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!
Green Mountain Trail: Along the shoreline of Lake Blue Ridge
Long Branch Loop: Another misnomer—not a long, but short trail with lots of variation
Aska Hiking & Biking Trail System: 17-mile trail system open year-round
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 a 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 711, 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.
Long Branch Loop
A hiking-mountain bicycling trail system 17 miles long 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 mile to 5.5 miles and are open to the recreational public year-round. Trails ascend to near 3,200 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 miles (3.20 K)
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 the 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 roadbed. 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 ridgetop, 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.
Aska Trails Area
Trails range in length from 1 mile to 5.5 miles and are open to the public year-round.
Trailhead Locations: The main trailhead location is at Deep Gap, a short 15-minute drive from the Ranger Station. Other trailheads are at Stanley Gap on Rock Creek Road in the southernmost part of the area, just off Shady Falls Road that comes off Aska Road and on Forest Road 711, another spur from Aska Road by way of Campbell Camp Road to the east. Bulletin boards at trailheads show maps of the area, trail system, and additional timely information. The USGS Blue Ridge, Georgia Quadrangle map shows topographic features of the Aska Trail Area. The maps available at the Toccoa Ranger Station and on the trailhead bulletin boards were developed from topographic maps.
Directions from Blue Ridge to Trailheads
Deep Gap - From the Forest Service office, travel east 1.5 miles on East First Street (old U.S. 76) to Aska Road (Harmony Church on left). Turn right, go south 4.4 miles to Deep Gap parking area below gap and on west side of road.
Stanley Gap - Go south on Aska Road for 8 miles. Turn right on a dirt/gravel road (Toccoa River Outpost on left). Parking area for trail is 4.1 miles on right. Alternate route: From FS office, travel south on East First Street 1. One mile to Hwy. 515, turn left on 515 and go south 5.9 miles to Co. Rd. 152. Turn right on Co. Rd. 152 and then take another right going beneath overpass. Follow Rock Creek Road upstream. Pavement ends at 1.8 miles. Continue on dirt/gravel road, parking area is on left 5.1 miles after end of pavement.
Forest Road 711 - Drive south on Aska Road 2.5 miles to Campbell Camp Road. Turn left and follow main road 0.8 miles to Forest Road 711 intersecting from left. Follow 711 past private homes, turn right, follow into Forest. Trailhead at 2 miles. Shady Falls: Follow Aska Road south 5.9 miles to Shady Falls Road. Turn left, go 0.2 miles to parking area on left.
Travel time to these trailheads will vary from 15 to 40 minutes depending on selected trailhead. Roads leading to trailheads are paved or dirt/gravel all-weather roads suitable for sedans. Parking is available in moderate-size traveled areas near trailheads.
Use Restrictions
No motorized vehicles or packstock, including horses, are allowed on the trail system. The trails have been designed and constructed for use by day hikers and mountain bicyclists.
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