One of the best reasons to base a trip out of Blue Ridge, Georgia is what surrounds it: the Chattahoochee National Forest, with hundreds of miles of trails ranging from short, family-friendly waterfall walks to full-day treks deep into the Cohutta Wilderness. If you're still planning the rest of your trip, our complete guide to visiting Blue Ridge, GA covers the full range of things to do beyond the trails. For now, here's a breakdown of the best hikes by difficulty, so you can plan a day (or several) on the trail during your stay at Waymaker Blue Ridge.
Easy Hikes
Fall Branch Falls
Distance: About 0.5–1 mile round trip | Difficulty: Easy
One of the most popular short hikes in the area, and for good reason. This creekside trail along the Benton MacKaye Trail leads through mossy forest to a double-tiered waterfall — a quick, satisfying outing that works well with young kids or anyone short on time. It's an easy add-on to a day that includes downtown Blue Ridge or Mercier Orchards.
Long Creek Falls
Distance: Roughly 2 miles round trip | Difficulty: Easy to moderate
Accessed via the Appalachian Trail, Long Creek Falls has a gentle grade and rewards you with a scenic cascade tumbling into a clear pool. Rhododendron and wildflowers line the trail in spring, making it a pretty walk nearly any time of year. Being able to say you hiked a stretch of the AT is a nice bonus for first-time visitors.
Lake Blue Ridge Loop
Distance: Under 1 mile | Difficulty: Easy
A short, flat loop with lake views — ideal for a relaxed morning walk or an easy way to stretch your legs without committing to a full hike.
Moderate Hikes
Grassy Mountain Tower
Distance: Roughly 5 miles round trip | Difficulty: Moderate
This trail climbs to a historic fire tower with sweeping views over the national forest — a solid choice if you want a real hike with a big payoff at the top, without venturing into full-day territory.
Emery Creek Falls
Distance: Roughly 6 miles round trip | Difficulty: Moderate
One of the most rewarding hikes in the area for the effort involved. The trail drops into a rocky creek valley, passing smaller cascades on Goldmine Branch before reaching the main falls — multiple scenic payoffs on a single moderate hike.
Hard Hikes
Panther Creek Falls via East Cowpen Trail
Distance: Roughly 8.3 miles round trip | Difficulty: Hard
A genuinely rewarding but demanding trail through the Cohutta Wilderness, following a peaceful forested route past Cowpen Mountain before reaching the falls. Plan for 4.5–5 hours and come prepared with plenty of water.
Jacks River Falls
Distance: 9–18 miles round trip depending on route | Difficulty: Hard
For serious hikers only. This trek into the Cohutta Wilderness passes multi-tiered falls and rugged terrain — a true adventure hike, best tackled counterclockwise due to steep sections, and not a casual weekend outing.
Tips for Hiking Near Blue Ridge
- Check trail conditions before you go, especially after rain — several of these trails cross creeks or have exposed rock that gets slippery.
- Start hard hikes early to give yourself daylight buffer, particularly the longer Cohutta Wilderness trails.
- Weekdays are quieter than weekends across nearly every trail in the area, especially in fall.
- Pack out what you pack in — these trails see heavy traffic during peak season, and staying on marked paths helps keep them in good shape for the next visitor.
Make It Part of Your Trip
Most of these trailheads are a short drive from downtown Blue Ridge, which means you can pair a morning hike with an afternoon in town or an evening at a local winery without much backtracking. If you're staying at Waymaker Blue Ridge, you're centrally located to reach nearly all of the trails on this list within 30–45 minutes.
Ready to plan your hiking trip? Book your stay at Waymaker Blue Ridge and make the trails your backyard for the weekend.