Whether you’re prepared for a day hike with a backpack and granola, or you’re simply looking to enjoy some nice North Georgia mountain views before dinner, you’ve come to the right place. Located 5 minutes away from downtown Helen, Lucille’s Mountaintop Inn & Spa offers adventurous travelers a luxurious place to rest and recharge before heading out on their next hike. We’ve rounded up the 7 best hiking trails near Helen, GA so you don’t have to waste any vacation time searching for the route that offers the best views and duration for your itinerary. After filling up on our 2-course breakfast, it’s time to hit the trail!
View from Mount Yonah summit
- Raven Cliff Falls
Address: 3000 Richard B Russell Scenic Hwy, Cleveland, GA 30528
Hours: Dawn until dusk
Lined with small Magnolia trees, this shady 4.9-mile out-and-back trail winds along the banks of a stream that’s studded with waterfalls and full of trout. If you climb past the final waterfall at the end of the trail, you’re treated to a literal split in the mountains where you can sit and reflect on giant rocks at the water’s edge. Since Raven Cliff Falls belongs to the Chattahoochee National Forest, there is a $5 daily parking fee and the gates close at dusk. Also, be prepared to take your shoes off or wear waterproof boots since there is a shallow water crossing near the beginning of the trailhead. - Duke’s Creek Falls
Address: 1699 Richard Russell Hwy, Helen, GA
Hours: Dawn until dusk
Perfect for a late afternoon short hike, Duke’s Creek features a 2-mile out-and-back trail with wooden bridges and observation decks where you can watch the cascading falls. A discovery of gold in these waters started the North Georgia gold rush of 1829, but today you’ll probably spot more botanical mint than currency. If you’re a plant enthusiast you’re definitely in luck: wild mushrooms often grow along the edges of the trail, especially during the fall. Just bring $5 for the parking fee since Duke’s Creek belongs to the Chattahoochee National Forest. - Yonah Mountain Trailhead
Address: GA-75, Cleveland, GA 30528
Hours: Open 24/7
Don’t let the duration of this killer hike deceive you: while Yonah Mountain may only be a 4-mile out-and-back trail, local hikers lament over their sore muscles for days after attempting to scale its 1,500-foot summit. Its high altitude gives it the best view of any mountain around, however, and offers stunning views year-round. - Hardman Farm Trail
Address: 143 GA-17, Sautee Nacoochee, GA 30571
Hours: Open 24/7
This 1-mile paved trail begins at the Hardman Farm Historic Site and winds into downtown Helen along the Chattahoochee River. Alternatively, you can also use the public parking lot in downtown Helen and walk into Hardman Farm from there. Along the way, be sure to check out the mysterious “bridge to nowhere,” a set of steps with a landing on the edge of the trail that has no apparent purpose but is said to be haunted. - Anna Ruby Falls
Address: Anna Ruby Falls Rd, Sautee Nacoochee, GA 30571
Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
This short 0.9 mile out-and-back paved trail is home to twin waterfalls and is often a prime location for destination weddings and elopements. The entrance fee costs $5 per person and no one is admitted after 4:00 p.m. - Smithgall Woods State Park
Address: 61 Tsalaki Trail, Helen, GA 30545
Hours: 7:00 a.m. until dusk
Located just outside of Helen, Smithgall Woods offers hikers five miles of trails and 18 miles of roads to explore. The park also hosts seasonal trout fishing in Duke’s Creek, which flows through the park. Parking costs $5 per vehicle. - Tallulah Gorge
Address: 338 Jane Hurt Yarn Rd, Tallulah Falls, GA 30573
Hours: Depends on trail
This massive state park sprawls across both sides of Highway 441, offering different types of trails for hikers and bicyclists. The most iconic feature, the suspension bridge, swings over the 1,000-foot gorge and connects the North and South Rim Loop at Hurricane Falls. If you are coming from the highway, be prepared to walk down 347 steps to reach the bridge.
View from Tallulah Gorge
Still need more ideas? Ask your innkeeper about other exciting activities near Lucille’s.