 This great spring weather almost begs you to get outside and enjoy it, and most of us are taking advantage of it and doing just that. One way to enjoy the outdoors is to get away from the sights and sounds of everyday life and disappear into the deep woods, where the only sounds you hear are those of the forest. If one of those sounds is that of running water, it makes for an even better experience. Here are two of the best places to find that kind of tranquility. Raven Cliff Falls is probably the nicest hiking trail in the state for a number of reasons. It is an easy trail to walk, fairly level most of the way, and just the right distance at five miles round trip. The trail follows Dodd Creek for the entire distance, as it cascades it’s way downhill from the falls. The greenery is lush, as it often is around a stream, with mountain laurel and rhododendron growing on both sides of the trail, forming a canopy in places. This is a trail where you can just take your time and enjoy every step. At the cliffs, the waterfall drops through a grotto to valley floor and continues its journey downstream. There is a trail to the top of the cliffs where you can view the valley from above. Bring lunch and drinks because you will probably want to stay awhile. Kids and dogs will enjoy playing in the stream, and adults can relax and enjoy the scenery. Raven Cliff Falls is located a few miles outside Helen. Closer to home, Sweetwater Creek State Park offers a similar experience. The park has six miles of trails, but most people stick to the two trails that lead to the ruins of the old textile mill and to the waterfall. The Red Trail follows the creek while the Blue Trail moves away from the stream and winds through the woods. The two trails connect at the ruins and at the waterfall, and can be combined to make a three-mile loop. From the parking area, the Red Trail leads to the creek, then stays alongside it the rest of the way. At first the river is still and quiet, but soon it breaks over a low dam and begins to cascade over the shoals the rest of the way. From the ruins the Red Trail continues along the creek, but the footing gets trickier as you get close to the falls, and requires climbing over and through large rock outcroppings. The falls is no Niagara but it is worth the walk. The Blue Trail begins with a climb up the side of a hill, then becomes a nice walk through the woods back to the ruins and the trailhead. We have longer descriptions and directions to both Raven Cliff Falls and Sweetwater Creek.
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