Here are the 2 best ways to hike Tallulah Gorge. One is to Hurricane Falls waterfall and the surrounding gorge rim loop, and the other is to the floor gorge to the sliding waterfall where you must get 1 of the 100 permits (first come first serve).
1. Hiking Tallulah Gorge Rim & Hurricane Falls
Hiking the Rim of Tallulah Gorge and Hurricane Falls is a much simpler way since you don’t need to acquire a floor Gorge permit. First, you start at the trailhead near the visitor’s center. After roughly a quarter mile you will come up on the first few overlooks of the amazing Tallulah Gorge. Here you can look down and view one of Georgia’s 7 natural wonders along with a few waterfalls at the bottom.
Shortly, after you’ll come to the notable suspension bridge crossing over to the other side of Tallulah Gorge. From here you can take a left or a right at a split-off. The best thing to do is take a left down to Hurricane Falls, view the waterfall while you’re within the majestic gorge, and then come back up to the split-off.
Once you walk the stairs back up to the split-off after viewing the waterfall, continue straight up the many stairs to the rim of the canyon. Once you reach the top, of the tiresome staircase, you’ll come to another split-off. The best thing to do is take a left then come back to where you would take a right and continue. If you take a left, you will come to Overlooks 8, 9, and dead end at 10, these overlooks show incredible views further within the gorge from atop.
After the dead end of Overlook 10, once you head back continue straight to finish the loop. Along the way, you’ll find many overlooks of the gorge. Towards the end, you’ll have to cross a bridge atop the gorge. After, continue along the path and you’ll eventually make you’re way back to the visitors center.
2. Hiking the Floor Gorge
The 2nd and more adventurous way to hike the Tallulah Gorge is the Gorge floor. However, you must achieve one of the 100 weather-dependent permits. The best way to do this is to wait in line at 7:30 am (30 minutes before they open), to secure a pass.
However, it’s worth the wait and early wake-up. Especially in the summertime since this hike isn’t one epic hugging the floor gorge near the Tallulah River aside from many waterfalls, but it also leads to Bridal Veil Falls which is a sliding waterfall. If you want to see more of this epic hike, see our video here.
After the adventurous trek at the bottom of the gorge, you’ll come across Bridal Veil Falls (picture above). This is one of the country’s best-sliding waterfalls. It’s a lot of fun, and much more safe than it looks.
Afterwards you can either head back where you came from or finish the loop going at a nearly straight upwards incline where you’ll make your way on the other side of the gorge to cross the bridge and make it back to the visitors center. The floor gorge is of the more memorable ways to hike Tallulah Gorge.
Summary | Ways to Hike Tallulah Gorge
Overall, Tallulah Gorge is one of the south’s natural Gem and is certainly worth a visit. hope this article helped on ways to hike Tallulah Gorge. In case you’re interested in an adventure near the area. Check out Mt. LeConte here.