The 10 Best Mountain Bike Trails In Georgia
Although Georgia may not have the vast trails system that other states have, it has plenty of gems that make it a worthwhile destination.
Many of these trails are located in the northern part of the state. This includes such trails as Mulberry Gap, and Blankets Creek.
Most of the mountain biking experiences in Georgia take place in the state’s lush and heavily wooded areas. Trails here are mostly flowy with moderate climbs.
While many of these trails may not offer the views of trail systems in other states, the lush green hardwood forests of Georgia bring a different kind of beauty to enjoy.
And, given that summers can be harsh in America’s South, they also provide much-appreciated shade that makes mountain biking tolerable even in the heat of the summer.
While many of the better-known mountain biking destinations in the country shut down in the winter as snow arrives, no such problems exist in this Deep South state.
Mountain biking in Georgia is rarely threatened by snow and can be enjoyed year-round.
Here are 10 of the best mountain bike trails in Georgia.
1. Mulberry Gap, Chatsworth
Mulberry Gap is one of those collections of trails that MTBers commonly refer to as a hub, which is a large network of trails. And Mulberry Gap’s is impressive, with miles of trails all throughout the surrounding forest.
A favorite is the Bear Creek – Pinhoti 1 – Pinhoti 2 loop, which covers 20 miles of well worn intermediate singletrack. This route will challenge your climbing skills with an ascent that covers some five miles with grades reaching 13 degrees.
Like other popular MTB hubs in the U.S., Mulberry Gap is more than just a collection of trails, it also has a backcountry resort feel complete with rentable cabin, food, and craft beer.
2. Blankets Creek Full Tour, Holly Springs
Located just 35 miles north of Atlanta, Blankets Creek is one of the more popular trails in the Atlanta area. The system is organized into three loops that get progressively harder. For the total experience, take the full tour.
The 12.3-mile loop is well set-up with relatively easy flowy trails to start out before getting progressively harder and more technical. The trail saves its best for last with Quehl Holler, a full-on gravity downhill completed with high berms, wooden features, and plenty of jumps.
Be prepared for the giant wooden berm on this section.
3. Chicopee Woods
One of Georgia’s older mountain biking trails systems having been started in the early 1990s, Chicopee woods offers some 21 miles of singletrack. These well-maintained trails can be linked together for a full tour.
Start with the system’s easiest trail, the Tortoise as a warmup. This beginner’s trail is mostly free of rocks and roots with little elevation change. Then gradually buildup, hitting the flowy Flying Squirrel and technical Coyote before finishing with the Copperhead, Chicopee’s most difficult trail.
Highlights include several creek crossings and a waterfall. Chicopee is easily accessible, located just northeast of Atlanta.
4. All-A-Toona Loop, Acworth
Located in the Allatoona Forest, this loop presents a tour of the trails in this system. Altogether, it’s one of the more challenging rides in the state.
You’ll find a mix of trail types, ranging from the flowy single track on Mumbo Jumbo to the more technical Voodoo, which features steep climbs and descents, rock features, and log crossings.
There’s also a difficult creek crossing to contend with. All combined, this loop eclipses 30 miles, the vast majority of which is single track. This makes the All-A-Toona loop one of the longest you can do in Georgia.
5. Taylor Randahl Memorial Park
A great collection of very well-maintained MTB trails can be found at this modest mountain biking park in Northwest Georgia. Taylor Randahl features three loops totaling 14 miles of trails with Avalanche being the longest and most difficult with some technical features.
This trail features some technical riding. Check out the gravity drops and boulder crossing on Loop Two of the Avalanche trail.
If you’re looking for flow and speed, hit the park’s newest additions, the Mill Trails, of which there are three.
Check out the Powerhouse, which features several major jumps and some optional lines for technical rock gardens.
6. Bull and Jake Mountain, Dahlonega
The lone IMBA Epic in Georgia, the trails at Bull and Jake mountains will throw a little bit of everything at you; stream crossings, fast downhills, technical descents. Bull’s upper section is packed red clay with plenty of Whoop-De-Dos.
The bottom section is more technical with rootier and rockier terrain. Pair Bull Mountain with Jake Mountain to complete the IMBA Epic.
Jake starts with a brief climb followed by a fast descent to Jones Creek. Too deep to ride through, you’ll need to dismount, remove your mtb shoes and socks, then ford the river with your bike slung on your shoulder.
Epic indeed.
7. Sope Creek, Vinings
You won’t find much in the way of technical riding at Sope Creek. Its singletrack is wide, hard-packed, and smooth, making it a fast and furious run.
Its nine miles of trails are broken up into two loops. The top loop is about two miles long with little elevation change, while the bottom loop is roughly seven miles of flowy and wide singletrack with a few moderate climbs and rocky sections to navigate.
You’ll need to check your speed as you fly through both loops as Sope is also a popular destination for hikers. With its location in the Atlanta-metro area, Sope is a popular set of urban MTB trails.
8. Stanley Gap, Blue Ridge
There aren’t a whole lot of places to find challenging climbs in Georgia, but Stanley Gap is one of them. About six miles into this rugged trail you’ll face a tough nearly three-mile ascent to the top of Rocky Mountain.
You’ll bag nearly 1,200 feet of climbing in this rocky and rooty section while facing grades as high as 14 degrees for much of the way.
Once on top, you won’t be rewarded with great views as this trail is heavily wooded, but you will be treated to a thrilling but technical 2-mile 1,000-foot descent back into the gap.
9. Windy Gap Trail, Chatsworth
The fact that this is a dual-use trail for both mountain bikers and motorcycles should give you a hint as to what you’re dealing with here. The trail begins with some tight singletrack at the top before widening out to doubletrack.
Amazing views of the surrounding mountains abound but don’t spend too much time taking them in as this descent has plenty of huge jumps and massive berms to contend with. You can get some serious air on this trail.
For a real challenge, treat this as an out and back and start with a difficult climb. Not up for a climb?
Then take a shuttle to the top.
