Hikes with Waterfalls in the Appalachian Mountains

HIKING WITH WATERFALLS

Folks looking for a healthy, adventurous and stimulating activities will find exciting hiking trails in northern Georgia which reveal the many captivating views of the renowned Appalachian Mountains.  Amicalola Falls State Park is a great place to start and is one of Georgia’s most visited state parks. The Georgia state park offers spectacular views of the cascading 720 foot waterfall that explodes over the towering bluff.  Amicalola Falls is the tallest waterfall in Georgia and the highest east of the Mississippi River. The best way to capture the view up close is to climb the 600 step outdoor stairway. 

Exploring this mountain paradise with no obstruction of foliage during the winter and spring season is when seasoned hikers enjoy it best. Hiking with waterfalls is a common request by our readers and the bonus of hiking in the late winter or early spring is the trails reveal some of the most beautiful mountain vacation homes found in the region that would otherwise be hidden by a forest. 

There are a variety of hiking trails available suitable to individuals of all fitness levels that showcase local wildlife and fresh mountain air to cleanse our body and soul. Dawson County is the home for the many shorter trails that wind throughout the majestic Appalachians.  Whether a novice or seasoned hiker, hiking escapes provide both great topography as well as providing an exhilarating and refreshing feeling associated by becoming one with nature.  

For beginners, Rock Creek or Veterans Park offers paved walking trails that are less than a mile and are short enough that a backpack of supplies is not necessary. It’s a great way to get the body acclimated to the activity and prepare for the lush and colorful hiking that is associated with the coming of spring.  Don’t forget, hiking is also a great way to burn excess calories that have been stored during the cold winter months and provides a great way to build muscle and cardiovascular well-being as well as a great way to spend quality time with friends and family.

Some of the most popular trails in the region are found at Amicalola Falls State Park. Hikes located here travel upward through the East Ridge Trail which begins at the Visitors Center. After enjoying an exhilarating and scenic climb, folks can return to the center by taking the stairs down the mountain adjacent to the breathtaking Amicalola Falls.  Just remember, with altitude, temperatures do drop, so an additional layer of clothing may be needed to adjust to the wind chills found at the top of the falls.  Hikers can also access the Appalachian Trail at Amicalola Falls State Park.

Another favorite hike in the region is the Len Foote Hike Inn Trail with has an incredible view overlooking the city of Dawsonville from the southeast.  With the sun receding at dusk, the sparkling glow of the city lights can be seen from Dawsonville which provides a pleasant and picturesque ending to this fun filled adventure.  For more ambitious hikers, there is a 10 mile-loop on the Len Foote Hike Inn Trail connecting to Appalachian Trail (A.T) that takes approximately 4 to 5 hours to complete.  The inn is hiker friendly and offers coffee and free drinks for adventurers who travel this course (sometimes the inn provides snacks like biscuit and honey for a quick energy boost).  On the return hike from the A.T, hikers will cross over Frosty Mountain and can enjoy more views of the cascading Amicalola Falls on the way down the mountain.   Don’t forget to bring a camera to capture this memorable experience.

While visiting the Appalachian Mountains, think about the possibility of enjoying the views year round by searching for that perfect retirement haven in the Big Canoe real estate development located in Jasper, Georgia right outside of Dahlonega. Named Best Hiking Community of the Year in 2015, imagine hiking with waterfalls right in your own neighborhood while enjoying the rustic mountain vacation homes found here.  At Big Canoe, there are over 22 miles of hiking trails at that meander through historic moonshine stills and preserved cabins dating back to the early 1800s.  

In the springtime, the forests come to life with windflowers and active wildlife celebrating the change of season. Waterfalls explode with the energy of melting snow from the mountain tops and embellish the overall experience of hiking here which has made this one of the best places to exercise healthy living and the perfect place to retire. There is no better place to find peace of mind and true outdoor living than in the Appalachian Mountains of Georgia.  We are found of the trails found at the Big Canoe real estate development and here’s why:

Nature Valley Park Trail System – 4 miles total (3.5 hours) is comprised of Lake Trail which is .3 mile each way which wraps around Lake Dishrag, over a couple bridges and a slow moving creek.  The trail connects with Wildflower and Jeep Trail.

• Wildflower Trail (.3 mile each way) meanders through a canopied forest with narrow bridges that cross over the creeks.  The paths found here are well defined and marked.  Wildflower Trail connects with the Falls Trail and Jeep Trail.
• Falls Trail Loop – (1.7 miles) is a bit more daring narrow trails that follows the creek while weaving through the beautiful forest found here.  The Lower Falls provides the perfect photo op with plunging waterfalls and a statuesque boulder to pose on.
• Jeep Trail Loop – (1.7 miles) is a car-size graved path leading to the Upper Falls which provides a gentle yet continuous upward climb.  Hikers will pass Disharoon Cabin which is a preserved moonshine distillery and a picnic area to enjoy lunch in the mountain air. 4x4 vehicles are permitted on the upper part of the trail and the Upper Falls also provides a great picnic area.
• Cabin Loop Trail – (.2 mile) loops around the picnic area and the historic mountain home called Disharoon Cabin.
• Nancy Womack Trail – (.5 mile) is the most challenging trail as it crossed over multiple streams and mini-waterfalls leading to the rock and waterfall viewing area.  Elevations reach as high as 3,400 feet.  Spectacular!

Meditation Park Trail System – 2 miles total (2 hours) – the trail winds through the forest along the Blackwell Creek providing the perfect scenery for this hike.  The trail climbs along the hillside above the creek and a walking stick is encouraged.  A narrow suspended footbridge leads to the Nature Trail and Blackwell Creek Trail.

