Chasing waterfalls only a short drive from the noise of Atlanta

It’s an easy hike to Toonigh Creek Falls at Woodstock’s Olde Rope Mill Park. 

I’m always looking for a chance to escape the traffic and noise of Atlanta and sit among nature where the only sounds are running water, leaves flickering in a breeze and maybe the voices of children playing. A gorgeous fall day provided the perfect opportunity.

Located only 30 minutes from Atlanta, I was amazed to find an easy hike to a lovely waterfall just outside the town of Woodstock—and it’s quickly accessible off Interstate 575. The trail begins at the multi-use Olde Rope Mill Park. The parking lot faces Little River where visitors may canoe/kayak from the launch, fish, picnic or just enjoy the passive waters (we saw dogs having a ball). A little ways upriver and you’ll find the ruins of Rope Mill where cotton ropes were produced in the 1800s.

The Park is home to the Taylor Randahl Memorial Mountain Bike Trails so it’s a favorite of mountain bikers but many other trails are perfect for day hikes, including one to Toonigh Creek Falls. Head across the bridge and hike straight through the woods and you’ll eventually spot a parking lot. Before the lot, take a left at the gate (not hard to step over) and follow the road that runs under I-575 and along Little River with occasional blue ribbons to guide you.

It’s about a mile from here to the waterfall and you’ll cross through a sand mine that appears to be active—although we weren’t sure.

Then, thankfully, things start to quiet down. No more interstate noise, no more commercial activity, just trees and water! Keep following the river until the trail moves up and away from Little River and you’ll find a road at the top. Head right (keep looking for those blue ribbons) and you’ll begin to hear rushing water. It’s not far and difficult to find Toonigh Creek Falls at this point.

The entire hike to the falls and back again is approximately 4 miles.

Toonigh Creek empties into Lake Allatoona, not far away, and travels over a rock outcrop to produce a series of falls that pool into a shallow area. It’s perfect for a summer splash (be careful, it’s slippery) or a spot to meditate and listen to the calming rush of water. The water’s cold but on a hot Georgia summer day feels refreshing. We recently visited on a warm autumn afternoon and the foliage as backdrop made for stunning photos.

About Woodstock

Woodstock offers visitors a vibrant downtown and arts scene with numerous restaurants, the Reformation Brewery and boutique shopping, many owned by local residents.

For outdoor enthusiasts, it’s a dream destination.

Woodstock contains more than 20 miles of walking trails throughout the city, there’s that kayaking we mentioned on Little River at Olde Rope Mill Park with access to nearby Lake Allatoona, and the Noonday Creek Trail that begins at Woodstock Arts behind the brewery and runs southward along Noonday Creek towards Hwy. 92. A highlight of the Noonday trail is the Woofstock Dog Park at the Towne Lake Pass Bridge where visitors may spot wildlife besides the canine variety. The Noonday Creek Trail is being extended and will connect Woodstock and Cherokee County’s trail systems to neighboring Cobb County’s trail network. Officials hope to eventually connect the Noonday Creek Trail to Cobb’s entrance to the Silver Comet Trail, a 61.5-mile popular bike and hiking trail that extends all the way to Alabama.

Woodstock offers several other parks with trails, such as the Rubes Creek multi-use trail and the bike skills trail at Dupree Park, among others. It’s all part of the city’s Greenprints Project master plan, which calls for 60-plus miles of trail and open space network throughout the City of Woodstock.

“What I love so much about Woodstock is that it’s always focused on making sure these green areas are connected, accessible, and continue to grow,” said Ingrid Smith, marketing manager for Visit Woodstock.

But that’s not all. Woodstock just announced its newest upcoming addition, the 110-acre Little River Park. And within a short drive are outdoors attractions such as Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park with its miles of trails, Lake Allatoona and Red Top Mountain State Park and Gibbs Gardens in nearby Ball Ground.

If you go

To reach Old Rope Mill Park from Atlanta, head north on Interstate 75, then northeast on I-575. Exit at Ridgewalk Parkway (the Outlet Shoppes at Atlanta) and turn right on to the parkway, then immediately left on to Old Rope Mill Park Road. The road ends at the park.

Woodstock offers a variety of lodging options (a downtown hotel is in the works!), spectacular dining experiences, shopping and more. For information on annual events and year-round happenings such as walking tours, seasonal markets, festivals, concerts and more, visit VisitWoodstockGA.com/events/ or stop at the Woodstock Visitors Center at Dean’s Store (Woodstock Visitors Center at Dean’s Store, 8588 Main St., Woodstock; 770-924-0406) located in downtown Woodstock.

Weird, Wacky & WIld South is written by travel writer Cheré Coen, who writes paranormal mysteries under the pen name of Cherie Claire. Check out her latest travel-inspired mystery "Ghost Lights."