Happy Trails
Hiking in and around Sky Valley
Copyright Time Shares of Sky Valley, Inc., updated 17 May 2015
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A Sky Valley trail guide was originally compiled by Janie Sue Yearwood, a true
historian and enthusiast of these mountains and Sky Valley in particular. She
personally had hiked all of the trails in the original version; with friends, family and
guests of the resort over the years. In keeping with that tradition this 2015 version has
many of Janie’s original trails plus others that have become additional favorites. Happy
Trails!
More information
Boyd’s Guide to Northeast Georgia’s Rabun County by Brian A. Boyd, Fern Creek
Press, Clayton, GA 2006 has sections on:
o Hiking trails
o State Parks
o Recreation areas
o Waterfalls
o Camping
o Fishing
Tips for the Trip
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ALWAYS let someone know where you are going and when you expect to return.
NEVER hike alone… share the experience with others.
NEVER climb around the waterfalls… admire them only. One step could be fatal.
ALWAYS wear comfortable hiking boots/shoes with good tread as some trails are
steep and slippery.
PREPARE for the unexpected inclement weather which occurs frequently in the
mountains. Pop-up showers and thunderstorms tend to happen in the afternoon.
ALWAYS pack beverages and snacks for your trip.
PACK IT IN AND PACK IT OUT! A litter free trail is enjoyed by all.
NEVER leave the trail, as you may become disoriented.
NEVER attempt to create a shortcut, especially in the areas of ”switch-backs” as this
will create unnecessary soil erosion.
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Rabun Bald Mountain
Trail Head N 34* 58.747’ W083* 18.176’
4 Miles “Moderate”
Elevation – 4,696 Feet
From Sky Valley entrance turn right on Bald Mountain Road, traveling for 2 miles. Turn right (very sharp turn) onto
Kelsey Road. There is a Forest Service Trail Head sign at the turn. Go for approximately ½ mile. You will come to a large
clearing for parking. Please do not block the private drives or Peacock Blvd. The first mile of the trail is an old abandoned
logging road, which will lead to a clearing and an obvious camp site. The second mile of the trail enters behind boulders
with a “hiker” sign. The highlight of this trip leads you to the top of a fire tower and a fabulous view of Sky Valley and
beyond. *Note make sure you take the same trail out that you came in on, as there are other trails which lead off the
mountain. Spectacular 360 degree view!
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A SCENIC DRIVE TO THE COLUMNS
N34*59.511 W083*17.212
Imagine that you are exploring some of the back roads of the North Carolina mountains, and suddenly
you find yourself gazing in astonishment at what appears to be the remains of an old Grecian temple
standing majestically alone, about the height of a two story building with a span of about that of a
three lane highway. The work on the columns began in 1902 and they were molded using the same
method as the Romans used in 200 B.C. Around 1908, they were moved by railroad to the First
Baptist Church of Gainesville, Georgia. to be used as the entrance to the church. A fire destroyed the
church in 1906, but the columns withstood the disaster.
The property which the columns grace was the estate of the late Brevard Williams, who was an artistic
designer with a shop in Highlands. The concrete foundation for each column is four feet in thickness
and five feet square, and they are spaced apart exactly two and three quarter times their diameter at
the base. Each of the columns is in three sections and are joined together without any cement and are
so perfectly balanced that they can not only withstand the elements, but probably an earthquake.
Erecting these magnificent columns upon this spacious location on a mountainside was a Herculean
task of moving 100 tons of stone and a crane over the narrow rural road where they now stand. After
the columns were erected in 1960, Williams was often asked his reason for wanting them. His answer
was reported to have been, “well I didn’t have any!” The columns can be viewed by the road only, as
they are on
PRIVATE PROPERTY.
Directions: From the entrance of Sky Valley, turn right on Bald Mt. Rd. driving about 3.3 miles until
you reach Hale Ridge Road. Turn right and proceed for .7 mile. Columns are on the right side of the
road. Take the camera!
COLEMAN – TALLULAH RIVER
2 MILES EASY
Trailhead: N 34*55.835’ W083*32.856
Directions: From Sky Valley travel 441 south, to first traffic light in Clayton, turn right onto highway
76 west and travel for 8 miles. Turn right onto Persimmon Valley Rd. (Persimmon Valley fire
department is on the right.) Travel for 4 miles then turn left on Tallulah River Road until you reach
the first bridge. (approximately 2 miles). A small parking area with a trail sign is at the entrance.
There is a $2 parking fee. Driving time: Approximately 30 minutes.
Persimmon valley and trail: Scenic beauty, whitewater, trout fishing, and camping.
