Raven Cliffs Falls pours out of the mountain between the cliffs that loom above.
12 Raven Cliffs Falls
Unique! Raven Cliffs Falls is unlike any other waterfall in the area. A captivating mystery, it is fed by two streams that appear to come right out of the mountain and then plunge perfectly between the cliffs into the grotto below.
Height: 50 feet
Distance: 4.8 miles out and back
Trail surface: Hard-packed dirt
Approximate hiking time: 2 hours, 20 minutes
Blaze color: No blazes
County: White
Land status: National forest
Trail contact: Chattahoochee National Forest, Chattooga Ranger District; (706) 754-6221; www.fs.fed.us
Maps: DeLorme: Georgia Atlas & Gazetteer: Page 15 E9
Finding the trailhead: From the junction of GA 75 Alternate and GA 75 (just north of Helen), drive west on GA 75A for 2.25 miles. Turn right onto GA 348 (Richard B. Russell Scenic Highway) and travel 2.6 miles to a left turn onto FS 244 at the sign for Raven Cliffs Recreation Area. Head down the hill and go over a small bridge to the parking area on the left.
From the junction of GA 348 and GA 180, drive south on GA 348 for 11.2 miles. Turn right onto FS 244 at the sign for Raven Cliffs Recreation Area and follow the directions above.
The trailhead is located next to the bridge. GPS: N34 42.593 / W83 47.354
The Hike
Walk back west toward the bridge from the parking area; the trailhead is just before the bridge on your left.
The Raven Cliffs Falls Trail (#22) heads up a few wooden steps and off into the woods. The well-groomed and easy-to-follow trail leads to a footbridge. Cross the bridge and continue enjoying the wonderful hike, heading upstream along the creek. You pass two beautiful waterfalls along the way before going up and over a rise and arriving at some wooden planks. Cross these and find yourself on an island where the creek splits and surrounds you. Continue following the trail and cross another log footbridge, putting you back on the bank of the creek.
After strolling through the forest for less than 0.5 mile more, come to a third amazing waterfall in the creek. Continue on the trail as it makes a slow, steady climb to yet a fourth wondrous treasure of a waterfall. Don’t be fooled by these beauties—the main attraction is yet to come and well worth the hike.
Raven Cliffs Falls pours out of the mountain between the cliffs that loom above.
Continue following the trail upstream and across another log footbridge. You soon come to a fork in the trail before crossing yet another log footbridge. The trail rises and falls until you reach a tiny tributary. Rock-hop across it and then pass through an open primitive camping area. Past the camping area, the trail becomes evident again. Cross two more footbridges and rock-hop another small tributary before arriving at a fork in the trail. Bear right at the fork and make your final, steep ascent to a view of the cliffs in the distance. Climb up the rocky, muddy path to the boulders at the base of the cliffs. Raven Cliffs Falls comes pouring down between the cliffs.
Once at Raven Cliffs, you could continue on the trail to the right of the cliffs for views of the surrounding mountains from atop the cliffs, as well as another 100-foot waterfall, which is not visible from the base. This trail is very steep, slippery, and dangerous. To reach the top of the cliffs you must first climb the muddy slope and then traverse a 40-foot section of tree roots. Immediately after climbing the tree roots, there is a large hole that could easily kill anyone who accidentally fell inside. There are no guardrails or man-made boundaries of any sort at the top of the cliffs, and the drop-offs are very steep and very high.
I do not advise hiking to the top. However, if you choose to do so, use extreme caution! This portion of the hike should be attempted by experienced hikers only.
Located within the Raven Cliffs Wilderness, for most of the hike the trail closely follows Dodd Creek, named for Ed Dodd, an environmentalist, national park guide, and creator of the Mark Trail comic strip. Once a popular place for rappelling, this activity was banned in 1986 to protect the cliffs from erosion.
Miles and Directions
0.0From the trailhead, the trail heads west, up some wooden steps and off into the woods.
0.2Come to a footbridge. Cross it and continue hiking northwest as the trail follows the creek upstream.
0.3Pass the first of four wonderful waterfalls on your way to Raven Cliffs. Continue hiking west along the creek’s edge.
0.6Pass a second beautiful waterfall; continue hiking north and upstream.
0.7The trail crosses wooden planks onto a small island where the creek splits around you. Continue north-northwest on the island to reach a log footbridge back to the bank.
1.0Pass a third amazing waterfall. Continue to follow the creek west as the trail makes a slow and steady climb.
1.2Hike past a fourth, wondrous treasure of a waterfall as you make your way deeper into the forest. Continue hiking north-northwest along the creek’s edge.
1.3Cross another footbridge and continue hiking southwest.
1.4Come to a fork. Stay to the left (west) at the fork and cross some logs. Continue hiking as the trail rises and falls and brings you across another tributary. Rock-hop across it as you make your way further into the wilderness.
1.7Pass through an open primitive camping area, continuing west. The trail becomes evident again on the other side.
2.0Cross a footbridge and continue hiking west.
2.1Cross another footbridge; once again, continue hiking west.
2.3Reach another fork in the trail. Go right to make a final steep ascent as the cliffs come into view in the distance.
2.4Climb up the rocky, muddy path to the boulders at the base of Raven Cliffs Falls (N34 43.402 / W83 49.410). Return the way you came.
4.8Arrive back at the trailhead.