Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forestss
Biking/Hiking Trails
The Aska Trails Area is a hiking-mountain bicycling 17 mile trail system developed on national forest lands near Deep Gap on the Aska Road in south-central Fannin County. Trails range in length from 1.0 miles to 5.5 miles and are open to the public year around. Trails ascend to nearly 3200 feet, providing vistas of mountain ridges and descend to the shores of Lake Blue Ridge. They also pass through coves of mature hardwoods and traverse thickets of laurel and rhododendron. Two trails cross or travel along mountain streams providing a range of forested settings. Any time of the year is recommended for use. Hunting (large game, gun) season is generally late October through December 31. Stream water flow and wildflower displays are best in the spring. Winter days are often clear and cool with many delightful views of distant mountains.
Trailhead Locations
The main trailhead location is at Deep Gap, a short 15 minute drive from the Ranger Station. Other trailheads are at Stanley Gap on the Rock Creek Road in the southernmost part of the area, just off Shady Falls Road that comes off Aska Road and on Forest Road 711 another spur from Aska Road by way of Campbell Camp Road to the east. Bulletin boards at trailheads show maps of the area, trail system and additional timely information. The USGS Blue Ridge, GA Quadrangle map shows topographic features of the Aska Trail Area. The maps available at the Toccoa Ranger Station and on the trailhead bulletin boards were developed from topographic maps.
Directions from
Blue Ridge to Trailheads
Deep Gap - From Forest Service office, travel east 1.5 miles on East First Street (old U. S. 76) to Aska Road (Harmony Church on left). Turn right, go south 4.4 miles to Deep Gap parking area below gap and on west side of road.
Stanley Gap - Go south on Aska Road 8 miles. Turn right on a dirt/gravel road (Toccoa River Outpost on left). Parking area for trail is 4.1 miles on right. Alternate route -From FS office, travel south on East First Street 1. I mile to Hwy. 515, turn left on 515 and go south 5.9 miles to Co. Rd. 152. Turn right on Co. Rd. 152 and then another right going beneath overpass. Follow Rock Creek Road upstream. Pavement ends at 1.8 miles. Continue on dirt/gravel road, parking area is on left 5.1 miles after end of pavement.
Forest Road 711 - Drive south on Aska Road 2.5 miles to Campbell Camp Road. Turn left and follow main road 0.8 miles to Forest Road 711 intersecting from left. Follow 711 past private homes, turn right, follow into Forest. Trailhead at 2.0 miles. Shady Falls - Follow Aska Road south 5.9 miles to Shady Falls Road. Turn left, go 0.2 miles to parking area on left.
Travel time to these trailheads will vary from fifteen to forty minutes depending on trailhead chosen.
Roads leading to trailheads are paved or dirt/gravel all weather roads suitable for sedans. Parking is available in moderate size traveled areas near trailheads.
Hiking and Bicycling Times
These will vary with the trail or loop or combinations of trails chosen. Times can range from as short as 15-20 minutes to a 3-5 hour round trip hike or ride from one end of the system to the other. It is the various combinations of trails that provide the diversity of cycling and hiking experiences. See individual trail descriptions on trailhead boards for details of mileage, challenge general layout and other unique features.
Trails
- Stanley Gap Trail
- Length: 5.5 miles
- Blaze: White
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Long Branch Loop Trail
- Length: 2.1 miles
- Blaze: Green/White
- Difficulty: Easy
- Green Mtn. Trail (Lower)
- Length: 1.1 miles
- Blaze: White Rectangle
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Green Mtn. Connector
- Length: 0.3 mile
- Blaze: Green
- Difficulty: Easy
- Flat Creek Loop Trail
- Length: 5.7 miles
- Blaze: Green/White
- Difficulty: Moderate/20% Single track
- Green Mountain Trail (Upper )
- Length: 3.5 miles
- Blaze: White Rectangle
- Difficulty: Strenuous/Single track
- Stanley Gap/Flat Cr. Connector
- Length: 0. 3 miles
- Blaze: Green
- Difficulty: Moderate/Single track
- Green Mtn./Long. Br. Connector
- Length: 0.8 miles
- Blaze: White/Green
- Difficulty: Moderate/Single track
Use Restrictions
No motorized vehicles or packstock, including horses, is allowed on the trail system. The trails have been designed and constructed for use by day hikers and mountain bicyclists.
Overnight camping is permitted on the western and southern parts of the system. Please, do not camp on private lands (See map) or within 50 feet of streams.
The rules and regulations of the national forests apply to all recreational activities. Do not cut live trees, use dead and down wood only for campfires, do not pollute, bathe in or contaminate streams and watercourses. Do not litter. If you pack it in, pack it out.
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