BULL SLUICE
CHATTOOGA RIVER
½ MILE EASY
From Sky Valley, turn left on Bald Mountain Road to Hwy. 246. Turn left onto Hwy 441 south and
proceed to second traffic light in Clayton. Turn left onto Hwy 76 east at McDonalds and travel 8.5
miles. As soon as you cross over the Chattooga River, turn left into paved parking area. The “Bull
Sluice” trail begins at this point. This point is very popular for picnics and photo taking of the rafters
running “Bull Sluice”, a class V rapid, and was also the site for much of the filming of “Deliverance”. A
bit further at the left of the trail entrance is a beautiful sandy beach that is used as a launch site for the
river outfitters.
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Discover a variety of wildflowers and 390-460 million-year-old rocks and cliffs that reach to
4,930 feet. Enjoy a moderate to easy 2 mile hike with spectacular views to the east, south and
west. Millions of years ago Whiteside Mountain began as a huge mass of molten rock deep in
the earth. The rock cooled, and then heat, pressure, and uplift metamorphosed the granite rock
into granitic gneiss (pronounced “nice”). In the following ages, the overlying material eroded
to expose this majestic rock.
During the spring and summer, you may see peregrine falcons flying above or sitting on rock
outcrops. Through the endangered species program, the falcon was reintroduced in 1985 to
Whiteside Mountain, part of the bird’s native range.
Source: U.S. Forest Service
Directions: From Sky Valley take NC 106 to Highlands then right on US64E, then turn right on
SR 1600 at the Whiteside Mountain sign.
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Trails at Tallulah Gorge
GORGE FLOOR ACCESS (hikers only, no pets)
Hurricane Falls Staircase (approximately 600 metal steps). Sliding Rock Trail.
GORGE FLOOR TRAIL (hikers only, no pets)
2.5 miles, round-trip. No soil, all rocks and boulders. Rated very difficult.
PERMITS REQUIRED FOR GORGE FLOOR:
• Free permits are required to access the gorge floor and can be obtained at the Interpretive Center. Visitors must
wear proper footwear to obtain a permit -- no flip-flops or crocs. Permits will not be issued after 4 p.m. (3 p.m.
during daylight savings time)
• Permits limited to 100 per day. On busy days, permits may run out early in the morning. Permits are not
transferable.
• Groups of 20 can get permits on Saturday and Sunday only. Groups of 30 can get permits Monday through Friday
only. To protect the natural resources, no groups larger than 30 are allowed.
• Weather and water flow conditions can restrict gorge floor access.
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STONEPLACE TRAIL (mountain bikes allowed)
Approximately 10 miles, round-trip. Rocky and compacted red dirt. Rated moderate to difficult.
• Accessed on Interpretive Center Road.
• Trail is approximately 10 miles round-trip or 15 miles if you include the High Bluff Loop.
• Must obtain permit at the Interpretive Center.
• This trail is also used for mountain biking.
• It consists of an old road bed with large ruts in several areas.
• During hunting season, it is recommended hikers and bikers wear brightly colored clothing.
NORTH & SOUTH RIM TRAILS (hikers only)
3 miles, round-trip. Mulched surface with exposed roots. Rated moderate.
The North and South Rim Trails consist of 3 miles round-trip which will take approximately 2 hours to hike. It is a
mulched trail with exposed roots that is a leisurely walk. From the Interpretive Center there is a recycled rubber tire
trail that accesses Overlooks 2 and 3.
North Rim Trail - Access this trail behind Interpretive Center. It is approximately 3/4-mile one-way, moderate
with some inclines and stairs. This trail has five Scenic Overlooks.
South Rim Trail – Located on the opposite side of the gorge from the Interpretive Center this trail is
approximately 3/4-mile one-way, moderate with inclines. This trail has five Scenic Overlooks.
HURRICANE FALLS LOOP TRAIL (hikers only, no pets)
Approximately 2 miles, round-trip. Mulched with metal stairs. Rated difficult.
• This trail has a total of 1,099 stairs (including staircase to gorge floor)
• Please do not attempt this trail if you have any known health condition
• Please do not leave children unattended.
• No pets allowed on this trail.
HIGH BLUFF TRAIL (mountain bikes allowed)
4 miles, round-trip. Compacted red dirt. Rated moderate.
• Must obtain permit at the Interpretive Center.
• This trail is also used for mountain biking.
• During hunting season, it is recommended hikers and bikers wear brightly colored clothing.
SHORTLINE TRAIL (multi-use)
3 miles. Paved. Rated easy.
This trail can be accessed from Terrora Circle Road, is paved and can be used for hiking, biking, skating, etc. It
follows part of an old railroad bed.
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Trails at Black Rock Mountain
JAMES E. EDMOND TRAIL (Backcountry)
7.2 mile loop. Rated difficult to strenuous. The 7.2-mile James E. Edmonds Backcountry Trail, named in honor of one of
the park’s first rangers, offers both day hiking and backcountry camping. This trail is quite steep in a number of places and
is rated as “moderate to strenuous.” In laurel-filled coves, the trail follows cascading streams with small waterfalls. In the
northernmost section of the park, the trail climbs to the summit of Lookoff Mountain and offers a stunning vista of
Wolffork Valley and surrounding mountain ranges.
