We believe the best hikes are ones where you're hiking toward something beautiful—a scenic overlook, a meadow of wildflowers, gushing waterfalls. Believe it or not, you can find secret waterfalls in Georgia—and some that only require a 2-ish mile hike in.
Instagram blogger Tee, @_asipoftee_, who shares her adventures camping and hiking in the southeast, took viewers to the bucket list destination: the beautiful Lula Lake hike.
Tee shows off the highlights of hiking in the preserve, including its two waterfalls and breathtaking mountain overlook.
The Lula Lake hike is 4.5 miles round trip on the Lula Lake preserve. It takes about three to four hours to complete and is considered a moderate hike thanks to a 700-foot climb.
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But the payoff is real: The loop takes you to Lula Lake, a small but beautiful blue lake complete with the 20-foot Upper Falls waterfall flowing into it. Just below is the main attraction: the 120-foot Lula Falls, one of the coolest waterfalls in Georgia.
Along the way, hikers will also hit the Bluff Trail, exposing huge views of North Georgia and Chattanooga, and be able to see everything in the Lula Lake preserve along the way.
If you want even more of a workout, there are a ton of trails that connect and can be added on, including a 6-mile adventure loop of all the trails combined that features 825 feet of elevation.
This hike does take a bit of preplanning. The Lula Lake land trust is only open to hikers on the first and last weekends of the month, during their "Open Gate Days," and you need to have reservations. As you'd imagine, it is a popular hike as one of the most accessible waterfalls in Georgia, and reservations book up quickly.
Visitors can enter the preserve at 9:00 a.m., and it closes at 5:00 p.m. Tickets are $16 per person and are for an hour-long arrival window. If you don't want to go it alone, you can sign up for a guided hike, which is $40. The guided hike covers the Classic Loop, which is shown in Tee's video.
All reservation proceeds go to the preservation of Lula Lake. Your parking is also included in your reservation fee. If you don't get a spot on your preferred day, the land trust has a waitlist, just in case of any cancellations. Of course, make sure you pack plenty of snacks and water, and if you pack it in, be sure to pack it back out with you.
