Ellijay is the mountain bike capital of Georgia. When you want to get away from the pressures of the big city or relax for a weekend with your family, grabbing a bicycle to explore the trips and trails in the area can be lots of fun.
The Ellijay River House is one of the best bed and breakfasts in Georgia for those who love mountain biking. Numerous exploration opportunities are only a few minutes away, and Cartecay Bike Shop can take care of your various equipment and gear needs while you’re here.
We’ve got all your bases covered!
Whether you want a simple trail to enjoy or a technical masterpiece, here are the best trails and trips you can take.
What Are the Best Mountain Biking Trails in Ellijay?
If you’re ready to start pedaling your vacation away in Ellijay, try these mountain bike trip options!
This mountain bike trail delivers the best of what a Blue Ridge Mountain singletrack should offer.
It’s an out-and-back design that weaves its way across somewhat steep hills and shaded valleys for a relaxing experience. The journey is about an even mix of old fire road doubletrack and narrow singletrack. Once you reach the summit, you’re rewarded with an intense downhill that takes you back to where you started.
The lower parts of Bear Creek stay a bit tacky throughout the year, but the trail is rideable almost year-round. Several switchbacks and creek crossing deliver lots of fun.
This trail takes you along the primary ridge of Fort Mountain before it plunges down to take you along a steep and rocky path. It’s got many switchbacks, making the 1.8 miles feel a lot longer than it is. You’ll drop almost 700 feet in elevation during the ride, but there is a brief climb in the middle.
The maximum grade is 37%, so it’ll challenge your brakes at the end. Many large and loose rocks are on the trail bed, especially on the switchbacks, so take your time and stay safe out there.
Climbing out on the reverse route creates its own set of challenges. Fort Mountain State Park recommends continuing clockwise on Trail 310 to get back to the parking lot, but the climb there is almost as hard.
This option provides 15 miles of intermediate-level singletrack mountain biking opportunities. It’s hard enough for experts to have some fun while challenging beginners to see if they’ll fall in love with this outdoor activity.
Individual mountain bike trails in this system can take you to the Flat Creek Loop, Long Branch, Green Mountain, or the incredible Stanley Gap.
Some of the trails are relatively smooth and flow well, while others are incredibly technical and steep.
To get there you’ll take I-575N to Blue Ridge, turn right on Aska Road, and travel about five miles to reach the trailhead.
This mountain biking trip to Dalton is awesome year round, however it’s best in autumn because the changing colors create a visual symphony of beauty for your ride. If you follow the entire system, you’ll cover over 300 miles, and you can even explore some of the Appalachian Trail on an extended adventure.
Since about 40 miles of the route is paved, it can be a great option for a more leisurely ride.
The tread ranges can be technical, with several significant climbs to enjoy while in the saddle. You can even connect to other trails, including Bear Creek and Fort Mountain.
If you want to stay near Ellijay, take the Mountaintown Creek segment. It’s a single track downhill that follows an old logging road. You’ll encounter several technical creek crossings, so expect to get wet.
This popular route takes you from Mulberry Gap to include Bear Creek, Pinhoti, and others spots where you’ll find some great views. About half of it is singletrack, covering over 36 miles with numerous elevation changes.
Since it’s a loop trail, you can plan for a day in the saddle, followed by dinner at one of Ellijay’s best restaurants.
With this mountain bike trip, you’ll want to get ready to climb right away. The first six miles take you up 2,100 feet!
Mountain biking in Ellijay is a world-class experience. When you combine that adventure with a stay at one of the best North GA bed and breakfast destinations, you’ll have a relaxing vacation or holiday that everyone will enjoy!