Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests Biking/Hiking Trails
Some terrific trails — if hikers don't mind the sight of the metal beasts, and if mountain bikers are willing to take it a little slower and maybe even dismount now and again when passing walkers. Get on the peace train!
Stanley Gap Trail . . . Short, pleasant route through Southern Appalachian hardwood forest Green Mountain Trail . . . Along the shoreline of Lake Blue Ridge Flat Creek Loop . . . Sort of misnamed - not flat, but up and down from ridge top to lake shoreline Long Branch Loop . . . Another misnomer - not a long, but a short trail with lots of variation Stonewall Loop . . . Hikers beware — mostly a biking trail Aska Hiking & Biking Trail System . . . 17 mile trail system open all year
The Trails
Stanley Gap Trail This trail offers a pleasant route through a typical Southern Appalachian hardwood forest with a diverse variety of trees, shrubs and wildflowers. Views of surrounding mountains and an overview of Lake Blue Ridge, in winter, add to the experience. This is an in and back trail. A shuttle car may be left at either terminus parking area if visitor desires to walk the entire trail.
Length: 5.5 Miles one-way (8.8 K) Rating: Moderate Use: Light Hiking Time: About five and one-half hours round trip. Use Restrictions: No motorized vehicles allowed on trail. Mountain bicyclists are permitted. Trail is designed for day hikers, not recommended for horses. Travel Time: About fifteen minutes from Blue Ridge to Deep Gap trailhead. Approximately 35 minutes to Stanley Gap off road parking area. Road Conditions: Paved and all-weather dirt-gravel roads suitable for sedans. USGS Map: Blue Ridge, GA Quadrangle.
Trailhead Location: The trail begins at Deep Gap (Elev. 2243'). There is a graveled USFS parking area on the west side of Aska Road about 100 yards south of the gap. This section of trail begins at the parking lot. If desired, the visitor can park in a small area near Stanley Gap (Elev. 2317') on Rock Creek Road and hike the trail west-east from the other terminus.
Trail Layout: The trail begins at corner of parking lot and starts as a gradual climb toward summit of Davenport Mountain. There are several short, relatively steep ascents but they are not strenuous. The trail along the south side of Davenport Mountain provides an overview of the mountains to the south and west. From the top of Rocky Mountain the trail descends for 2.9 miles to Stanley Gap. Views of Lake Blue Ridge may be seen from the east side of Rocky Mountain. Note: This trail is also used by mountain bicyclists for single track biking. This trail was formerly known as the Rich Mountain Trail (west side) and some books still refer to it as such. The trail is easier to hike when coming from Deep Gap and going toward Stanley Gap than in the opposite direction. Note also other hiking/bicycling trails off this trail.
Access: From Blue Ridge travel east on E. First St. (top of hill from door of Toccoa Ranger Station) to Aska Road (1.5 miles). South on Aska Road to Deep Gap (4.4 miles). Parking area on west side below gap. If desired to access the western terminus continue south on Aska Road past the parking lot to intersection with Stanley Creek Road (3.7 miles). Turn west, continue 4.2 miles to parking area 100 yards below Stanley Gap. Stanley Creek Road becomes Rock Creek Road after crossing Fannin/Gilmer County road.
Green Mountain Trail This trail offers a very pleasant hike or bicycle ride, first overlooking and then alongside the shoreline of Lake Blue Ridge. The forest type is basic Southern Appalachian hardwood with a variety of trees, shrubs and wildflower. Forest animals are rarely seen but include deer and turkey. Note: This is an in and back trail. Alternatively, a shuttle car can be left at the lake terminus parking area. See below.
Length: 3.3 Miles one-way (5.3 K) Rating: Easy Use: Light Recommended Season: Any time of year. Spring wildflowers and winter vistas are especially attractive Hiking Time: About two and one-half hours round trip. Use Restrictions: No motorized vehicles allowed on trail. Mountain bicycles are permitted. Trail designed for day hikers, not recommended for horses. Travel Time: About fifteen minutes from Blue Ridge to Deep Gap trailhead. Approximately 25 minutes to USFS Road 711 trailhead parking.
Road Conditions: Paved roads and all-weather dirt-gravel roads suitable for sedans. Parking is on graveled USFS parking lot on west side of Aska Road just below Deep Gap. Parking area on USFS Road 711 is a wide spot above road about 2.2 miles after fuming onto Campbell Camp Road.
USGS Map: Blue Ridge, GA Quadrangle.
Trailhead Location: The trail begins at Deep Gap (Elev. 2243'). There is a graveled USFS parking area on the west side of Aska Road about 100 yards south of the gap. The eastern section of the trail begins across Aska Road. If desired, the visitor can park in a small area near the end of USFS Road 711 and hike or ride the trail east-west (generally uphill) from the other terminus.
Trail Layout: Trail begins on the east side of road as a gradual climb to summit of Green Mountain. Alternatively, the visitor can travel the old logging roadbed (lower) segment which is just south on Aska Road of the described trail (upper). The old road joins the trail at the top of Green Mtn. On the trail there are five short, relatively steep ascents but, they are not strenuous. The ridge atop Green Mountain provides an overview of Charlie's Cove of Lake Blue Ridge. The trail then descends for 2.4 miles to its terminus on USFS Road 711. Views of Lake Blue Ridge are found almost the entire way after cresting the mountain top.
