The Raven Cliffs Trail has been one of my favorites since I was first introduced to it about fifteen years ago.  I took a hiking class at Young Harris College and had a blast hiking short trails like Raven Cliffs each week.  In the early 1990s the trail was still fairly new and had yet to be discovered by the masses.  In the spring of 1993 a big group of us from the college camped out at Raven Cliffs.  Even though it was a perfect weekend there were only a few others on the trail.

After my days at Young Harris College I would return often to repel from and climb the cliffs.  At the bottom of a hundred foot rock wall was a deep pool of water from the waterfall that rushed through the middle of the cliffs.  We would repel at top speed from the cliff and splash down into the pool.  Unfortunately other climbers were not very respectful of the cliffs and destroyed much of the natural vegetation so the Park Service had to put an end to ropes on the cliffs.

In recent years the crowds have found Raven Cliffs and the trail had to painfully adapt.  I hiked the trail a couple of Octobers ago – during peak leaf season – and there were so many people that I could see hikers in front of me and behind me.  It felt a little like Disney Land.  To save the environment there is now a fee parking area, bathrooms at the parking lot, and better maintained trails.  But don’t let the modern amenities turn you off because this is still a beautiful trail with a magnificent ending.  It’s also the perfect North Georgia hike for beginners and those that want to experience nature, but don’t have the physical ability to hike a strenuous trail.  A fun weekend includes a couple of nights in Helen and hike on the Raven Cliffs Trail.

Trail Info:
Raven Cliffs Trail sits in the 9000 acre Raven Cliffs Wilderness and follows Dodd Creek for 2.5 miles to giant cliffs split by a rushing waterfall.  To get to Raven Cliffs go north through Helen, Georgia on GA 75 for a mile and a half past the Chattahoochee River.  Just after the flea market turn left onto Alt. 75 South and drive for two miles until you get to the Richard B. Russell Scenic Highway (the most beautiful road in Georgia).  Travel for three miles and turn left into the Raven Cliffs parking area.  Bring some dollars bills to pay for the parking. I think its $2.00 to park.
The trail follows Dodd Creek and offers some nice waterfalls the first mile and a half.  After that it rises slowly until you reach the cliffs.  Bring your camera, water, and a snack.  I like to bring my lunch and eat it on the rocks at the bottom of the cliffs.

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