The Tallulah Falls Railroad was instrumental in opening up the Northeast Georgia Mountains to the outside world. The TFRR brought industry and trade to the region and allowed fortunes to be made in the capitalization of local natural resources such as timber and water. On its route through some of the state‘s most scenic natural environments, the Tallulah Falls Railroad would become legendary in hearts and minds of vacationers who flocked to resorts and attractions that grew up along the edge of Tallulah Gorge during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. In later years, with the popular rise of the automobile and road design technologies of the 1950s, the old railroad continued to ply its route losing money with each passing year.  The legacy of the Tallulah Falls Railroad lives today in countless books, film, and documentaries. The re-utilization of its historic route would secure its place in history for generations to come and reestablish ties between the communities it served once again.

To preserve the scenic and historic value of the Tallulah Falls Railroad corridor to provide a cultural amenity for locals and tourists alike, to support the outdoor recreation industries in the region and encourage healthier lifestyles for area residents, and to use the trail to connect destinations along the corridor to develop a true transportation route. 

The general mission of this effort is to preserve the scenic and historic value of the Tallulah Fall Railroad corridor while providing a cultural amenity for locals and tourists alike. The physical product of this mission envisions a linear park, or greenway, around a trail viable for walking, jogging and biking. The hope is for the trail to feature high quality trailheads for accessibility and connections with other local recreational trails. There is also the intent of using the trail to connect destinations along the corridor and develop a role as a true transportation route. This would also enhance the corridor‘s ability to function as both a means of connectivity between destinations but also serve as a recreational destination itself. A completed trail would serve as a tremendous attraction for locals and tourist, supporting the outdoor recreation industries in the region and encouraging healthier lifestyles for area residents. The vision is to redevelop the entire Tallulah Falls Railroad corridor in Rabun and Habersham Counties, a length of some 42 miles. While the intent will be to maintain as much of the original railroad corridor as possible, the final route of the trail and greenway will likely include segments that veer from the original railroad bed due to obstructions, proximity to roads or other hazards and development costs. There are aspirations for extending the trail and greenway to the railroad‘s original terminus in Franklin, NC, and there will be long-term consideration for extending the corridor south should the means and demands permit