Start with a view and end with a series of waterfalls and cascades on the Dukes Creek Falls Trail near Helen, Georgia. This easy 2.5-mile hike is a great option for the whole family and the dog. If you're looking for solitude, however, skip this one as it's one of the more popular hikes in the area. And be sure to also check out Raven Cliff Falls, another popular hiking destination just a mile up the highway.

As a popular hike, the parking lot can fill up fast on nice weekends, so plan on getting to this one early. Before you hit the trail, check out the view of Yonah Mountain behind the restrooms. The trail begins to the right of the restrooms or at the parking on the right of the entrance at the group of picnic tables.

The first short section of trail is paved, leading to a boardwalk with an observation platform for Dukes Creek Falls. Although you can see the falls from here, it's a ways off and the surrounding trees make it a very limited view. Continuing past here, the trail turns to a more traditional dirt path.

At at third of a mile you'll come to Dukes Creek and turn left, following the sign. To the right, the trail heads closer to the creek if you want to do some exploring. Following the trail, the creek slowly drops down below. There are a few views through the trees along this section of more waterfalls along the creek. At .9 miles the trail switchbacks again, following the sign to the right. The trail gets steeper now as it heads down to the falls.

The trail ends at a long boardwalk that leads to two observation decks. From these you'll be able to enjoy views of the many falls and cascades at the joining of Dukes and Davis creeks. Even at 150 feet, Dukes Creek Falls loses most of its volume and power as it cascades down the steep rocky hillside. With the more powerful smaller waterfalls, cascades, and rapids along the observation deck, the named falls gets lost in the hubbub of activity along the creek.