From the rolling mountains within the north to the banks of the Savannah River system, Georgia presents 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 number of the sweetest trails within the South there.
If you’re all for enhancing your abilities or biking with a bunch, ensure you try a neighborhood REI class or tour. Whether you’re planning a visit or are a neighborhood desirous to increase your horizons, listed here are just a few of Georgia’s finest mountain biking trails. You’ll have your alternative of parks, and Georgia presents nice using climate many of the 12 months, so be sure you try as many trails as you’ll be able to or add them to your plan for the following experience!
- 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 variety within the Southeast. Nestled within the mountains of north Georgia in Ellijay, this vacation spot is the best 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 need to convey your personal meals. Mulberry Gap presents a spread 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 the forest. Create a number of completely different routes with the 60 miles of path out there to experience by the attractive forest. If you don’t wish to spend all of your vitality peddling 13.5 miles again to the highest, Mulberry Gap presents shuttle providers 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 street choices to get out on an journey within the lovely north Georgia mountains. Mulberry Gap presents a spread for all ranges and skills; additionally they supply workshops to extend your abilities and confidence on the bike.
Whether you need to join a workshop, schedule a weekend getaway with a bunch of pals or convey the entire household for a weekend within the woods, Mulberry Gap has one thing for you. Gather your path pals 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 businesses has created among the best mountain biking experiences you’ll be able to have within the metro space. The Southside Park venture was the primary of its variety 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 completely accomplish the dream. They have already opened one single-direction gravity path.
The Southside path system caters to a variety of talent ranges, from newbie to knowledgeable. There are a number of completely different trails that you would be able to hyperlink collectively to have a “choose your own adventure.” It caters to all capacity ranges and is a good place to go along with your loved ones. You can discover workday occasions 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 placement: It’s a straightforward drive from downtown. Whether you’re trying to have an excellent experience after work or take a number of loops on the weekend, this can be a excellent 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 experience over 20 miles into the backcountry. These routes are chosen by standard vote from an inventory that has stringent necessities, making an Epic designation rarefied air for any path to succeed in. One of the nice issues about this certification is it nearly ensures time and an exquisite experience.
You can park at both trailhead, which lets you take a 100-mile steady experience on singletrack with a number of the finest descents and technical climbs within the Southeast. It’s an excellent path for testing your abilities and constructing confidence or reaching the bounds of your bike’s capabilities. Bring a bunch of pals and bikepack from one mountain to the following. You can camp within the park free of charge as nicely, simply plan to register on your spot on the trailhead.
Take your time and benefit from the unimaginable scenic views, as a result of this can be a must-do on the Georgia bucket listing. Whether you’re stopping for a water break or just to absorb the character round you, you received’t remorse the choice to experience right here. The trails are multiuse and are open to hikers and equestrians—nevertheless, they’re typically frivolously used, so that you’ll normally be by yourself.
- Location: Marietta
- Length: 3.2 miles
- Difficulty: Beginner-friendly
- Best For: A flat path, circulation path beside a river
Cochran Shoals Park is the proper place for inexperienced persons and conveniently positioned within the Atlanta metro space. This system presents just a few completely different choices, relying on the experience 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 good place to take the household, particularly younger youngsters 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 a neighborhood favourite for that lunchtime experience 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 this can be a standard multiuse spot, be sure you be careful for hikers and runners.
- Location: Near Trenton, subsequent door to standard Cloudland Canyon State Park
- Length: 20 miles of singletrack
- Difficulty: Intermediate
- Best For: Solitude throughout quiet components of the day
One of the nice issues concerning the Five Points Trail System is the chance to experience the connector from Cloudland Canyon Straight to Five Points for a number of the most enjoyable beginner- and intermediate-friendly trails within the state. Because it presents selection, this path system is nice for each the household and somebody desirous to attempt to add miles to their experience. The Five Points trails current the possibility to succeed in your Strava private information on mileage, views and extra.
Since the path system is correct subsequent door to the state park, you can even camp and revel in different out of doors actions. Cloudland Canyon State Park presents 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 good alternative 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 the center of the park, you’re by no means removed from a lovely view—that’s, for those who can deal with the rest as you blast by the turns.
Since the paths at Olde Rope Mill are directional (the course of the path modifications relying on the day), riders ought to be sure you examine the map on the trailhead earlier than getting began, to be able to catch which course the path is working on every go to. Then ensure that to return again one other time to attempt to grasp the path in the wrong way. This is a good alternative to attain new Strava information and evaluate your occasions on the completely different path instructions with different riders.
Olde Rope Mill is one other busy path system, so at all times 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 circulation
- Difficulty: Beginner to intermediate
- Best For: The well-maintained, directional gravity path
Blankets Creek really presents a singular expertise for each rider, no matter talent or capacity. Most of its trails are directional, that means you observe a single course 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 check your downhill abilities. The park is positioned solely half-hour from downtown Atlanta, and this path system helps you to get all the things out of your after-hours vibes out to your weekend epic path experience. You’ll be grinning from ear to ear as you rip by the bermed turns and bounce from curler to curler.
Blankets Creek has one primary path that’s 4.6-miles lengthy and several other smaller loops that make for infinite 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 good alternative for newbie riders or households getting kids into biking. However, for those who love the choice of jumps and easy 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 high 10 trails within the nation
While this path isn’t solely in Georgia, since it’s proper exterior 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 infinite pump observe punctuated by rock gardens and different expert-level options. Forks Area Trail System (FATS) is recurrently voted as a high 10 system within the nation by standard 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” regardless of your talent degree. You can experience 37 miles of path with out seeing the identical stretch twice—a uncommon function within the Southeast. While lots of the trails we’ve talked about supply a number of loops and trails, Forks Area is a one-of-a-kind expertise.