Panther Creek Falls is among the most popular waterfall destinations in the Cohutta Wilderness, second only to Jacks River Falls. Steeply tumbling down a vast cliff, this 80-foot waterfall is especially spectacular in wet weather. A flat rock slab at the top of Panther Creek Falls affords a breathtaking westward vista toward the Conasauga River valley. It's an excellent place to watch the sunset if camping nearby. 

Panther Creek Falls can either be accessed from the Hickory Creek trailhead at the end of FR 630 or the Three Forks/East Cowpen Trailhead off FR 64. The hikes are 4.9 miles and 4.2 miles each way, respectively, meaning a long full-day excursion either way. I find the Hickory Creek approach more scenic due to its numerous views of the Conasauga River, Rough Creek, and Panther Creek. The elevation gain is also a little more gradual along this approach, but you will get wet feet. The final leg of the Panther Creek Trail leading up to the falls is a steep scramble up a vast boulder field, the only one of its kind along an official trail in Georgia.

For detailed directions, see page 42 in Mark Ozboyd's "Waterfalls of Georgia" guidebook.