Access: From Blue Ridge travel east on E. First St. (top of hill from door of Toccoa Ranger Station) to Aska Road (1.5 miles). South on Aska Road to Deep Gap (4.4 miles). Parking area on west side below gap. To access the eastern terminus on USFS Road 71 1, turn left off Aska Road onto Campbell Camp Road (2.5 miles south of Harmony Church) and follow road generally south past private homes until sharp left turn onto USFS Road 711 about 0.8 miles from pavement. Follow USFS Rd. 711 to signed parking area.
Flat Creek Loop This 5.8 mile trail is a part of the 17 mile hiking/mountain bicycle trail system known as the /resource/us_national_forest/ga/bik_cha2.htm>Aska Trails Area on national forest land near Deep Gap on Aska Road in south central Fannin County. Trails range in length from 1.0 miles to 5.5 miles and are open to the recreational public year around. Trails ascend to near 3200 feet, providing vistas of mountain ridges and descend to shores of beautiful Lake Blue Ridge. They also pass through coves of mature hardwoods as well as traversing thickets of laurel and rhododendron. This trail provides a range of forested settings as well as a short segment along a mountain creek.
Length: 5.8 miles (9.28 K) Rating: Moderate Use: Light Recommended Season: Any time of the year. Stream water flow and wildflower displays are best in the spring. Hiking and Bicycling Times: This will vary according to fitness level. For cyclists about 30-40 minutes, for hikers about 3 hours. Use Restrictions: No motorized vehicles or horses allowed on this trail. Designed for day hikers and mountain bicyclists only. Travel Time: Fifteen minutes from Toccoa Ranger Station to Deep Gap. Road Conditions: Paved all weather roads suitable for sedans. Parking is in gravel lot with 10 vehicle capacity. USGS Map: Blue Ridge, GA Quadrangle.
Cyclists should be experienced Off Road Bicyclists. Portions are difficult.
Trailhead Locations: The trailhead location is the parking lot at Deep Gap, 4.5 miles south of Blue Ridge on Aska Road. The bulletin board shows a map of the area, other trails in the trail system and additional timely information.
Trail Layout: To access this loop the visitor should follow the trail (white & dark green blazes) on the road bed west from the bulletin board. Within a 100 yards the trail forks. Stay on the road bed to left. At about 0.4 miles look for dark green blazed side trail into woods on left. This trail goes through woods for about 0.25 miles. Come onto and follow old logging road bed. Route rejoins a dug trail and gradually descends toward Flat Creek. After 0.5 miles trail joins old road near creek. Follow road downhill to creek, cross and take right at about 50 yards. on old road. Follow road (Do not digress onto dead-end side roads!) about 1.0 miles to head of valley. Head of valley has open, mature hardwoods in abundance. Cross creek again heading uphill, gradually ascend old road to graveled road. Follow dark green blazed graveled road 2.0 miles back to parking lot.
Access: Deep Gap - From Forest Service office, travel east 1.5 miles on East First Street (old US 76) to Aska Road (Harmony Church on left). Turn right, go south 4.4 miles to Deep Gap parking area below gap on west side of road.
Long Branch Loop A hiking-mountain bicycling trail system 17.0 miles in length has been 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 recreational public year around. Trails ascend to near 3200 feet, providing vistas of mountain ridges and descend to shores of beautiful Lake Blue Ridge. They also pass through coves of mature hardwoods as well as traversing thickets of laurel and rhododendron. This is one of those trails which crosses or travels along a mountain streams and provides a range of forested settings for the visitor.
Length: 2.0 miles (3.20K) Rating: Easy Use: Light Recommended Season: Any time of the year. Stream water flow and wildflower displays are best in the spring. Hiking and Bicycling Times: About 25-35 minutes for cyclists and one hour for day hikers. Use Restrictions: No motorized vehicles or horses allowed on the trail system. Designed for day hikers and mountain bicyclists only. Travel Time: Twenty-five minutes from Toccoa Ranger Station. Road Conditions: Paved or dirt-gravel all weather roads suitable for sedans. Parking is in moderate size graveled areas on trailhead. USGS Map: Blue Ridge, GA Quadrangle.
Trailhead Locations: The main trailhead location is just off Shady Falls Road. A bulletin board shows a map of the area, the trail system and additional timely information.
Trail Layout: This trail begins at northeast corner of the parking lot. It is marked with dark green blazes. Trail leaves parking area and enters onto old logging road. Within 300 yards come to fork in road. Take right-hand fork and go gradually downhill on road bed. Cross creek and ascend gently on grassy road. At 0.75 miles note white and dark green blazed side trail to right. This leads to Green Mountain Trail. Continue ahead on road bearing down to left. Descend to branch, cross and immediately ascend on old skidding road. Go to ridge top, turn left and follow alongside recent timber harvest on old road. After an additional mile the visitor will be back at the original fork in trail. Turn right, proceed 300 yards to parking lot.
Access: Shady Falls - From Forest Service once, travel east 1.5 miles on East First Street (old US 76) to Aska Road (Harmony Church on left). Turn right and follow Aska Road south 5.9 miles to Shady Falls Road. Turn left, proceed 0.2 miles to parking area on left.
from Away.com
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