Georgia
Nature|Hiking

It’s Impossible Not To Love This Breathtaking Wild Flower Trail In Georgia

Shirley Miller Wildflower Trail in Georgia offers a stunning spring hike with diverse wildflowers and a beautiful waterfall.

Published Mar 20, 2017

Written by 

Angie Slayton

With the temperatures slowly creeping up to tolerable levels, and the imminent threat of any blizzards slowly subsiding, it is officially time to start planning your Georgia activities for the spring. One activity that you need to add to the top of your list, is the ever impressive Shirley Miller Wildflower Trail, also known as "The Pocket" of Pigeon Mountain. Often frequented from March to April for full-bloom potential, this wildflower trail is the type of trail that dreams are made of. Take a look at some of these insanely stunning wildflowers you'll see along this hike.

The Shirley Miller Wildflower Trail is one of the most impressive trails in the state of Georgia.

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Flickr Vicki DeLoach

At an easy 0.9 miles, this boardwalk trail leads you through "The Pocket" of Pigeon Mountain in order to see the blossoming Georgia flora and fauna.

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Flickr Vicki DeLoach

There are literally dozens of species of flowers, all leading up to the beautiful waterfall at the end of the trail.

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Flickr The_GUT

Here are a few of the flowers to keep an eye out for when you are on the trail:

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Flickr The_GUT

The ever-impressive Mountain Laurel.

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Flickr Andy Kraemer

The stunning Purple Fernleaf Phacelia.

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Flickr The_Gut

The dangling, vibrant Virginia Bluebells.

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Flickr Philip Bouchard

The hidden gem called Dutchman's Breeches.

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Flickr Philip Bouchard

The cleverly named False Garlic.

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Flickr Philip Bouchard

The deep, rich Spiderwort, which beetles tend to flock to.

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Flickr Philip Bouchard

Or the Eastern Columbine, delicate in shape and stature.

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Flickr Philip Bouchard

Also be prepared to watch a flurry of butterflies flitter about from flower to flower on this wonderful trail.

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Flickr Vicki DeLoach

But really the icing on the entire cake is the beautiful waterfall that you discover at the end of the trail.

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YouTube natureflixs1

Wildflowers, butterflies, and waterfalls, what more could you ask for?

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YouTube natureflixs1

Thanks to YouTuber natureflixs1, we have a serene look into what exploring "The Pocket" is really about:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JV6iKdq6APg

If you're interested in checking out this popular wildflower trail, then head over to the Crockford-Pigeon Mountain Wildlife Management area:

Pocket Rd, Chickamauga, GA 30707

Are you loving learning about these hidden gems of Georgia? If so, then this one is for you: These 8 Trails In Georgia Will Lead You To Extraordinary Ancient Ruins

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Nature|Hiking

The Jacks River Falls Trail Is One of the Best Waterfall Hikes in Georgia

Looking for a great waterfall hike in Fannin County, Georgia? The Jacks River Falls Trail is a challenging trail with beautiful views!

Published Aug 28, 2024

Written by 

Lisa Sammons

Few natural wonders are as impressive as a waterfall, and we're lucky enough to have some pretty amazing waterfalls in Georgia. If you're looking for a pretty amazing waterfall trail near Epworth, GA, right below the state line with Tennessee, we think you'll love the gem we have featured today. The Jacks River Falls Trail is a spectacular hike by any measure. It's a 15-mile out-and-back trek through the stunning Cohutta Wildlife Management Area, and it's certainly not for the faint of heart, but man, oh man, is it gorgeous!

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In all, the trail takes a little over five hours for most hikers to complete. It's got several river crossings and you'll definitely want to be wearing sturdy footwear and bring along trekking poles.

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Daniel Fiery/AllTrails

This is a wilderness area, so don't expect the trail to be perfectly maintained. There are going to be areas of overgrown plants and downed trees.

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Michael Mitchell/AllTrails

However, the waterfall views definitely make it a worthwhile adventure for an experienced hiker!

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Solamen Silva/AllTrails

Of course, you can always just hike a portion of the trail and not head all the way out to the falls, if you're looking for an easier experience.

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Rob Murphy/AllTrails

Many opt to make this a multi-day affair and enjoy pitching a tent along the route.

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Will King/AllTrails

It may be a challenging hike, but the scenery is gorgeous.

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Lars Holmquist/AllTrails

This is a stunning and rugged area of the state with so many outdoor adventures just waiting to be enjoyed.

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Izabela Sierdzinska/AllTrails

For more information about this amazing waterfall hiking trail near Epworth, GA, check out our friends at AllTrails.

If you consider yourself a big fan of hiking in Georgia, don't miss a free trial of AllTrails+. Benefits like 3D map views, wrong-turn alerts, and live sharing with friends make it an invaluable tool for anyone who spends time in the wilderness.

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Nature|Hiking

The One Loop Trail In Georgia That’s Perfect For A Short Day Hike, No Matter What Time Of Year

The Long Branch Loop Trail in Georgia offers a scenic and accessible 2.3-mile hike suitable for all skill levels.

Updated Aug 11, 2024

Written by 

Angie Slayton

Hiking in Georgia can be a great way to get outside, enjoy the fresh air and sunshine, and get your blood pumping for a few miles roundtrip. While there are so many different hiking trails in Georgia worth checking out, we have one loop trail, in particular, that is perfect for a quick day hike no matter the time of year. The Long Branch Loop Trail is located just outside of Blue Ridge and offers a 2.3-mile trek with some pretty impressive features along the way, making it one of the best loop trails in Georgia.

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The Long Branch Loop Trail in Georgia is a perfect hiking trail for all skill levels looking for a short day hike.

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Amy King/AllTrails

At just over two miles, this trek through nature in Blue Ridge, Georgia is filled with fascinating natural aspects and fresh air.

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Heather Barksdale/Google Reviews

With minimal elevation throughout the hike, you’ll be able to enjoy a simple hike through the forested canopies of trees.

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Bryan Jackson/Google Reviews

No matter when you hike this trail, there will certainly be something worthwhile to see. Fall brings about beautiful changes in color while spring has a wide variety of wildflowers in bloom.

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perry mccullen/Google Reviews

What’s more, is that this flat hike will have you crossing over the Long Branch creek twice, but also will keep you in the shade for a good majority of the trip. So summertime here we come!

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Suzanne/AllTrails

This loop trail is also part of a hiking-mountain biking trail system stretching 17 miles into the forest, so keep an eye out for bikers on this single-track wide trek.

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Laila Kring/AllTrails

You can’t really beat a short loop trail that has tons of wildlife but remains relatively under-the-radar. Once you experience it for yourself we're sure you'll agree it may be one of the best hikes in Georgia.

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Trader Josh79/AllTrails

Check out Long Branch Loop Trail the next time you want to get your legs moving but also take in all of the best scenery Georgia has to offer.

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Steven Watkins/AllTrails

Visit Google Maps to find out how to get to the Long Branch Loop Trail in Georgia.

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Google Maps

Have you ever been hiking on the Long Branch Loop Trail in Georgia before? Share with us your experience with one of the best loop trails in Georgia in the comments section! Or if you’re looking for more information about this hiking trail, including current weather and trail conditions, then be sure to check out the AllTrails website.

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