Bearden Falls Trail

Bearden Falls is the third member of what is commonly referred to as the “Three Sisters” waterfalls of North Georgia. The other two members of the sisterhood are the nearby and ever-popular Amicalola Falls, the tallest waterfall in the state of Georgia, and Cochran Falls, tied as the second tallest in the state. The 200-foot Bearden Falls is quietly tucked away near Nimblewill Gap in the Chattahoochee National Forest. The hike itself is quite pleasant, following alongside a creek with a few creek crossings. However, arriving at the falls is clearly the highlight of the trek. The falls is picturesque, and the trail climbs up the right side to the top of the falls for a nice view through the tree canopy.

To get to the trailhead you will drive out of Nimblewill via Nimblewill Gap Road. The road will turn to gravel about 1.7 miles from the trail. The road is passible, even by cars, although there may be a few sections where you’ll want to take it a little slow. There are many campsites in this area just off the road. When you near the trailhead, you will take a right onto a narrow dirt road and drive about 50 feet to a small parking area near a campsite to the right. The trail is completely unmarked, though fairly easy to find, and starts by following what appears to be an old logging road along Nimblewill Creek. The trail will then branch off to the right to follow Bearden Creek as it narrows, turns into a singletrack, and suddenly steepens just before arriving at the falls.