There’s nothing quite as exhilarating as speeding down exciting biking trails deep in the woods. Residents and visitors of Dahlonega, GA are spoiled for choice when it comes to bike paths, with an excellent selection to choose from. So, hop on your bike and get ready for a day out on one of these amazing trails. 
1. Eight Gaps
Eight Gaps is a fast-paced ride along forest roads in the Bull Mountain area to the north of Dahlonega. It’s particularly good if the other singletrack trails in the area are rendered impassible by snow, ice, or mud, or during the freeze-thaw season, as it can usually be ridden in most weather conditions. The full loop is a little under 20 miles long in total, more than enough for a good day’s ride.
The trail starts at the foot of Cooper’s Gap Road, which climbs up to the top of the main ridge of the Blue Ridge Mountains, before following the ridge along to Winding Stair Gap. From there, it’s a steep downhill back to the parking lot. You probably won’t need to pedal at all for the final three miles. Be careful, as the area is used by the Army Rangers for practice, and make sure to wear orange during hunting season.
2. Nimblewill Road
Another great forest road ride in the same area is Nimblewill Road, a gentle out-and-back ride that takes you up and over the gap of the same name, between Frosty Mountain and Black Mountain. At just over 13 miles, it makes a good ride, but it’s quite hard to find a way back again aside from a long road ride. The only off-road return is via Anderson Creek Forest Road, but this has been largely abandoned and is very difficult to pass.
Start from Nimblewill Baptist Church, there are about 2 miles of paved road before it switches to gravel upon entering USFS land. Expect a steep climb for the next four miles up to the gap, where several other trails intersect, including Amicalola Creek Road, which leads to Amicalola Falls State Park. After this, it’s a fairly technical downhill run, thanks to the poor condition of the road.
3. Bull and Jake Mountain Trail
One of the few trails in the North Georgia Mountains that features proper red clay singletrack is this 25-mile loop, starting from the terminus of the Appalachian Trail. The trail offers a bit of everything, including stream crossings, sustained climbs, and loose rocks to contend with.
Start at the trailhead for Bull Mountain, the trail climbs slowly through big trees, before descending to ford a creek. Eventually, you’ll loop back around to where you started, but it’s a good idea to bring a map of some description, as there are a lot of trail intersections that can get confusing. The trail is very popular with equestrians, so look out for horses.
These are a few of our favorite trails in the area, but perhaps we’ve missed your favorite? Visit us at Chestatee Ford today and tell us about it!
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