Hernando Falls is the first of several waterfalls located above Upper DeSoto Falls on the same tributary of Frogtown Creek. About 15 feet high, Hernando Falls tumbles over a broad vertical cliff. The waterfalls above Upper DeSoto Falls lie strictly off-trail in very steep, rugged terrain. Leaving the official trail in this vicinity is highly discouraged by the Forest Service. Injuries have occurred from climbing around the waterfalls, and explicitly climbing Upper DeSoto Falls is prohibited. Accessing Hernando Falls is only for nimble cross-country hikers with strong off-trail scrambling experience. 

To learn about more waterfalls in the Dahlonega area, see chapter 5 in Mark Ozboyd's "Waterfalls of Georgia" guidebook.