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A beautiful loop offering remarkable viewpoints of the vast Cloudland Canyon.


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Map Key

4.9

Miles

7.8

KM

91%

Runnable

1,933' 589 m

High

1,626' 496 m

Low

734' 224 m

Up

737' 225 m

Down

6%

Avg Grade (3°)

27%

Max Grade (15°)

Dogs Leashed

Features Cave · Fall Colors · River/Creek · Spring · Views · Waterfall · Wildflowers · Wildlife

Overview

A lovely loop through Cloudland Canyon State Park.

Need to Know

Complete lollipop trail is 5 miles.

Runner Notes

The steep cliffs, rocks, and roots found on the trail may pose a threat to trail runners.

Description

The West Rim Trail begins at the Cloudland Canyon State Park Interpretive Center. Gorgeous viewpoints including the Main Overlook can be accessed from here as well. Shortly after the trailhead, the .5-mile Waterfalls Trail will spur off to the right and head to, you guessed it, waterfalls. This is well worth the additional 1 mile round trip. To stay on the West Rim Trail, stay straight.

After a descent, visitors will cross a bridge over Daniel Creek and begin climbing up the west rim of the canyon. During the ascent, visitors will face a few switchbacks before reaching the top. Keep your eyes peeled, for two small caves large enough to fit one person can be spotted during the climb.

A little over a mile into the journey, the trail forks. Completing the loop in a clockwise formation allows visitors to first experience the wooded area atop the west rim, an area where massive quartz boulders are abundant. Soon after, the trail crosses a road and leads to the first overlook. This overlook, located on the northwest mouth of the canyon, offers amazing views 1,200 feet above Trenton and other small towns visible from the viewpoint.

As the trail continues, runners will pass the state park cabins and a numerous amount of stunning viewpoints overlooking Cloudland Canyon. Soon enough, the loop will complete leaving visitors to finish the final mile back to the trailhead at the Interpretive Center. The West Rim Trail at Cloudland Canyon State Park is a real gem in northwest Georgia, and is definitely worth your while.

Shared By:

Justin Brock with improvements by Rachel Burk and 1 other

Trail Ratings

  4.6 from 27 votes

#438

Overall
  4.6 from 27 votes
5 Star
70%
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3 Star
7%
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Recommended Route Rankings

#6

in Georgia

#438

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Photos

The remarkable Cloudland Canyon in Winter from one of the numerous overlooks on the West Rim Trail.
Jul 19, 2016 near Trenton, GA
The second of three waterfalls that can be seen just off the trailhead for the West Rim Loop trail. This one can be seen when hiking down into the gorge trail.
Mar 28, 2018 near Trenton, GA
Cherokee Falls
May 29, 2018 near Trenton, GA
Rim of the canyon
Sep 24, 2018 near Trenton, GA
Cloudland canyon - far view of small falls.
Mar 11, 2020 near Trenton, GA
View of falls.
Mar 11, 2020 near Trenton, GA
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Weather


Current Trail Conditions

Minor Issues 20 hours ago
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Check-Ins

Nov 19, 2018
Kevan H.
Started in wrong place. Missed second half of loop ran in dusk and dark with headlamp. Awesome!! 4mi
May 26, 2017
Corey Holt
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