Bear Creek Biking Trail
Relocating to North Georgia mountains? North Georgia Real Estate
Directions Ellijay
The Bear Creek Trail is located about 13 miles N. W. of Ellijay, GA. The most direct way from Atlanta is take GA 400 (US 19) to GA 52. Make a left onto GA 52 and go to the town of Ellijay. In Ellijay continue on GA 52 for approximately 8 miles. At the 8 mile "marker" make a right onto Gates Chapel Rd. Go approximately 5 miles to F/S road 241. Make a right onto F/S 241 which will take you to the camping area (1 mile) then lower bike parking (another mile). You will see many people who are not camping park on Gates Chapel Road at the 5 mile point. Don't do that, park in the designated parking area.
Bear Creek is an outstanding trail located in the Chattahoochee National Forest. At the heart of the trail is the Bear Creek Loop which is 2.6 miles of single track (take this up) and 4.2 miles of double track (a very fast downhill). The trail itself as drawn on the map is approximately 23 miles. Below in the Trail Markers section is the route to make up the 23 miles. As drawn this trail has a 4 mile climb on a forest service gravel road. This 4 miles ends at the upper trail parking and is the toughest part of the workout. Once you reach the bottom of the loop, lower trail parking, you are faced with another 4.4 mile climb on single and double track that is a bit easier. Finally, back at the upper trail parking you get the same 4 mile F/S road but this time you're going straight down. Your speed can easily reach 30 mph so be careful and pay attention. This is definitely an intermediate trail.
Activities:
Hiking, Mountain Biking, Camping:
There is remote camping right off the trail on F/S road 241. It is
first come first serve so on the weekends I would suggest you get
there early.
Facilities: none
Fees: none
Closest town: Ellijay, Georgia
For more information:
1755 Cleveland Hwy.
Gainesville, GA 30501
Phone: 770.297.3000