Bike Trails Near Blue Ridge Georgia
Did you know that Ellijay is the Mountain Bike Capital of Georgia? With well over 50 existing trails and more being established every season, it’s not hard to see why mountain biking enthusiasts of all levels enjoy a thrilling trip to the Georgia mountains.
With options ranging from scenic bunny hills to lengthy monster trails, there’s an option for mountain bikers of every level.
If you’re looking for the top bike trails in the Blue Ridge—we’ve got you covered. Pack the car, rack the bikes, and get ready to hit the trails!
Long Branch Loop Trail
- Length: 2.5 Mile Loop
- Difficulty: Easy
- Location: Blue Ridge
Part of the larger Aska trail system, the Long Branch Loop is one of the easier rides. The wide, heavily trafficked track offers plenty of room for multiple riders and the trail itself has minimal obstacles to navigate. A majority of the trail is also covered by dense forest canopy, which limits the views but does offer some welcomed shade during the summer. The Long Branch Loop is a great trail for beginners looking to explore the Aska trail area and explore the Long Branch Valley.
Hickey Knob Trail
- Length: 3.1 Mile Loop
- Difficulty: Easy/Medium
- Location: Wilscot
Bikers seeking a trail ride with a view will not be disappointed with scenic trip down Hickey Knob Trail. This beginner-friendly trail is great for riders with minimal mountain biking experience and takes riders through wide-open fields full of wildflowers and sweeping mountain views. The loop is quick, easy, and also dog friendly!
South Fork Trail
- Length: 6 Mile, Out & Back
- Difficulty: Easy/Medium
- Location: Blue Ridge
Short and fast, riders of the South Fork Trail can enjoy either a three-mile, one-way trip or a six-mile round trip. Shortly after the trail begins, the path descents towards a hidden 20-foot waterfall, which makes a nice pitstop for pictures. The first three miles is a straight downhill stretch, which means you’ll have to power through an uphill climb if you take the full out and back route.
Jackrabbit Mountain Loop
- Length: 11 Mile Loop
- Difficulty: Easy/Medium
- Location: Hiawassee
Jackrabbit Mountain is located along the shores beside Lake Chatuge in Hayesville, NC near Hiawassee, GA. This is a purpose-built trail system which is very well designed and is laid out in a “Stacked Loop” formation. The trails are for beginners to intermediate and are fast – flowing and have lots of rolling dips that take you along the shores and hills of Lake Chatuge. All the trails are open to mountain biking and hiking, so be on the watch for fellow adventurers on bike or on foot.
Bear Creek Trail
- Length: 6.5 Miles, Loop
- Difficulty: Medium
- Location: Ellijay
Located in Ellijay, GA, this intermediate trail is a 10-mile single-track loop, with a 4,700’ elevation gain. This loop is part of the Pinhoti trail and is primarily ridden downhill. There are a few creek crossings, so prepare for a few splashes. Overall, the Bear Creek Trail is fun, fast, and flowy. The highlight of this loop is the Gannet Poplar, a giant poplar with a girth as wide as 6 adult wingspans.
Pinhoti Trail: GA 136 to Dug Gap Mountain Road
- Length: 15 Miles, Out & Back
- Difficulty: Medium
- Location: Ellijay
Known as one of Georgia’s epics, the Pinhoti Trail starts around Ellijay and finishes in Alabama—about 318 miles total. This trail is fast and flowy, but the difficulty depends on which area you are riding. This particular area, GA 136 to Dug Gap Mountain Road, is classified as an intermediate ride. This single track gains 2800′ and is an out and back trail.
Stanley Gap Loop
- Length: 14.5 Mile Loop
- Difficulty: Medium/Hard
- Location: Blue Ridge
This is a fairly difficult trail and includes some bombing (and thrilling!) descents. This advanced trail includes a 1,000-foot descent over two miles on a narrow and challenging single-track with plenty of roots, rocks, and obstacles along the way. Make sure your lungs can handle the challenge as there are some tricky ascents that require some serious lung power and be prepared for some rocky downhill rides.
Pinhoti Trail: Mountaintown Creek
- Length: 5.0 Miles, One Way
- Difficulty: Hard
- Location: Ellijay
Mountaintown Creek was transformed from an old logging road. This advanced single-track trail is 5 miles long with 3000′ gain. This trail features a lot of back country riding and know, you may get wet and end up with some bruises, but it will all be worth it just to ride one of the best descents in North Georgia. This trail has several great views of waterfalls so don’t miss out along the way.
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Are the mountains calling your name? Whether you’re an experienced mountain biker seeking your next adventure or a leisure rider looking for an easy ride with some great mountain views, the Blue Ridge Mountain trails offer something for everyone.