BLACK ROCK LAKE TRAIL
.85 mile loop. Rated easy. The loop around scenic Black Rock Lake, completed in 2007, is a wonderful addition to the
park’s trail system. The 17-acre lake is unspoiled by development and is rimmed by forests of white pine and yellow
poplar. The gently rolling .85-mile loop is rated “easy” and is perfectly suited for beginners. Wooden bridges cross Taylor
Creek and Greasy Creek, the two cascading streams that feed Black Rock Lake, and an 80-foot bridge spans Cricket Cove
on the lake’s southwest corner. A wheelchair-accessible pier adjacent Turtle Rock and a 160-foot wooden boardwalk allow
anglers a chance to fish for bass, bream, catfish, yellow perch and rainbow trout. In addition, several tables along shady
Taylor Creek offer the perfect location for a creek-side picnic.
ADA HI-FALLS TRAIL
.25 mile one way. Rated moderate to difficult. The Ada-Hi Falls Trail provides a delightful but challenging walk into an
outstanding example of a moist, north-slope Appalachian cove. The trail features mature hardwoods, lichen-covered
rocks, a variety of ferns and wildflowers, and a dense thicket of rhododendron. At the trail’s end is the observation
platform for noisy Ada-Hi Falls, a small cascade typical of those at higher elevations in the Blue Ridge Mountains.
TENNESSEE ROCK TRAIL
2.2 mile loop. Rated moderate to difficult. The yellow-blazed 2.2-mile Tennessee Rock Trail, winding its way through
some of the highest and lushest forests, is the park’s most popular hiking trail. Rated by experienced hikers as “easy to
moderate,” the trail offers most visitors a perfect opportunity to get better acquainted with the area’s rich woodlands and
vistas, that on clear days span over 80 miles into the neighboring states of both North and South Carolina, as well as
Tennessee. The effects from an EF-2 tornado are clearly visible on the trail’s western edge, as hikers begin the climb to
Black Rock Mountain’s summit. While the damage to the forest is saddening to an extent, downed trees have enhanced
vistas at several points along the trail and opened the thick woods for new growth.
NORMA CAMPBELL COVE TRAIL
This is the park’s newest trail which is named after the late Norma Campbell, a popular park naturalist who first proposed
the development of the Marie Mellinger Center. The tenth-of-a-mile scenic trail begins at the Center on the southern edge
of the Eastern Continental Divide and descends into the upper reaches of a densely-wooded, south-facing cove. Hikers
pass by huge rock outcrops framed by ferns, mayapple and trillium and will see gurgling springs that flow down the cove
into Stekoa Creek, one of the principal tributaries of the federally-designated “wild and scenic” Chattooga River. Several
log benches allow hikers to relax in the shade and enjoy this lush Appalachian hollow.
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The Ellicott Rock Wilderness
This is an 8,274-acre tract of unspoiled mountain land that surrounds the point at which Georgia,
North Carolina, and South Carolina come together. The first boundary, a small scenic area, was
identified and established in 1966. It and a much larger area were made a part of the National
Wilderness System in 1975 and thus became fully protected by guidelines of the 1964 National
Wilderness Protection Act.
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This primitive land is isolated and well protected, allowing a wilderness experience within its rocky,
mountainous terrain.
The National Wild and Scenic Chattooga River flows through the wilderness, cascading from 2,381
feet to 2,100 feet within its boundaries. Fork Mountain, 3,294 feet above sea level, is the secondhighest point in South Carolina.
This wilderness has several unique plant communities, a number of rare and endangered plants
growing alongside the trails, evergreen forests with dense understory of mountain laurel, streamside
rhododendron which defies human penetration, a diverse population of large and small animal life,
and many fish, including the eastern brook trout.
Hiking is the only method available for exploring the interior of Ellicott Rock Wilderness. The
automobile-access roads merely provide a way to get to the trailheads. No horses, bicycles, or
motorized vehicles are permitted. Camping is allowed within the wilderness, but campsites must be
over .25 mile from an approach road and 50 feet from a stream or maintained trail.
The Forest Service has recommended a 2,000-acre addition to this wilderness in the Sumter National
Forest in South Carolina. The addition would be bounded by SR 107 on the east and the New Burrell's
Ford Road on the south.
Ellicott Trail is a 7 mile trail that starts and ends along Bull Run Road, west of State Road 107. The
trail traverses though Jackson and Macon Counties, meandering just north of the Georgia/North
Carolina state line. The trail's highlight is the Chattooga River, which splits the trail into two sections
... the western 4.5 mile stretch, and the eastern 2.5 mile section.
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Moccasin Creek State Park: Nature Trail and Hemlock Falls Trail
From Sky Valley go to Clayton then West on US 76 turn left on GA 197 South.
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