Amicalola Hike Inn Loop

Come enjoy what promises to be a taste of Fall-like weather on an invigorating 10+ mile hike at Amicalola Falls. If you're deep on the waiting list for the Pioneer Camping event that weekend, this will be like a mini-version of it! (Without, of course, the sleeping on the ground, or the campfires, or the food. Otherwise....)

We'll do the loop to the Hike Inn, starting at the top of the falls. We'll head toward Springer Mountain on the AT Approach Trail, then cut over to the inn for a 20-30 minute snack break. From there, we'll take the Len Foote Trail back to the top of the falls.

Distance is about 10.5 miles, with elevation gain in excess of 2,000 feet and lots of uphills and downhills throughout. We'll keep an average pace of between 2.5mph and 3mph, and we'll generally stay together as a group with several short hydration and regrouping breaks. If you're a speedster, you'll probably be frustrated; if you prefer it slow & steady, you may have difficulty keeping up. 

There is no organized carpool. We'll meet at the top of the falls parking lot at 9:00am for a 9:10am departure. The event duration is an approximation, so allow extra time just in case. 

The elevation gain, pace, and distance give this hike a difficulty rating of D4. If you don't have recent D3/D4 experience, this is not a suitable event.

We will meet at the top of the falls parking lot at Amicalola Falls State Park. The trailhead, restrooms, and falls overlook are located here. There are two levels of parking if the uppermost lot is full.

An approximate address for the park entrance is 280 Amicalola Falls State Park Rd, Dawsonville, Georgia 30534. See the top of this event description for GPS coordinates and a map link. Allow extra time if you're not sure where we're meeting.

There is a $5 entrance fee per vehicle at Amicalola Falls State Park if you don't have a Georgia state park pass.

The Hike Inn usually offers complimentary drinks (and leftover desert) to day hikers. The staff accepts tips in exchange for their hospitality.