In the event you’re trying to put your two wheels on filth round Atlanta, then you definitely’re in luck. You’ll discover trails inside straightforward driving distance, and there’s a wide range of difficulties and types of driving out there to you.
Eager about enhancing your abilities or biking with a gaggle? Be sure to try a native REI class or tour. Whether or not you need to skim alongside ribbons of singletrack or shoot your self into the air on rigorously crafted jumps, we’ll assist you discover your subsequent nice path expertise in and across the “Metropolis within the Forest.”
- Location: Atlanta
- Size: 7 miles when accomplished
- Issue: A number of path difficulties
- Finest For: Proximity to downtown and the encompassing space
This path system has had an arduous journey to existence; a collaboration between many volunteer teams and authorities companies has resulted in the most effective mountain biking experiences within the metro space. The Southside Park undertaking was the primary of its type because the Atlanta Park System started putting in and sustaining mountain bike trails across the metropolis. It took 4 years to design the grasp plan and break floor on the park in 2016; it’s estimated to take one other 7–13 years to completely accomplish the dream. They’ve already opened one single-direction gravity path.
The Southside path system caters to a variety of talent ranges, from newbie to skilled. There are a number of completely different trails that you could hyperlink collectively to have a “select your individual journey.” It caters to all capability ranges and is a good place to get out with your loved ones. You could find workday occasions and path situations on the Atlanta Space SORBA (Southern Off-Street Bicycle Affiliation) web site and Twitter feed. It’s also possible to discover volunteer data there, because the native SORBA maintains the attraction.
One final nice spotlight of Southside Park is the situation: It’s a simple drive from downtown. Whether or not you’re in search of an important trip after work or take a number of loops on the weekend, this can be a excellent place to let free and have enjoyable on the bike.
- Location: Chattahoochee Hills
- Size: 18 miles of XC multiuse trails
- Issue: Newbie to intermediate choices
- Finest For: Nice alternative for cyclers who’re additionally hikers and equestrians
Cochran Mill—to not be confused with Cochran Shoals Park, which comes later on this record—presents a novel expertise within the Atlanta space for mountain biking. In the event you’re in the hunt for that “old style singletrack” expertise, that is the path you’ve been ready for. These trails supply as much as 18 miles of retro-style switchbacks and movement gracefully. Whereas these paths had been machine constructed, they’re left to be pure. The routes are tight and twisty, so get able to earn your movement right here. You’ll have the chance to check your abilities on tight turns and construct confidence in your bike.
Since these trails are open to all customers, be certain to apply correct path etiquette—keep in mind that bikes yield to everybody. You’ll be capable to tempo your self with different customers, as a result of you’ll be able to see a number of turns forward. The Cochran Mill Park is among the longest trails within the metro space. These trails are maintained by Atlanta Space SORBA, you could find workday occasions and path situations on its Twitter feed and web site.
- Location: Sandy Springs
- Size: 7 miles
- Issue: Newbie to intermediate trails
- Finest For: These in search of a problem
Sope Creek Trails would be the busiest, however they’re additionally probably the most accessible trails within the Atlanta metro space. The system presents two foremost loops and has a connector within the center. This path system is probably the most used within the metropolis because of its location, easy accessibility and distinctive challenges. Be ready: This park has a ten mph pace restrict—however, as at all times, bikes yield to all different path customers.
Whereas Sope Creek presents beginner-friendly sections, they’re spaced between intermediate sections. For these intermediate sections, it’s essential be prepared for the trip or be prepared to stroll, since there isn’t a manner round them. For a whole newbie expertise, there’s a 3-mile gravel path across the park that makes for a enjoyable and simple development to the intermediate sections.
