Amicalola Falls Hike
Waterfall · about 729 ft high | Georgia
2.1 mi loop
725 ft
Moderate
Amicalola Falls Hike at a Glance
The Amicalola Falls hike via the East Ridge Trail and Appalachian Approach Trail Loop is 2.1 mi loop with 725 ft of elevation gain.
| Falls height | About 729 ft |
|---|---|
| Trail | East Ridge Trail and Appalachian Approach Trail Loop |
| Distance | 2.1 mi loop |
| Elevation gain | 725 ft |
| Difficulty | Moderate |
Your time: about 1 h 5 min of moving time at Naismith pace (3 mph plus 1 hour per 2,000 ft climbed); about 1 h 20 min at a relaxed pace. A 160 lb hiker with a daypack burns roughly 600 kcal.
Adjust for your pace and breaks →Route line not shown. The 2.1 mi distance and 725 ft of gain for this hike are verified (atlantatrails.com), but we don't yet have a trail track we trust, so the map shows only the destination. Carry an official map.
About Amicalola Falls
Amicalola Falls is a waterfall in Georgia, about 729 feet high, on land managed by Amicalola Falls State Park (Georgia State Parks; operated by North Georgia Mountains Authority). Its height is from amicalolafallslodge.com.
The Hike
The hike to the falls follows the East Ridge Trail and Appalachian Approach Trail Loop: 2.1 miles as a loop with about 725 feet of elevation gain, from Amicalola Falls State Park visitor center. Distance from atlantatrails.com. By the National Park Service difficulty formula (distance against climb) that puts it at Moderate.
Before You Go
- Leashed dogs are allowed on this trail. (atlantatrails.com)
- Rock around waterfalls is slick when wet; stay on the trail and back from the edge.
- Check Amicalola Falls State Park (Georgia State Parks; operated by North Georgia Mountains Authority) for current conditions, closures and parking before you go.
Sources
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the hike to Amicalola Falls?
The East Ridge Trail and Appalachian Approach Trail Loop to Amicalola Falls is 2.1 miles as a loop with about 725 feet of elevation gain.
Where does the Amicalola Falls hike start?
It starts from Amicalola Falls State Park visitor center.
How tall is Amicalola Falls?
Amicalola Falls is about 729 feet high.
Are dogs allowed on the Amicalola Falls trail?
Leashed dogs are allowed on this trail.
Safety Information
Current Hazards
- Slippery wet rock near the falls
- Fast, high water after rain or snowmelt
- Check weather before departure
Turn-Around Time
3:00 PM
Plan to reach the falls by this time so you are back before dark.
Essential Gear Checklist
* Critical items - do not hike without these
Emergency Contacts
Emergency / Search & Rescue
911Point Forecast
NWS Point Forecast →In most of the US, backcountry search and rescue is dispatched through 911 — tell the operator you have a hiker emergency and your GPS coordinates.
Downloads
Sources for The Amicalola Falls Guide
Where the trail data, elevation and route line on this page come from.
- Verified against
- atlantatrails.com
- Distance
- atlantatrails.com
- Falls height
- amicalolafallslodge.com
- Falls location
- en.wikipedia.org
Conditions change. Check the land manager for closures, fees and weather before you go.
Nearby Hikes
Other hikes within 30 miles of Amicalola Falls.