Memorial Day 3-Day Weekend: Awesome Hiking in the North Georgia Mountains

Sometimes the best trips are those decided on a whim, driven by a spontaneous desire to escape from the ordinary and embrace the extraordinary; an awesome trip hiking in the north Georgia mountains. And that is exactly what brought us to Suches, Georgia, during a long, glorious 3-day weekend. Through a serendipitous find on AirBnB, we stumbled upon a gem, the Coopers Creek Hilltop Hideaway, and booked it at an irresistible deal.

Through a serendipitous find on AirBnB, we stumbled upon a gem, the Coopers Creek Hilltop Hideaway, and booked it at an irresistible deal. This charming retreat is perched on a hilltop, surrounded by lush greenery and views of the Coopers Creek valley. The cabin was very comfortable with beds and linens that felt heavenly. The host, Natasha was a fabulous host as well. We left something very important behind and she worked diligently to return it to us.

Saturday

Raven Cliff Falls

We began our Saturday with an ambitious plan – hiking to Raven Cliff Falls. According to AllTrails, this is a moderate 4.9-mile Out and Back trail, with an elevation gain of 623 feet, nestled near the picturesque town of Helen. The trail winds through an enchanting woodland along a river. You get to see many smaller falls as you make your way to the top, eventually leading to the imposing Raven Cliff Falls. 

When you think you have reached the summit per se, keep going! There is a very steep climb to see the Raven Cliff Falls; the impressive force of the water slicing through the cliff, the resulting mist and the echoing roar were a surreal experience. It is completely worth the climb. This has got to be one of the best Moderate hike in Georgia with waterfalls.

Here is how my phone tracked the hike. It turned out to be a little longer than what All Trails reported it was.

Due to our proximity to Helen, we decided to head into town to grab some groceries. After a quick stop, we drove the curvy mountainous roads back to the cabin. 

Sea Creek Falls

After lunch we decided to explore the local area and took advantage of our proximity to Sea Creek Falls. An easily accessible trail of a mere half mile led us directly to the falls. Even though it was a short walk, the payoff was extraordinary. The melodious cascade of water gushing over rocks and the delicate spray of water on our faces rejuvenated our spirits.

There is also a small pool at the base of the falls that would be perfect for children to splash and play or for anyone to get a nice refresh on a hot day. While we were there, it definitely wasn’t warm enough; it was a strangely cool weekend for being in the end of May.

This is how my phone tracked the hike. It was a little longer than what All Trails reported it at.

Sunday

Blood Mountain Wilderness – Appalachian Trail

Finally, we dedicated our Sunday to the Big Cedar Mountain and Granny Top via the Appalachian Trail. According to AllTrails this trail is a more challenging 5.1-mile Out and Back hike, with an elevation gain of 1,089 feet. The terrain was mostly rocky inclines, each step revealing a new perspective of the stunning landscape and each muscle being tasked to enable us to climb up with each step. 

The most impressive vista was at Mile 1, Preacher’s Rock. We made a quick stop to bask in the beauty and then continued up to the end of the trail. The trail ended at just what seemed like a random spot in the forest, with no views or summit per se. Luckily in the descent, we got to stop at Preacher’s Rock again to view the unending expanse of verdant wilderness and mountains stretching all around us, a reward worth all the effort. 
The most impressive vista was at Mile 1, Preacher’s Rock. We made a quick stop to bask in the beauty and then continued up to the end of the trail.

The trail ended at just what seemed like a random spot in the forest, with no views or summit per se. Luckily in the descent, we got to stop at Preacher’s Rock again to view the unending expanse of verdant wilderness and mountains stretching all around us, a reward worth all the effort. 

Here is how we tracked on my phone. The hike we did was slightly shorter and slightly less elevation than what All Trails said, but we did turn around at an insignificant spot (which I thought was the turn around according to the map).

Serenberry Winery

After a quick shower and lunch we headed to Serenberry Winery to the Awake the Grapes Day. We all had a wine flight and relaxed at the vineyard before heading back to the cabin for our afternoon. Dinner followed by s’mores was a perfect way to end our day.

Overall, this spontaneous trip to Suches, Georgia was an invigorating journey of discovery and adventure. From the comfort of Coopers Creek Hilltop Hideaway to the mesmerizing falls and the commanding mountain peaks, we squeezed in a healthy dose of nature’s best offerings. A testament to the fact that sometimes, all you need is a last-minute decision, a fantastic accommodation deal, and a sense of adventure to create unforgettable memories.

Monday

REI

We drove home through Atlanta and made a pit stop at REI to pick up some needed hiking gear before their biggest sale of the year was over! Be sure to find a store near you! They have a great selection on all things outdoors.

Remember all this hiking is in preparation for the Inca trail. Follow us to see our upcoming hikes; to see some of our past hikes, you can see hiking in F.D. Roosevelt State Park, and hiking in Rocky Mountain National Park.

-S&E