Hurricane Falls Stairs at Tallulah Gorge

The Signature Hike of Tallulah Gorge

If you only do one hike at Tallulah Gorge State Park in Northeast Georgia, make it the Hurricane Falls loop. This is the trail that drops you down into the gorge on a long staircase, across a swaying suspension bridge about 80 feet above the Tallulah River, and right up to a viewing platform at the base of 96-foot Hurricane Falls. It is the most photographed spot in the park for a reason, and it is the experience most visitors come for. If you want to build a full weekend around it, our Tallulah Gorge weekend hiking itinerary pairs this loop with the rim trails and the strenuous gorge-floor route.

How Many Stairs Are There?

This is the question every visitor asks at the Jane Hurt Yarn Interpretive Center, and the honest answer is a lot. The full Hurricane Falls loop involves roughly 1,000 metal-grate steps when you account for the descent to the suspension bridge, the climb down to the bottom-of-falls platform, and the return back up the other side. The stairs are built into the gorge wall in long, switchbacking flights with landings, so you can pace yourself.

A few things worth knowing before you start:

• The steps are open metal grating, so wear closed-toe shoes and skip anything that could slip through.
• There is no shade for stretches of the descent, which matters in a humid Georgia summer.
• The climb back out is the hard part, not the way down. Save energy.
• Strollers and wheelchairs cannot use the staircase, though the rim overlooks are accessible.

The Suspension Bridge

About halfway down the north staircase you reach the suspension bridge, which spans the gorge between Hurricane Falls and the gentler Oceana Falls downstream. The bridge bounces a little as people cross, which is part of the fun. From the deck you get a clear upstream view of Hurricane Falls thundering over the rock and a dizzying look straight down at the river. This is the best free vantage point in the park, and it is reachable without a permit, unlike the gorge floor itself.

Connecting to the Rim Trails

The genius of the Hurricane Falls loop is that it ties into the park's rim trail system. You can start at the Interpretive Center, walk a short stretch of the North Rim Trail past overlooks 2 and 3, then take the staircase down to the bridge. After crossing, the South Rim staircase brings you up to overlooks on the opposite side, including views of Tempesta Falls and L'Eau d'Or Falls. String them together and you have a half-day of hiking without ever leaving the developed trail network.

How Long Does It Take?

Most reasonably fit hikers complete the Hurricane Falls loop in 1.5 to 2.5 hours, depending on how long you linger at the bridge and how many breaks you take on the climb out. Add the rim overlooks and you are looking at a comfortable half day. Get there early, especially on weekends in spring and fall, because the park caps total daily attendance and the small lot fills up.

Best Time of Year

Spring brings the heaviest natural water flow and blooming mountain laurel along the rim. Fall delivers the color the Blue Ridge foothills are famous for, with peak foliage usually in mid to late October. Summer is hot and humid but the early morning is pleasant, and the park sometimes schedules scheduled water releases from the dam on select fall and spring weekends, which transform the river. Winter offers crisp air, thin crowds, and occasional ice on the stairs, so check conditions first.

What to Bring

• Water, more than you think, especially for the climb out.
• Trail shoes with grip for the metal stairs.
• A small daypack so your hands are free on the bridge and stairs.
• A park pass or the daily parking fee, payable at the entrance.

Pair the Hurricane Falls loop with a night in nearby Clayton or Tallulah Falls and you have an ideal Northeast Georgia weekend.