July 22, 2025
Raven Cliff Falls Trail
near Helen, GA
It was a "great day for a hike," but still a warm (75-80°F) and humid, partly cloudy day. We began our hike from GA Hwy 348, a couple of curves north of the Raven Cliff Trailhead Road to avoid a previous difficulty in crossing Duke's Creek with its washed out bridge. We later found out this creek can be crossed without much difficulty. The trail follows closely along Dodd Creek and is heavily used. While very rooty in places, it is not dangerous, but does require some care in walking. The hike is a gradual, continuous shallow uphill walk to Raven Cliff Falls. Along the way we visited three additional small, but still quite scenic falls, that were a short scramble or no scramble down to the creek. Some of the Rhododendron are still in bloom in a few places and we did spot one colorful Carolina lily along the trail. Lots of poison ivy/oak along this path. This is an easy hike with just a bit of extra effort required to climb up the steeper rocks at the base of Raven Cliff Falls. Today's Hikers: Jenny Bell, Sue Vaughn, Kim Johnson, Gerald Richardson, Elizabeth Bakunas, Charles Hawkins, Pam Hembree, Vic Robson, Terre Pratt, Don, Pratt, Beth Hawkins, Jane Voss, Mike Jones & Mike Bell.
The route
5.3 mi · 548 ft climbing · 3h 41m out, 3h 4m walking · 1.7 mph moving
Elevation
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- Steepness
- Gentle under 5%
- Moderate 5–10%
- Steep 10–15%
- Very steep over 15%
22 photos are shown on the map where they were taken — click one to see it full size.
Photos (22)
Raven Cliff Falls . . not a lot of water flowing over it today. Today's Hikers (L-R) BAck: Jenny, Sue, Kim, Gerald, Elizabeth, Charles, Pam, Vic, Mike B., Terre, Don; Front: Beth, Jane & Mike J. We accessed an old trailhead from a clearing along GA Hwy 348 The old trailhead was torn up by some type of auto accident, but still accessible. Good thing we left our hang gliders home. This access trail has extensive poison ivy along the path. First two looks where the access trail meets the main trail seems to be a wet crossing, but just upstream a few yards is a stepping stone path across the creek. Just up the trail was the first cascade, a waterfall to some. Kim and Jane were adventurous enough to scramble down the embankment for a better view. There were extensive blowdowns and accumulations of debris from past storms across and along Raven Cliff Creek. And the trail was a bit rooty in places. Vic taking ownership of Lower Dodd Creek Falls further up the trail. Another view of the falls above and below Lower Dodd Creek Falls. This single example of a Carolina lily was spotted just off the trail. Photo by Jane Voss. Still further up the trail we saw the beautiful Dodd Creek Falls. The Georgia Waterfall Index states, " It is arguably more picturesque than Raven Cliff Falls itself." "These ghost pipes or Indian pipes, is an herbaceous, parasitic, non-photosynthesizing, perennial flowering plant." Source: Wikipedia. Photo by Jane Voss. A sampling of the eye-catching fungi today. Red mushrooms photo by Jane Voss. Typical trail conditions as we approached Raven Cliff Falls. Photo by Jane Voss. Just below the split in the rocks forming Raven Cliff. Taking a break just below Raven Cliff. You have to step back a ways to fully take in the enormity of the split in Raven Cliff. Don Pratt took this photo of a butterfly resting on Kim Johnson during our break. Headed back.