control map
Details
length1.6 miles
difficulty3.2 Easy
duration1 hour
trail typeLoop
blazeOrange (Spring), Green/Yellow (Mountain Laurel), Blue (AT Approach), White (West Ridge)
elevation gain440 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 34.565305, -84.248976 (Degree Decimal, DegDec)
N 34°33.92, W 84°14.94 (Degree Minutes, MinDec)
N 34°33'55'', N 34°33'55'' (Degree Minutes Seconds, DMS)
Trailhead Directions
34.565305, -84.248976 (Degree Decimal, DegDec)
N 34°33.92, W 84°14.94 most GPS units use this one
N 34°33'55'', N 34°33'55'' (Degree Minutes Seconds, DMS)
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If the parking lot on the way up to the top of the falls is full, you can alternatively park by the Visitor Center at the entrance and use the Creek Trail to connect to this loop or drive straight past the Visitor Center and park near the Reflection Pool to start the loop here.
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Reviews / Comments
Average Review Rating
4 (1)
hikethesouth-5 years ago
Alternative to More Popular Parts of the Park
This is an alternative loop to the more popular loop with the East Ridge trail. For the first half of this hike you won't see nearly as many people, but once you get on the AT Approach Trail to the base of the falls you definitely won't be alone.
Easy | Hiked Summer 2018
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