Accessibility – Easy+
Height – 16′
Distance – 0.8 miles (out and back)
Beauty – 3
Photo rating – 3
Solitude – 5
GPS Info: LAT 34.92486 LONG -83.08227
Last Updated – 12-28-2024
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Where to park: The quickest route to Secret Falls starts at the lower trailhead for the Winding Stairs Trail, which is on Cheohee Road. There is ample parking at 34.92234, -83.0775.
The hike: The Winding Stairs Trail leaves from the parking area but that’s not the way to Lower Crane Creek Falls. With the Winding Stairs trailhead on your right, walk along Cheohee Road toward the first switchback and before crossing over Crane Creek, follow the obvious route into the woods. From where you leave the road to the base of the falls is around 0.25 of a mile. The route is pretty obvious, and unless someone cleaned it up since my visit, the falls isn’t much to look at. A pile of fallen trees were lying on it and appeared to have been there for some time. It’s not really worth a special trip, but if you’re going to Secret Falls or hiking the Winding Stairs Trail, it makes a nice addition.
