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Elevation: 1,427 ft
GPS: 34.73997, -83.39307
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Shared By: saxfiend on Dec 15, 2006 · Updates
Admins: Luke Cornejo, saxfiend
Warning Access Issue: Climbing Permit Needed-Seasonal Raptor Closure DetailsDrop down

Description Suggest change

When you're ready for superb trad climbing in Georgia, you may be ready for Tallulah Gorge. Don't let the touristy Interpretive Center fool you -- when you leave the parking lot and hit the trail into the gorge, you're in wild country and serious climbing territory. This is not a place for beginners or toproping; apart from a handful of moderate lines, the routes at Tallulah are hard multi-pitch trad or mixed aid/trad. The rock is high-quality quartzite, the scenery is beautiful and the exposure will raise your pulse rate.

Because this is a state park, activities other than climbing sometimes take precedence. There are periodic weekend water releases from the dam to facilitate white-water kayaking competitions, at which time Tallulah Gorge is closed to climbing. Unfortunately, these closures are in late fall and early spring, which is prime time for climbing here (like other south-facing crags, Tallulah is not a great summer destination). So wait until kayaking season is over or take a day off during the week. The park will issue a maximum of 20 climbing permits per day, but it is almost unheard of for this limit to be met; Tallulah Gorge is never crowded.

Camping is available on the grounds of the park.

*In October 2022, two climbers had a mishap and were temporarily stranded on a route until roughly 9:00 P.M.. They were charged with criminal trespassing despite having a permit.*

Getting There Suggest change

From Atlanta, head north on I-85, then exit to I-985 north. Follow 985 to where it ends, then continue north on US 441 to Tallulah Falls. Cross a bridge that is the dam to the Tallulah River, then watch for the Tallulah Gorge State Park Interpretive Center and turn right into the center. Pay the parking fee, then go to the main building and fill out a climber's permit.

56 Total Climbs

Route Finder - Best Climbs for YOU!

Location: Tallulah Gorge Change
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Classic Climbing Routes at Tallulah Gorge

Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c
 57
Digital Delight
Trad 4 pitches
5.8+ 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c
 55
Mescaline Daydream
Trad 2 pitches
5.9+ 5c 17 VI 17 E1 5a
 35
Primitive Paradox
Trad 2 pitches
5.10b 6a+ 19 VII- 19 E2 5b
 32
Punk Wave
Trad 3 pitches
5.10 6b 20 VII- 19 E2 5b
 30
Flying Frog
Trad
5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b R
 6
Highly Wired
Trad 2 pitches
5.10c/d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b
 11
The Diagonal
Trad 2 pitches
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c
 9
Rapture of the Steep
Trad
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c
 5
Copperhead Row
Trad
5.11 6c+ 23 VIII- 23 E4 5c
 4
Psilocin Nightmare
Trad
5.11b/c 6c+ 23 VIII- 24 E4 6a
 10
BT Express
Trad
5.11b/c 6c+ 23 VIII- 24 E4 6a
 4
Autumn Gold
Trad
5.11+ 7a 24 VIII 24 E4 6a
 4
Creatures Void Of Form
Trad 2 pitches
5.11d 7a 24 VIII 25 E5 6a
 4
Astro-Geodesy
Trad
5.12- 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a
 4
Butthole Surfers
Trad
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
Digital Delight Main Wall
 57
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c Trad 4 pitches
Mescaline Daydream Main Wall
 55
5.8+ 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c Trad 2 pitches
Primitive Paradox Main Wall
 35
5.9+ 5c 17 VI 17 E1 5a Trad 2 pitches
Punk Wave Main Wall
 32
5.10b 6a+ 19 VII- 19 E2 5b Trad 3 pitches
Flying Frog Main Wall
 30
5.10 6b 20 VII- 19 E2 5b Trad
Highly Wired Main Wall
 6
5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b R Trad 2 pitches
The Diagonal Main Wall
 11
5.10c/d 6b+ 21 VII+ 21 E3 5b Trad 2 pitches
Rapture of the Steep Main Wall
 9
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c Trad
Copperhead Row Main Wall
 5
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c Trad
Psilocin Nightmare Main Wall
 4
5.11 6c+ 23 VIII- 23 E4 5c Trad
BT Express Main Wall
 10
5.11b/c 6c+ 23 VIII- 24 E4 6a Trad
Autumn Gold Main Wall
 4
5.11b/c 6c+ 23 VIII- 24 E4 6a Trad
Creatures Void Of Form Main Wall
 4
5.11+ 7a 24 VIII 24 E4 6a Trad 2 pitches
Astro-Geodesy Main Wall
 4
5.11d 7a 24 VIII 25 E5 6a Trad
Butthole Surfers Main Wall
 4
5.12- 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a Trad
More Classic Climbs in Tallulah Gorge »

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