ATLANTA -- "Wow."

You can't help but say it when you first see Cloudland Canyon, the crown jewel of Georgia state parks. Two and half hours northwest of Atlanta, Cloudland is a place you never thought existed in Georgia; a place of high adventure, unexpected majesty and peaceful serenity far away from the hustle and bustle of Metro Atlanta. If you need a great escape but want to stay close to home, Cloudland Canyon is the perfect, inexpensive choice.

To describe the canyon as breathtaking would do it an injustice. The 3500 acre park winds along the rim of a deep gorge cut out of the western side of Lookout Mountain eons ago by Sutton Gulch Creek which still splashes its way along the narrow and rocky bottom. The canyon varies in depth from 800 to nearly 2000 feet and features spectacular vistas of exposed shale and sandstone as well as the wide valley beyond.

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SLIDESHOW: Cloudland Canyon Adventure

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My wife and I decided to take a day trip there one Sunday to do some hiking, and we were not disappointed. Cloudland gave us a couple of exhilarating (and exhausting) hikes. But the best part is that you don't have to be a hiker to enjoy the majestic vistas. The best views in the whole park are easily accessible to the main parking and picnic areas. Just a few steps down a sidewalk, and you're enjoying the remarkable views of the deep canyon and wide valley beyond. If you're lucky, you might catch a glimpse of a red-tailed hawk soaring on the thermals through the gorge. It's a great place to bring the family, but remember, there is a small fee to enter. We bought a year-long pass to all of Georgia's parks earlier this year. It's already paid for itself.

I'll admit it. The hikes were tough. Just before starting, we were met by a large sign that immediately issued a series of warnings, warnings all hikers better heed. "Stay on the trail", it warns. Parts of the West Rim Trail go right up to the edge of precipices, and there are no guard rails except at overlook points. One wrong or stupid step, and you could find yourself falling a very long way. It's absolutely safe, so long as you follow the rules. Also, the sign warns that the hikes, especially the descent into the canyon itself, are exhausting. It isn't exaggerating.

The 4.8-mile West Rim Trail circles along the edge of the canyon, providing remarkable views. The trail itself is rocky and often full of tough tree roots, so wear some stout shoes or hiking boots. It'll make the journey a little easier.

We ran into Smyrna resident Arin Dove and his wife Celeste enjoying the views along the West Rim Trail. It was his first time at Cloudland, too. "Celeste has been talking about it since I've known her, and we just decided this is where we were going to come today." Dove says he's hiked all over Georgia, but puts Cloudland at the top of the list. "I love it. This is awesome. Out of all the places that I've been to hike in North Georgia, this by far blows them all away."

If you hike the West Rim, be sure to take lots of water and a snack or two. You'll need a little refresher from time to time. And be sure to bring a camera. You'll be snapping photos every few feet. There are some inclines along the way, but nothing you can't handle, and the vistas are definitely worth the effort.

Before that trail (or after, if you like), you can veer off and hike to the bottom of the canyon itself and see one of the two majestic waterfalls. It's not very far down, but be forewarned: there are 600 steps to the bottom (and those same 600 steps coming back up). It's mostly metal stairs and wood decking, so the path itself is safe, and there are plenty of benches along the way to rest, including one underneath a massive stone boulder. The bottom of the gorge is an almost magical place of splashing waterfalls, babbling brooks and secret pools. It's so quiet under those rocks and mountain laurels, youll want to take a nap.

"I would definitely encourage folks to get out of the hustle and bustle and come here to relax," says former Stockbridge resident Brad Campbell. He and his girlfriend Leah Miller hiked to the bottom to read books by one of the secret pools. "I love to come out here and just relax and get away, read books and enjoy nature."

Like any place worth adventuring, Cloudland is not an easy place to get to.

It's located in the extreme northwestern notch of Georgia, just a stone's throw from both the Tennessee and Alabama borders. In fact, the easiest way to get there from Atlanta is north up I-75 into Tennessee, then west on I-24 through Chattanooga, then south on I-59 back down into Georgia. Get off at exit 11 at Trenton and follow the signs. For more information on Cloudland Canyon or any other Georgia state park, simply log on to their website: www.gastateparks.org.