I have no idea why this area pulls at my imagination. It just does. The history of northeast Georgia is rich and for the most part overlooked. Last Sunday, I took the dogs for a walk along what is left of the Tallulah Falls Railroad (TFRR) trail. They loved it and I did, too!

The area is beautiful. The hike in and back out is about two to three miles. It depends on the route you take—whether you loop around to the parking lot or turn around and walk back along the route that the train once traveled. The paved trail was once rock and dirt and held train tracks. Chip is ready to go in this photo. He’s doesn’t want to stop to have his picture taken but he is willing to wait for a split second.

 

The trail parallels the Tallulah River and even crosses over it for the return walk back up the famous Old 441 Highway.

Cocoa already gets hot on these walks, and summer is weeks away. But she never refuses a chance to go into the mountains where we are usually greeted these days by “Please Don’t Fed The Bear” signs.

I’ve shot photos of these old rail supports before but not from this angle. Up until the mid ’50’s, these piers held the platform for the trains that crossed over Tallulah Lake. This is a delightful area, especially for those who are looking to take a day trip away from nearby Atlanta. Bring a picnic lunch and eat beside Tallulah Lake, hike the rim of Tallulah Gorge, and then stroll along what is left of the TFRR. (And you won’t want to go back to the city!)

Here’s another photo of the piers so that you have a better perspective of the lake and the river that runs through it.