5 of the best mountain bike trails in Georgia

It’s been nearly ten years since Singletracks first published our list of the five best mountain bike trails in Georgia. While some of the classic North Georgia rides in the Chattahoochee National Forest remain at the top of our list, there’s also a crop of new, high-quality trail systems you don’t want to miss.

Putting this list together was no small task; I’ve lived in Georgia for more than three decades, and it’s hard to pick favorites among friends!

Bearhoti, Ellijay

“Bearhoti” refers to a popular loop in the Chattahoochee National Forest that combines the Bear Creek Trail with sections one and two of the Pinhoti Trail for an 18.5-mile loop with 1,800ft of climbing and descending. Many riders will choose to start and end at Mulberry Gap Adventure Basecamp, where campsites and lodging are available. Shuttles are available through Mulberry Gap as well.

Most riders will climb via a gravel road to the start of the Bear Creek trail descent. The trail features mountain stream crossings, though otherwise it’s not very steep or technical. The Pinhoti sections roll through the forest and feature a couple more climbs, though they’re much shorter than the climb up to the Bear Creek trail.

Allatoona Creek Park, Kennesaw

Allatoona Creek Park is technically located within the Metro Atlanta area, which makes it a popular destination. But it’s the quality and variety of the trails at Allatoona Creek — and the quantity — that makes this a top choice. MTB Atlanta calls it “Georgia’s largest purpose-built mountain bike trail system,” which makes it a must-ride.

With 30+ miles of singletrack ranging from flowy and fast to rocky and rooty, plus jump lines and a Velosolutions pump track, there’s something for everyone. MTB Atlanta and Cobb County Parks put on a race each year called the Voodoo Race aka ALL-a-Toona, usually around the summer solstice, which is a great way to ride nearly all of the trails in a single day! Bonus: the trails at Allatoona Creek Park are open to electric mountain bikes.

Bull and Jake Mountain, Dahlonega

Mountain bikers, including yours truly, have been riding at Bull Mountain since at least the 1990s, and it’s the only official IMBA Epic in the state. The trails, located in the Chattahoochee National Forest, are remote and physically challenging, though the trails are generally smooth and never very steep. Combining the trails at Bull and Jake Mountain, riders can put together an epic 30-mile loop with about 2,000ft of climbing.

Standing Boy, Columbus

The Standing Boy trail system, located north of Columbus along the banks of Lake Oliver, opened in the fall of 2019, and today the trail system boasts more than 20 miles of singletrack trails rated from beginner to expert. The trail system’s gravity zone, complete with jumps and rock features, was expanded earlier this year. And unlike the Forest Service trails on this list, the trails at Standing Boy are open to Class 1 eMTBs.

Aska Road Trail System, Blue Ridge

The Aska Road trails, located just outside Blue Ridge, GA, offer a good mix of beginner-friendly and more advanced descents. Stanley Gap is popular thanks to its steep and fast terrain, with occasional rocky and rooty tech sections. This trail is generally ridden as an out-and-back, and the climb is not for the faint of heart.

The Flat Creek trail is another must-ride in the Aska Road network. Riders tend to overlook this short inner loop, but on a recent ride there, I was blown away by just how fast and fun the trail is. In fact, it’s easily one of my favorite descents in Georgia.

Across Aska Road from the Stanley Gap and Flat Creek trails, the Green Mountain area offers more beginner-friendly trails with shorter climbs and glimpses of Lake Blue Ridge.

More notable trail systems

Here are a few additional trails in Georgia that are noteworthy for offering unique styles of riding.

Jarrod’s Place in Summerville is the only privately owned, shuttle-served bike park in Georgia. The park offers a mix of big jumps, berms, and tabletops, plus steep and natural trails higher on the mountain. There’s a full-service bike shop and camping on site, too.

Mountaintown Creek gets my vote for the most beautiful and remote mountain bike trail in the state. After riding the Mountaintown Creek trail in 2016, I proclaimed it my “new favorite trail in Georgia,” in part because of the backcountry beauty but also for the steep and technical nature of the descent, which drops about 1,500 feet in five miles (almost 1,000 feet in just the first two miles). Accessing the trail isn’t easy, and for that reason, the trail sees few riders. It’s raw, rugged, and rad.

Beyond Bearhoti, the rest of the Pinhoti Trail runs for 100+ miles across the northwest side of the state, with popular day-trip segments found near Chatsworth and Dalton. The Snake Creek Gap section is famous for an annual time trial held there each year, and riders will find dozens of miles to ride at the Dry Creek trail area at Armuchee Gap. The Trans North Georgia bikepacking race, held each August, makes extensive use of the Pinhoti trail.

Your turn: What’s your favorite mountain bike trail in Georgia? If you haven’t been yet, tell us which trail you want to ride first!