Raven Cliff Falls, GA

Hiking options are abundant in North Georgia mountains. Although we love to live in the city, we also enjoy hiking in the mountains on weekends. Helen is a touristy German town about 2 hrs drive from the city and is surrounded by mountains and waterfalls. I personally don't think there is much to Helen. You can probably visit the place once, but there is lots to see around Helen. The Unicoi State Park and Lodge has many cabins which are great getaway options. Our favorite hike this season so far has been Raven Cliff waterfalls (in GA, not SC). The hike to the waterfalls is only 2.5 miles and is along a steady stream of cascading waterfalls. There are many spots where you can just sit and enjoy the beauty or take pictures. We took our own sweet time to hike the 2.5 miles, stopping and admiring the cascades at every point. 

 

At the end of the hike you can see the falls peeking from the opening of the raven claw (the crack from the otherwise surrounding rocks). You can also climb and perch on the top of the rocks and get a beautiful view of these falls. The hike back is again 2.5 miles (this is not a loop) and as mesmerizing as the hike to the falls. Don't forget to buy the boiled peanuts on your drive to the mountains for a country-style hiking experience.