From the rolling mountains within the north to the banks of the Savannah River system, Georgia provides just a few of the perfect hidden gems for mountain biking within the nation. The Peach State could also be finest recognized for its fuzzy fruit, however you’ll additionally discover a few of the sweetest trails within the South there.
If you’re fascinated with enhancing your expertise or biking with a gaggle, ensure you take a look at an area REI class or tour. Whether you’re planning a visit or are an area desirous to develop your horizons, listed below are just a few of Georgia’s finest mountain biking trails. You’ll have your selection of parks, and Georgia provides nice driving climate many of the yr, so make sure to take a look at as many trails as you’ll be able to or add them to your plan for the subsequent trip!
- Location: Ellijay
- Length: Loops from 10 to 60 miles
- Difficulty: Beginner to superior path choices
- Best For: Overnight, group journeys and clinics
Mulberry Gap basecamp was one of many first of its sort within the Southeast. Nestled within the mountains of north Georgia in Ellijay, this vacation spot is the perfect weekend getaway. You could make this spot your own home away from residence with its bunkhouse and several other tenting choices. There’s a cafeteria on the property, so that you don’t should carry your individual meals. Mulberry Gap provides a variety of choices for the solo rider, teams and households.
You can stack all of the miles of singletrack you need with a number of trails branching off by way of the forest. Create a number of completely different routes with the 60 miles of path accessible to trip by way of the gorgeous forest. If you don’t wish to spend all of your vitality peddling 13.5 miles again to the highest, Mulberry Gap provides shuttle companies that take you again to basecamp. If you wish to take a break from all of the downhill shredding, there are a number of gravel highway choices to get out on an journey within the lovely north Georgia mountains. Mulberry Gap provides a variety for all ranges and talents; additionally they supply workshops to extend your expertise and confidence on the bike.
Whether you need to join a workshop, schedule a weekend getaway with a gaggle of associates or carry the entire household for a weekend within the woods, Mulberry Gap has one thing for you. Gather your path associates and plan your subsequent out of doors keep right here.
- Location: Atlanta
- Length: 7 miles when accomplished
- Difficulty: Multiple path difficulties
- Best For: Convenience from downtown and the encompassing space
This path system has had an arduous journey to existence; a collaboration between many volunteer teams and authorities companies has created among the finest mountain biking experiences you’ll be able to have within the metro space. The Southside Park venture was the primary of its sort because the Atlanta Park System put in and maintains mountain bike trails across the metropolis. It took 4 years to design the grasp plan and break floor on the park, and is estimated to take one other 7–13 years to totally accomplish the dream. They have already opened one single-direction gravity path.
The Southside path system caters to a variety of ability ranges, from newbie to professional. There are a number of completely different trails that you could hyperlink collectively to have a “choose your own adventure.” It caters to all means ranges and is a superb place to go along with your loved ones. You can discover workday instances and path situations on the Atlanta Area SORBA (Southern Off-Road Bicycle Association) web site and Twitter feed. You can even discover volunteer info there, because the native SORBA maintains the attraction.
One final nice spotlight from Southside Park is the situation: It’s a simple drive from downtown. Whether you’re seeking to have an excellent trip after work or take a number of loops on the weekend, it is a good spot to let free and have enjoyable on the bike.
- Location: Dahlonega
- Length: 25.2 miles
- Difficulty: Intermediate
- Best For: Long distance on an IMBA Epic path
Jake and Bull Mountain Trail System is residence to Georgia’s solely IMBA-certified Epic path system. The International Mountain Biking Association designates Epic rides for true backcountry singletracks, permitting you to trip over 20 miles into the backcountry. These routes are chosen by fashionable vote from an inventory that has stringent necessities, making an Epic designation rarefied air for any path to achieve. One of the good issues about this certification is it virtually ensures a very good time and a beautiful trip.
You can park at both trailhead, which lets you take a 100-mile steady trip on singletrack with a few of the finest descents and technical climbs within the Southeast. It’s an excellent path for testing your expertise and constructing confidence or reaching the boundaries of your bike’s capabilities. Bring a gaggle of associates and bikepack from one mountain to the subsequent. You can camp within the park totally free as effectively, simply plan to register to your spot on the trailhead.
Take your time and benefit from the unimaginable scenic views, as a result of it is a must-do on the Georgia bucket listing. Whether you’re stopping for a water break or just to soak up the character round you, you received’t remorse the choice to trip right here. The trails are multiuse and are open to hikers and equestrians—nonetheless, they’re typically calmly used, so that you’ll often be by yourself.
