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From the vantage point of Traditions of Braselton in the rolling foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, it’s easy to feel the pull of dozens of trails that lead to little known waterfalls tucked away in the woods. Set off on an adventure from the community to a few secret spots we’ve found on our own explorations…

Mulberry Riverwalk and Falls

Close to home, there’s a gentle waterfall along a 2.5-mile multi-use trail that runs along the banks of the Mulberry River. Set out from the Riverwalk Park, visit the falls and see the spot where four counties converge. To get there from Traditions, turn left onto Highway 124 – travel through the intersection at Hwy 53 – then take a right onto Jesse Cronic Road. It becomes Liberty Church Road, and the Mulberry Riverwalk will appear on your right. If you hit Hwy 211, you’ve gone too far.

Blue Hole Falls + High Shoals Falls

Located in Hiawassee’s Chattahoochee National Forest, this pair of falls is a pretty payoff to a 1.2-mile hike along the High Shoals Falls Trail. High Shoals Falls – which is actually five successive waterfalls – showcases a stunning 300-foot drop, while the smaller Blue Hole Falls is described by AtlantaTrails.com as “a single-drop waterfall that cascades into a deep, turquoise pool” – hence the name. To get there from Traditions, turn left onto GA-124 then right onto GA-60 after two miles. Travel 13 miles, then turn left onto road toward Cornelia / GA-365 North / I-985 North / US-23 North. Take I-985 N for 4.6 miles when it becomes US-23 N / GA-365 N / GA-13 N / Cornelia Hwy N. Continue for another 7.5 miles before turning left onto GA-52 / Lula Rd. After 6.3 miles, bear right onto GA-283 / Holly Springs Rd. Turn right onto US-129 N / GA-11 / Cleveland Hwy, after 7.2 miles, take another right onto US-129 N / GA-11 / S Main St. After 1.7 miles, turn right onto GA-75 / Helen Hwy, then immediately turn right onto Indian Grave Gap Rd. Be on the lookout for the High Shoals Falls trailhead. This trip represents a roughly hour and a half-long drive.* Insider Tip: Make a side trip to Helen or one of the wineries in the area!

Dukes Creek Falls

If you haven’t gotten your fill of the Helen area, you should check out Dukes Creek Falls – with its 150-foot drop and premium views of Yonah Mountain. To get there from Traditions, take a left only GA-124 and a right onto Hwy 60. Travel 13 miles then turn left onto the road that leads to GA-365 North / I-985 North / US-23 North, then take the ramp on the right for I-985 N / US-23 N / GA-365 N / Lanier Pkwy N. After 4.6 mi, keep straight to get onto US-23 N / GA-365 N / GA-13 N / Cornelia Hwy N. After 7.5 mi, turn left onto GA-52 / Lula Rd. Travel 6.3 mi, then bear right onto GA-283 / Holly Springs Rd. Turn left to stay on GA-283 / Holly Springs Rd. In 2 miles, turn right onto US-129 N / GA-11 / Cleveland Hwy. In 7.2 mi, turn right onto US-129 N / GA-11 / S Main St. After 1.7 mi, turn right onto GA-75 / Helen Hwy, then immediately bear left onto Asbestos Rd. In 5.9 miles, turn right onto GA-75 Alt / Highway 75 Alternate, then left onto GA-348 / Richard B Russell Scenic Hwy after another 1.6 mi. In 1.7 miles, turn left onto Dukes Creek Falls. The last intersection before your destination is GA-348 / Richard B Russell Scenic Hwy.*

DeSoto Falls

Also located in the Chattahoochee National Forest – closer to Dahlonega – DeSoto Falls is legendary in more ways than one. Legend holds that a piece of armor was found there from Hernando De Soto’s famed expedition of the Southeastern United States in the 1500s. A roughly two-mile roundtrip trek will lead you past two falls here, as well. AtlantaTrails.com describes this trail as kid- and dog-friendly. You’ll cross a couple of wooden bridges over Frogtown Creek along the way. To get there from Traditions, turn left onto GA-124. Travel 2 miles, then turn right onto GA-60. After 15 miles, turn right onto GA-13 / GA-60 / Jesse Jewell Pkwy SW, then turn left onto GA-53 Conn / GA-60 / W Academy St SW. After 12+ miles, the road name changes to GA-249 / GA-60 / S Chestatee. After roughly 7 miles, turn right to stay on US-19 N / GA-52 / GA-60 / GA-9 / Morrison Moore Pkwy E. In 8 miles, enter the roundabout and take the 1st exit, onto US-19 N / GA-9 / Highway 19 N. After 5.3 miles, turn left onto US-129 N / US-19 N / GA-11 / Highway 19 N. After 5.7 miles, arrive at the park on the left.* Insider Tip: Save time to pan for gold in Dahlonega on the way up or back.

Jacks River Falls

For those who like a more intense hike, the 18-mile roundtrip trail to Jacks River Falls won’t disappoint. Tucked away in Cohutta Wilderness (the largest wilderness area in Northeast Georgia), Jacks River Falls checks both boxes for scenic beauty and hidden gem. Dress to get wet, as this hike involves a number of river crossings. Set out from the Daily Gap trailhead where the 9-mile payoff is an awe-inspiring 80-foot cascade into a sparkling pool framed by a sea of greenery. To get there by car, turn left out of Traditions of Braselton onto Highway 124/GA-124. Travel 2 miles, then turn right onto Highway 60/GA-60. In 15 miles, stay straight to go onto John W Morrow Jr Pkwy which will become Dawsonville Hwy/ GA-53. In 20 miles, turn left onto Highway 9/GA-9/GA-53. At the roundabout, take the 3rd exit onto Highway 53/GA-53. After 2.58 miles, take the 1st exit at the next roundabout onto Elliott Family Pkwy/GA-183. After another 10 miles, enter the next roundabout and take the 2nd exit onto Highway 52/GA-52. Travel 18.26 miles, and turn left onto 1st Ave/GA-2. Turn right onto Industrial Blvd/US-76 W/GA-282. Continue to follow US-76 W/GA-282. Travel 17.30 miles, and turn right onto Old Highway 411/US-76 W/GA-282. After 2.38 miles, turn left onto Smyrna Ramhurst Rd/US-76 W/GA-282. Take the 1st right onto Highway 411/US-76 W/US-411 N/GA-61. Continue to follow US-76 W/US-411 N/GA-61. Find Old Hwy 2 on the right and follow the road for 7 miles. When you see signs that point to Beech Bottom, turn right and cross a gravel road. The first right turn will be the Daily Gap trailhead.*

Looking for even more waterfall adventures in and around Northeast Georgia? Be sure to look up Amicalola Falls – the tallest waterfall in Georgia, Emery Creek Falls near Ellijay, Minnehaha Falls (easy hike for kids), and Tallulah Falls (great to hit on the way to Highlands, NC) – among others! Traditions of Braselton provides the best of both worlds – with the allure of the North Georgia mountains and its many treasures to the north and the draw of downtown Atlanta with its attractions, world-class restaurants and upscale shopping to the south. Of course, our lifestyle-centric master-planned community offers is own wealth of fun things to do without ever leaving the community – from the sparkling waters of our Swim Club to friendly competition to be found on our tennis and pickle ball courts. To learn more about Traditions of Braselton – including our roster of highly skilled builders – visit us at www.TraditionsofBraseltonHomes.com. 

*Directions are result of mapping software searches. We cannot vouch for their accuracy due to road construction, etc. May want to use GPS to find the route that’s best for you.

KB 7/27/21

Blue Ridge Mountains, Things to Do, tips, Waterfalls