Biking

Plan your ride with supplemental info from the Welcome Center, books, bike shops and the web. Start with good maps and great advice from locals. For detailed info on National Forests, road closures, trail restrictions and more consult the US Forest Service web site at www.fs.usda.gov.

1. Ocoee Whitewater Center Trails

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In addition to whitewater sports, the Tanasi Trail system at the center has 30 miles of trails for hikers and mountain bikers. Get detailed maps there. From Blue Ridge take GA 5 north to McCaysville, then turn left on Tennessee Highway 68. In Ducktown, take U.S. 64 about 6 miles west to Ocoee Whitewater Center.
N 35°03.961' W084°27.678'

2. South Fork Trail & Loop

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Located in the Cohutta Wilderness Area along the South Fork of Jacks River, this beautiful 2.9 mile singletrack trail combines forest, views and water crossings. It is highly recommended to get the USFS map of the Cohutta Wilderness and carry the 10 Essentials. From Blue Ridge travel 3.9 miles north on Hwy 5 to Hwy 2 and go west 10.5 miles to Watson Gap (dirt road at mile 9). Start biking here for the loop down FS 64 (on the left) or drive the 4 miles to Jacks River Fields and the trailhead of the South Fork Trail. Loop returns to Watson Gap on Foster Rd.

3. Cashes Valley Ride

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This 5 - 15 mile out and back ride through a gorgeous mountain valley and forest starts off Hwy 2 on paved Cashes Valley Road, turns to gravel road and ultimately goes all the way into forest along Fightingtown Creek. From the McDonald’s in Blue Ridge go north on Hwy 5 for 3.9 miles and make a left on Hwy 2. Go 3.8 miles to Cashes Valley Road and park on the right in the pull off. At mile 2.5 you can bear right to the unpaved, rougher part of Cashes Valley Road for another 5 miles of mountain bike riding. Be prepared for several semi-deep stream crossings and getting wet if you continue. Return to parking.

4. Chestnut Gap Ride

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From Blue Ridge travel north on Hwy 5 3.9 miles to Hwy 2 and go west 2.2 miles to Chestnut Gap Road. Park there. You can either ride 4 miles out and return, or ride to a shuttle in downtown Blue Ridge.

5. Ada Street Town to Country

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Starting at the intersection of Mountain and Ada Streets, you can ride paved 2-lane all the way to the Toccoa River at Curtis Switch (4.7 miles) through beautiful rolling countryside.

6. City Park & Blocks of History

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The grid layout of downtown Blue Ridge makes for nice easy biking and stopping. Mineral Springs Park is a nice picnic spot. Start at downtown City Park. See our Map #13 Historic Blue Ridge.

7. Lake Blue Ridge Recreation Area

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4.1 miles from Blue Ridge. Take East First Street to Dry Branch Road (just past Aska Road), make a right and follow to the bike and walking loops at the Lake BR Recreation Area.

8. Boardtown Road Ride

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From Blue Ridge going south on Boardtown Road continues through scenic countryside all the way to Ellijay, GA. A nice long road bike ride.

9. Aska Trails Area

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A hiking and biking trail system 17 miles in length and open year-round. From the start of Aska Road in Blue Ridge go 4.4 miles to the trailhead for the Deep Gap portion of the Aska Trails. Other trailheads are located 1.5 miles from Deep Gap on Shady Falls Road and another is up Stanley Creek Road 4.1 miles at Stanley Gap (Toccoa River Restaurant on left). Trails range from 2 to 5.5 miles and are open all year. Except for the Long Branch Loop the trails are not recommended for novices.

Parking lot - N 34°48.995' W084°17.989’

10. Turkey Farm Loop

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Right off Aska Road (at 5.9 miles turn left on Shady Falls Road) is a 4.7 mile gravel loop around an old turkey farm.

11. Stanley Creek Road

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In Blue Ridge, follow Aska Road south for eight miles. Turn right on Stanley Creek Rd. (Toccoa Riverside Restaurant is on the left). Park at the lot just up from Toccoa Riverside Restaurant or you can drive to the Stanley Gap Aska trailhead (4.1 miles from Aska Road) and then bike to Hwy. 515 and return.

12. Old Dial Road & Toccoa River

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Take Aska Road in Blue Ridge approximately 8.3 miles south to bridge on left. Cross Shallowford Bridge and follow the dirt road 1.3 miles to its intersection with Old Dial Road. Turn right on Old Dial, go .6 miles and you’ll find Sandy Bottoms Canoe Launch and Campground, which is a great place to get your feet wet! Park here and ride out and back to the bridge along the river, or continue on Old Dial at the intersection of Shallowford Br. Rd.

13. Newport & Doublehead Gap Roads

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Take Aska Road in Blue Ridge approximately 18.1 miles to Newport Road and find a parking spot near there. Nice riding in this area through the countryside and along the scenic Toccoa River. You can make various routes along Newport and Doublehead Gap Roads, but car traffic on Hwy. 60 can be treacherous for bikes.

14. & 15. Forest Service Rd 58 & 42

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Go 13.5 miles south on Aska Road to its end. Turn right onto Newport Road, go 4.5 miles to end. Turn left onto Doublehead Gap Road, cross a concrete bridge where the road will become dirt/gravel. Continue .3 miles and turn right onto dirt/gravel Forest Service Road 58 (just past the cemetery and church). Ride 5.3 miles on FS 58 to Three Forks area (Hikers Crossing Sign). Noontootla Creek is on the right. Near here the Appalachian Trail and Benton MacKaye trails begin and a short hike leads to Long Creek Falls (trail is hiking only, no bikes). Continue the climb on FS 58 to FS 42, make a right and continue to the parking lot at Springer Mountain.

16. Old Hwy. 76 Ride

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From Blue Ridge going east on East First Street, Old Hwy. 76 (same road) continues through scenic countryside all the way to Blairsville, GA.

17. Fightingtown Creek Nature Park

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Fightingtown Creek Nature Park is 190 acres of natural land available for public use for hiking, mountain biking, birdwatching, and other low impact recreation. There are 4 loops totaling approximately 12 miles. Beautiful seasonal views from the top of Prince Mountain as well as a trail following Fightingtown creek. Natural surfaces, and beginner/in- termediate level trails. The park is owned and managed by Southeastern Trust for Parks and Land in cooperation with the Friends of Fightingtown Creek Nature Park. Look for signs and a red gate on the right, just past 1126 Cedar Valley Rd. facebook.com/- fightingtowncreeknaturepark.

A Word to the Wise…

Highway biking can be dangerous, wear brightly colored clothing and stay to the right side of the road. If biking in the mountains, be prepared for wilderness, get the excellent Trails Illustrated Map #777, heed safety tips on map. Ride slow, single file, especially if biking with kids.