• Covered Bridge Trail – (1 mile) is an easy trail that leads to Big Canoe’s signature covered bridge on Wilderness Parkway.  Following the Blackwell Creek the trail connects to the Blackwell Creek Trail.
• Blackwell Creek Loop – (1 mile) is a dense forest trail that is adjacent to the creek that leads to a robust stairway up to a Boy Scout Camp and outdoor amphitheater.
• Nature Trail – (.5 mile) this heavily forested trail leads from the Boy Scout Camp back to the Covered Bridge Trail.  

Wildcat Park Trail System – 4 miles total (1.5 hours)

• Wildcat Connector – (.6 mile) is found just beyond the pool area and provides a paved path that travel throughout the forest connecting to the Red Loop.  This is one of the more popular paths because it is paved and is pet friendly.
• Red Loop (1.9 miles) connects conveniently to Wildcat and takes hikers behind Big Canoe homes and bubbling creeks.
• Blue Loop (1.2 Miles) continues the course and has a slight elevation leading through the forest where another historic moonshine distillery can be found.
• Wildcat Recreation Connector – (.6 mile) is an easy path around the Wildcat Recreation Center suited for strollers and joggers.

Additional trails that can be found at Big Canoe include McDaniels Meadows Trail System, Indian Rocks Park Trail System, Playfield Park Trails, Waterford Trails and Choctaw Trails.  With so much green space to explore, it is no wonder that Big Canoe was voted the “Best Hiking Community of the Year”.  In addition to its sophisticated hiking trail systems, Big Canoe is the perfect place for mountain vacation homes or for permanent relocation.

The gated master planned community of Big Canoe encompasses over 8,000 acres with 30% of that protected as green space.  The property spreads across 7 mountains near Dahlonega and sits at an elevation of 3,200 feet.  Magnificent mountain views adorn the location and the amenities compliment the lifestyle of true outdoor living. Big Canoe was built in the late 1970’s the development features rustic mountain homes and private fresh water lakes and three scenic golf courses.  

Big Canoe’s entrance gate is less than 10 miles from the Amicalola Falls State Park and provides the perfect setting for living the good life in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Georgia.  Residents have all the conveniences located within the gates including restaurants, a post office and a chapel for worship.  Located nearby is a grocery store, shops and private school.  Folks never have to leave this mountain paradise to enjoy the finer things in life.  

Residents enjoy a 27-hole championship golf course designed by Joe Lee, a new lodge-style clubhouse overlooking Lake Petit, 2 indoor and 8 outdoor tennis courts, racquetball courts, 3 swimming pool areas, a high tech fitness center and spa as well as a beachfront lake for fun in the sun.  The property is accented with scenic mountain views, bubbling brooks and private waterfalls. 

For anglers, catching Rainbow Trout from the stocked Lake Petit is a favorite pastime and there are a total of 3 private lakes found at Big Canoe.  There is even a community marina called “The Shack” where pontoon boats can be rented for a leisurely ride or fishing adventure.  Pet lovers will enjoy the dog parks that are located here and the kids have a great time at the Swim Complex (open from Memorial Day to Labor Day) sliding down the Rock Slide built just for them.  The Big Canoe Tennis Club has an active member base of over 300 hundred and there over 50 social clubs to keep residents active and entertained.  There is always something fun happening at Big Canoe!  Here is a complete list of amenities found here:

BIG CANOE AMENITIES

• 24 Hour Manned Gated Entrance
• 27 Hole Championship Mountain Golf Courses designed by Joe Lee 
  • 9 Hole Creek Course overlooking Lake Sconti
  • 9 Hole Cherokee Course with dramatic elevations
  • 9 Hole Choctaw Course accented by waterfalls and rushing creeks
• Lodge-style Golf Clubhouse overlooking Lake Sconti
• 16,000 Square Foot Fitness Center
• Indoor Heated Saline Swimming Pool
• Resort-style Outdoor Swimming Pool bordering the Beach
• Wildcat Recreation Center with Outdoor Swimming Pool and Kids Pool
• Ballfields - Soccer, Baseball, Basketball and Bocce Ball
• Ten Lighted Tennis Courts
• 22 Miles of Paved and Gravel Trails for fantastic hiking in Georgia
• Three Private Lakes stocked with Trout, Bass, Bream and Crappie
• Community Boat Docks and Marina Store
• The Villages Market
• Three Dog Parks

To date there are approximately 2,600 homes built of the 4,750 planned.  With a “rustic mountain” architectural theme, prices range from mountain top estates to cozy cottages.  New homes for sale at Big Canoe start in the $300k’s and homesites can be found in the $50k’s.

Adjacent to the Big Canoe real estate development is the 28,000 acre Dawson Forest Wildlife Management Area which preserves the species indigenous to the region. Less than 10 minutes from Big Canoe is Gibbs Garden, a world class garden that will take your breath away.  Themed gardens include rose gardens, Japanese gardens, daffodil fields and water lily gardens.

When planning a hiking getaway, home shoppers considering Big Canoe real estate should consider the Canoe Life Discovery Package to experience Big Canoe life up close and personal. The package includes:

• 3-day, 2-night stay (lodging Tues-Sun nights pending availability) in a mountain home
• 18 hole round of golf per couple – $50 voucher towards dining at stunning Sconti Clubhouse
• Home tour of the diverse group of neighborhoods found at Big Canoe

Reserve your experience now for $375 per couple. 

While rejuvenating your soul and exploring this beautiful Georgian territory, visit some of the rustic mountain vacation homes found in the Big Canoe real estate community for home building and interior design ideas.