- Location: Marietta
- Length: 3.2 miles
- Difficulty: Beginner-friendly
- Best For: A flat path, stream path beside a river
Cochran Shoals Park is the proper place for newbies and conveniently positioned within the Atlanta metro space. This system provides just a few completely different choices, relying on the trip you’re searching for. The trails embody a flat path of over 3 miles, flowing alongside the banks of the Chattahoochee River. Cochran Shoals is a superb place to take the household, particularly younger children who’re nonetheless studying and gaining confidence on the bike. They can take breaks and benefit from the river, whereas mother and father don’t have to fret about troublesome options.
This path is an area favourite for that lunchtime trip or getting in some miles after work. Thanks to lovely scenic views, you’re positive to benefit from the landscapes whereas getting some recent air. Since it is a fashionable multiuse spot, make sure to be careful for hikers and runners.
- Location: Near Trenton, subsequent door to fashionable Cloudland Canyon State Park
- Length: 20 miles of singletrack
- Difficulty: Intermediate
- Best For: Solitude throughout quiet components of the day
One of the good issues in regards to the Five Points Trail System is the chance to trip the connector from Cloudland Canyon Straight to Five Points for a few of the most enjoyable beginner- and intermediate-friendly trails within the state. Because it provides selection, this path system is nice for each the household and somebody desirous to attempt to add miles to their trip. The Five Points trails current the prospect to achieve your Strava private information on mileage, views and extra.
Since the path system is correct subsequent door to the state park, you may as well camp and luxuriate in different out of doors actions. Cloudland Canyon State Park provides many facilities, from fishing to disc golf and a enjoyable trip for the entire household. On the listing of trails to discover, Five Points is to not be missed.
- Location: Woodstock
- Length: Approximately 12 miles
- Difficulty: Multiple path difficulties
- Best For: Directional visitors, purpose-built for mountain bikes
Olde Rope Mill is a superb selection for any Atlanta-area rider. These trails have been constructed for mountain bikes, and there are 10 completely different loops to select from. With the river working by way of the center of the park, you’re by no means removed from a stupendous view—that’s, when you can concentrate on anything as you blast by way of the turns.
Since the paths at Olde Rope Mill are directional (the path of the path modifications relying on the day), riders ought to make sure to verify the map on the trailhead earlier than getting began, to be able to catch which path the path is working on every go to. Then make certain to return again one other time to attempt to grasp the path in the wrong way. This is a superb alternative to realize new Strava information and examine your instances on the completely different path instructions with different riders.
Olde Rope Mill is one other busy path system, so all the time ensure you’re watching the path forward of you for different customers. It’s enjoyable to construct your velocity and confidence, however security whereas having enjoyable is the highest precedence.
- Location: Canton
- Length: 15 miles of stream
- Difficulty: Beginner to intermediate
- Best For: The well-maintained, directional gravity path
Blankets Creek really provides a singular expertise for each rider, no matter ability or means. Most of its trails are directional, that means you comply with a single path and don’t run the danger of taking a flip into one other rider. But Blankets Creek additionally has a gravity path, which lets you take a look at your downhill expertise. The park is positioned solely half-hour from downtown Atlanta, and this path system enables you to get all the things out of your after-hours vibes out to your weekend epic path trip. You’ll be grinning from ear to ear as you rip by way of the bermed turns and leap from curler to curler.
Blankets Creek has one foremost path that’s 4.6-miles lengthy and several other smaller loops that make for countless choices. One of the perfect options of this park is how well-maintained the paths are: You received’t miss the ruts because the bike tires roll seamlessly alongside the bottom. Blankets Creek is a superb selection for newbie riders or households getting youngsters into biking. However, when you love the choice of jumps and clean rides, you’ll love these trails!
- Location: Near Augusta
- Length: 37 miles
- Difficulty: Beginner- to expert-friendly
- Best For: Routinely voted as one of many prime 10 trails within the nation
While this path isn’t fully in Georgia, since it’s proper outdoors of Augusta, riders within the state shouldn’t skip it. One of the perfect path methods within the nation, it’s been described as an countless pump monitor punctuated by rock gardens and different expert-level options. Forks Area Trail System (FATS) is recurrently voted as a prime 10 system within the nation by fashionable biking web sites, publications and customers alike.
FATS is made up of eight completely different trails and two distinct loops with a number of ranges of problem. The trails are a “choose your adventure game” irrespective of your ability stage. You can trip 37 miles of path with out seeing the identical stretch twice—a uncommon function within the Southeast. While most of the trails we’ve talked about supply a number of loops and trails, Forks Area is a one-of-a-kind expertise.
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