Georgia
White County
Raven Cliff Falls Trail
An excellent trail to the cliffs with Waterfall
This is absolutely one of the top trails in Georgia, I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a nice waterfall and wilderness Hike. This is located in a wilderness area so wear hiking boots for the best experience. Make sure you scramble the last 50-75 feet at the end to see the falls through the split in the cliffs.
This trail starts where Dodd Creek runs into Dukes Creek, the trail follows Dodd Creek, passing a few waterfalls, until it reaches the cliffs. The first waterfall is 1.1 miles into the trail and the 10 foot waterfalls splashes onto a boulder beneath. The woods change to hardwoods for the rest of the hike. At 1.3 miles you come to the second waterfall a nice 35 foot drops into a shallow pool. At the 2.5 mile marker is the highlight of the trip the massive 125 foot Raven Cliffs Falls. The lower 40 feet descend a cave like walls. It is clearly visible through the trees as you approach the falls.
The Trail is located in the Raven Cliffs Wilderness, which was designated in 1986 and currently consists of 9,115 acres. The Wilderness is located within the borders of the Chattahoochee National Forest in Lumpkin and Union Counties, Georgia. The Wilderness is managed by the United States Forest Service and is part of the National Wilderness Preservation System.
Take note that this trail is extremely popular, and the wilderness around is nearly worn out from all the camping, but does not deter the beauty of the falls.
Raven Cliff Falls is one of four popular waterfalls in the Forest near Helen, Georgia. Two of the other waterfalls, Anna Ruby Falls and Dukes Creek Falls, are also in White County, while the third waterfall, DeSoto Falls, is in neighboring Lumpkin County.
Length: 2.5 miles
Difficulty: 3
Nearby Trails
Dukes Creek Falls Trail
Trail to the beautiful Dukes Creek Falls
Laurel Ridge Interpretive Trail
A hike with breathtaking views of surrounding mountains
Logan Turnpike Trail
Runs from the Appalachian Trail to Kellum Valley with some good views
Unicoi-Helen Trail
Trail from Unicoi Park to Helen
Unicoi Lake Trail
A loop near the picturesque lake
Day Hike
I was so nervous never hiking before. Sitting at home and knowing I always wanted to hike to take beautiful pictures. I finally did it and went to Raven Falls. What a beautiful hike! I am so happy I went the whole way and didn't turn back. The Falls was beautiful and I can't wait to go again and see nature at a different light. I love my new hobby.
Day Hike
Update: Feb 12, 2022 There were a lot of trees down from the recent storms, the trail was clear or passable but towards the start there is a creek that used to have a bridge, now it's just a log over the creek. It's hard to get over, so many families turned back immediately. Also saw lots of people trying to hike with sneakers, it's very wet muddy trail, you really need hiking boots. Original: I hiked this trail with my family, the younger ones are nine and had no problem keeping up. The hike is 2.5 miles each way and is pretty level, except for the last 100 yards which is a scramble up some rocks to see Raven Cliff Falls.I would have given this trail a 5, but I took a little off because the trail is crowded and some of the trail is badly worn in places. It is still a must see trail in Georgia. The trail is kid friendly and can be hiked in 2-3 hours roundtrip.The Trail Head is nice with Toilets (outhouse), it's well marked off Richard B. Russell Highway. There are plenty of places to camp, but I would get there early since many of the more scenic ones were taken by the time we got there.