- Location: Woodstock
- Size: About 12 miles
- Issue: A number of path difficulties
- Finest For: Directional site visitors, purpose-built for mountain bikes
Olde Rope Mill is a good selection for any Atlanta-area rider. These trails had been constructed for mountain bikes and there are 10 completely different loops to select from. This park has every part you might need within the final XC path system. With the river operating by way of the center of the park, you’re by no means removed from a lovely view—that’s if you happen to can concentrate on one thing apart from grinning from ear to ear as you blast by way of the turns.
For the reason that trails at Olde Rope Mill are directional (the route of the path modifications relying on the day), riders ought to you’ll want to examine the map on the trailhead earlier than getting began, with the intention to catch which route the path is operating on every go to. A enjoyable strategy to problem your self is to return again on a number of events and attempt to grasp the path going each methods. This can be a nice probability to achieve new Strava information and evaluate your occasions on completely different path instructions.
Olde Rope Mill is one other busy path system, so at all times be sure to’re watching the path forward of you for different customers.
- Location: Roswell
- Size: 6.8 XC miles
- Issue: Newbie to superior path choices
- Finest For: Dust jumps, pump observe and a freeride park
Huge Creek Park is the grasp park of the Atlanta space. This path system has loads of selection, from XC loops to freeride chutes. Whether or not you need to go the gap or deliver your leaping A sport, you’ll be able to select your stage of enjoyable. There are newbie choices for each self-discipline, intermediate flows and expert-level options as effectively. Positioned within the metropolis of Roswell, this path is barely half-hour from downtown. Huge Creek is the king of the hill in metro-area driving. The title doesn’t lie, as a result of it presents a pump observe, freeride and filth jumps. The park additionally presents a trailhead to a greenway that spans miles and miles of paved scenic views. The paths are maintained by the Woodstock SORBA, who additionally keep Blankets Creek, an important path system in Georgia as effectively that we’ll get into subsequent on this record. The SORBA presents path situations and workday data on its web site, if you happen to’d prefer to study extra or volunteer.
- Location: Canton
- Size: 15 miles of movement
- Issue: Newbie to intermediate
- Finest For: The well-maintained, directional gravity path
Blankets Creek really presents a novel expertise for each rider, no matter talent or capability. Most of its trails are directional, that means you observe a method and don’t run the danger of taking a flip into one other rider. However Blankets Creek additionally has a gravity path, which lets you take a look at your downhill abilities. The park is positioned solely half-hour from downtown Atlanta, and this path system permits you to get every part out of your after-hours vibes out to your weekend epic path trip. You’ll have the time of your life as you rip by way of the bermed turns and soar from curler to curler.
Blankets Creek has one foremost path that’s 4.6 miles lengthy and a number of other smaller loops that make for limitless choices. Among the best options of this park is how well-maintained the paths are: You received’t miss the ruts because the bike tires roll seamlessly alongside the bottom. Blankets Creek is a good selection for newbie riders or households with youngsters who’re nonetheless studying to trip safely. Nevertheless, if you happen to love the choice of jumps and clean rides, you’ll love these trails!
- Location: Marietta
- Size: 3.1 miles
- Issue: Newbie-friendly
- Finest For: A flat path, flow path beside a river
Conveniently positioned within the Atlanta metro space, Cochran Shoals Park is the right place for inexperienced persons. This technique presents just a few completely different choices for riders relying on the trip you’re in search of. The paths embody a flat path of over 3 miles that flows alongside the banks of the Chattahoochee River. Cochran Shoals is a good place to take the household, particularly younger children who’re nonetheless studying and gaining confidence on the bike. They will take breaks and benefit from the river, whereas mother and father don’t have to fret about troublesome options.
This path is a neighborhood favourite for that lunchtime trip or getting in some miles after work. Due to lovely scenic views, you’re positive to benefit from the landscapes whereas getting some contemporary air. Since this can be a standard spot and it’s multiuse, you’ll want to be careful for hikers and runners.
There are such a lot of choices within the Atlanta space for an important trip. Whether or not you’re in search of a household outing subsequent weekend, or an after-work filth remedy session, the metro space presents some wonderful alternatives to have a good time.