Tallulah Falls recommendations for youngster hiking

[shootsacanon]

I’m taking the family up to Tallulah Falls for a day trip this weekend, & looking for general recommendations.

I’m seeing it has something like 1000 stairs on one of the trails, but I’m not sure of those are 1000 consecutive stairs, or if that’s across the entire trail? We did Amicalola Falls in the Spring, & the 425 consecutive stairs there were about the most our youngest (7) could do.

Also, I’m not sure if we’ll hit all of the falls this trip or not, so which would be the priority if we are hitting 3-4 based on ease of access, & which would be the 3-4 priority based on general impressiveness/beauty?

Lastly, should we pack a lunch or what’s a good restaurant recommendation in the area?

TIA!

 

[KOMRAD]

Hello,
I went for the first time earlier in March with my relatively, average, healthy 63 year old mother.
We stopped on the landings. Went all the way around and it seemed like a 2+/- hour circle with breaks.
Theres a lot of stairs and elevation changes. Down, then up.
If it isn't hot, a healthy abled body person would do ok or better.
If your 7 year old plays sports and its not hot I think its manageable.
We did underestimate it. I really enjoyed it myself.

 

[shootsacanon]

Hello,
I went for the first time earlier in March with my relatively, average, healthy 63 year old mother.
We stopped on the landings. Went all the way around and it seemed like a 2+/- hour circle with breaks.
Theres a lot of stairs and elevation changes. Down, then up.
If it isn't hot, a healthy abled body person would do ok or better.
If your 7 year old plays sports and its not hot I think its manageable.
We did underestimate it. I really enjoyed it myself.

Great info! Thanks!

 

[WallsGa]

We took our kid out last year. The steps are not consecutive. There are spots you can rest along the way. It’s not easy but is definitely doable.

There is a restaurant at Wander North Georgia but check the hours. Lots of spots in Clayton a little farther up the road. Goats on the Roof is interesting but watch out for the snack shop there - lots on junk food your kid will want.

 

[Tazz]

Probably a lot different up there than when I went with 13 other folks to camp out one weekend in ‘76. I remember one thing though, it was in the mid 90’s but the water in that river was SO FREAKIN’ COLD!!! 😳 😆🤣😂😎 We never even saw any of the attractions, we stayed right by the river for 3 days.

 

[Davers]

Probably a lot different up there than when I went with 13 other folks to camp out one weekend in ‘76. I remember one thing though, it was in the mid 90’s but the water in that river was SO FREAKIN’ COLD!!! 😳 😆🤣😂😎 We never even saw any of the attractions, we stayed right by the river for 3 days.

I'll bet it's way different than I last ' Climbed Down ' in 1992 ish + carried a cooler of Brew down ( like dummies in their teens & early 20's .) It was a challenge ,

Sounds great that they built stairs around the Gorge / Falls .

Guess you are there by now & hope y'all have a fun safe trip no matter what .

Ill add in 1993 Before the Laws changed , I was invited on a 1-2 Night camping trip down in the Gorge but declined as I was " On the Wagon " at that time $ knew I would likely drink if I had gone .
Well 6 friends went along with 3 cases of Beer & a Bottle or 2 , I was told a Ranger warned them about the danger & stated " Y'all take all that down & you might not come out ".
Well that night at ( Sliding Rock ) my friend was sliding down standing up & apparently slipped back & hit his head , knocking him out then drowned in the pool below , it took 10 + min (in the dark ) for anyone to notice he was gone , they tried CPR but it was to late & Mountain Rescue pulled him out .

Sorry for the sad story but it took place over Labour Day Weekend 1993 . So RIP Todd Wagner

God Bless Us All .

 

[shootsacanon]

Thanks for all of the input guys. We had a great time yesterday. The gorge floor was closed due to weather, but we did the full loop, other than the South Walenda Tower, and the 200 stair offshoot on the South side of the suspension bridge. The kids handled it great, with some expected breaks here and there. Definitely will be back.