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Holcomb Creek Falls
Written By: Brian O’Shea | Issue: 2021/01 – Winter
Holcomb Creek Falls is a worthy spectacle, but it requires a wary hiker.
South of Scaly Mountain and into northern Georgia sits Holcomb Creek Falls, a cascading wall of water dropping about 150 feet along multiple tiers that hikers should put on their “To Do” list.
It gets even better, just beyond Holcomb Falls is Ammons Creek Falls, another gorgeous waterfall that drops about 50 feet.
There are a couple of options in terms of starting points for hikers, the most straightforward being Holcomb Creek Trail off Hale Ridge Road in Rabun County, Georgia.
It’s about a half-mile hike to Holcomb Falls from the trailhead, and Ammons Falls is about a quarter mile beyond that. Hikers can keep going and come out at another trailhead further down along Hale Ridge Road, but often hikers turn around at Ammons Falls and backtrack.
Round-trip to see both waterfalls is less than two miles, but hikers are looking at an elevation change of about 500 feet, so the hike out can be strenuous.
Decks and bridges have been built to view both waterfalls, but those have been severely damaged by fallen trees. Use caution navigating the bridges; the fallen trees are still there, boards and railings are destroyed, and everything is wet and slippery.
Holcomb Creek Trail begins next to the intersection of Hale Ridge Road and Overflow Road.
From Highlands, head south on Highway 106 and turn left onto Hale Ridge Road at the Scaly Mountain Outdoor Center. Travel 2 miles and turn left to stay on Hale Ridge Road. If you find yourself on Bald Mountain Road, you missed the left turn to stay on Hale Ridge Road. Drive another 3.5 miles to the intersection of Overflow Road and Hale Ridge Road.
The trailhead is next to the intersection and marked with signage.