Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests

Stanley Gap Trail: Short, pleasant route through Southern Appalachian hardwood forest
Flat Creek Loop: Sort of misnamed—not flat, but up and down from ridge top to lake shoreline
Stonewall Loop : Hikers beware—mostly a biking trail
Aska Hiking & Biking Trail System : 17-mile trail system open year-round

Stanley Gap Trail
This trail offers a pleasant route through a typical Southern Appalachian hardwood forest with a diverse variety of trees, shrubs, and wildflowers. Views of surrounding mountains and an overview of Lake Blue Ridge, in winter, add to the experience. This is an in-and-back trail. A shuttle car may be left at either terminus parking area if the visitor desires to walk the entire trail.

Length: 5.5 Miles one-way (8.8 K)
Rating: Moderate
Use: Light
Hiking Time: About a five-and-a-half-hour round trip.
Use Restrictions: No motorized vehicles allowed on trail. Mountain bicyclists are permitted. Trail is designed for day hikers, not recommended for horses.
Travel Time: About fifteen minutes from Blue Ridge to Deep Gap trailhead. Approximately 35 minutes to Stanley Gap off-road parking area.
Road Conditions: Paved and all-weather dirt-gravel roads suitable for sedans.
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. This section of trail begins at the parking lot. If desired, the visitor can park in a small area near Stanley Gap (elev. 2317') on Rock Creek Road and hike the trail west-east from the other terminus.

Trail Layout: The trail begins at corner of parking lot and starts as a gradual climb toward summit of Davenport Mountain. There are several short, relatively steep ascents, but they are not strenuous. The trail along the south side of Davenport Mountain provides an overview of the mountains to the south and west. From the top of Rocky Mountain the trail descends for 2.9 miles to Stanley Gap. Views of Lake Blue Ridge may be seen from the east side of Rocky Mountain. Note: This trail is also used by mountain bicyclists for single-track biking. Formerly known as the Rich Mountain Trail (west side), some books still refer to the trail as such. The trail is easier to hike when coming from Deep Gap and going toward Stanley Gap than in the opposite direction. Also note other hiking/bicycling trails off this trail.

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. If desired to access the western terminus continue south on Aska Road past the parking lot to intersection with Stanley Creek Road (3.7 miles). Turn west, continue 4.2 miles to parking area 100 yards below Stanley Gap. Stanley Creek Road becomes Rock Creek Road after crossing Fannin/Gilmer County road.

Flat Creek Loop
This 5.8-mile trail is a part of the 17-mile hiking/mountain bicycle trail system known as the Aska Trails Area on national forest land near Deep Gap on 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 trail provides a range of forested settings as well as a short segment along a mountain creek.

Length: 5.8 miles (9.28 K)
Rating: Moderate
Use: Light
Recommended Season: Any time of the year. Stream water flow and wildflower displays are best in the spring.
Hiking and Bicycling Times: This will vary according to fitness level. For cyclists about 30-40 minutes, for hikers about 3 hours.
Use Restrictions: No motorized vehicles or horses allowed on this trail. Designed for day hikers and mountain bicyclists only.
Travel Time: Fifteen minutes from Toccoa Ranger Station to Deep Gap.
Road Conditions: Paved all-weather roads suitable for sedans. Parking is in gravel lot with ten-vehicle capacity.
USGS Map: Blue Ridge, GA Quadrangle.

Cyclists should be experienced off-road bicyclists. Portions are difficult.

Trailhead Locations: The trailhead location is the parking lot at Deep Gap, 4.5 miles south of Blue Ridge on Aska Road. The bulletin board shows a map of the area, other trails in the trail system, and additional timely information.

Trail Layout: To access this loop the visitor should follow the trail (white and dark green blazes) on the road bed west from the bulletin board. Within 100 yards the trail forks. Stay on the roadbed to left. At about 0.4 miles look for dark green blazed side trail into woods on left. This trail goes through woods for about 0.25 mile. Come onto and follow old logging roadbed. Route rejoins a dug trail and gradually descends toward Flat Creek. After 0.5 mile trail joins old road near creek. Follow road downhill to creek, cross, and take right at about 50 yards. Follow road (do not digress onto dead-end side roads!) about 1 mile to head of valley. Head of valley has open, mature hardwoods in abundance. Cross creek again heading uphill, gradually ascend old road to graveled road. Follow dark green blazed graveled road 2 miles back to parking lot.

Access: Deep Gap - From Forest Service office, travel east 1.5 miles on East First Street (old US 76) to Aska Road (Harmony Church on left). Turn right, go south 4.4 miles to Deep Gap parking area below gap on west side of road.

Aska Trails Area
The Aska Trails Area is a 17-mile hiking and mountain biking trail system 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 public year-round. Trails ascend to nearly 3,200 feet, providing vistas of mountain ridges and descend to the shores of Lake Blue Ridge. They also pass through coves of mature hardwoods and traverse thickets of laurel and rhododendron. Two trails cross or travel along mountain streams providing a range of forested settings. Any time of year is recommended for use. Hunting (large game, gun) season is generally late October through December 31. Stream water flow and wildflower displays are best in spring. Winter days are often clear and cool with many delightful views of distant mountains.

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, is allowed on the trail system. The trails have been designed and constructed for use by day hikers and mountain bicyclists.

Overnight camping is permitted on the western and southern parts of the system. Please, do not camp on private lands (see map) or within 50 feet of streams.

The rules and regulations of the national forests apply to all recreational activities. Do not cut live trees, use dead and down wood only for campfires, do not pollute, bathe in, or contaminate streams and watercourses. Do not litter. If you pack it in, pack it out.