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Georgia Trails

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Many visitors come to explore the hundreds of trails through North Georgia’s National Forest. Whether you want to see a waterfall, like to go hiking, biking, or horseback riding, here are some suggestions for a trail adventure:

LAKE BLUE RIDGE TRAIL Length 0.6 mile - this loop trail follows the shoreline of Lake Blue Ridge and offers a great view of the lake. It is flat and a good trail for families with young children. From Blue Ridge, take Old Business 5/ Old US 76 east for 1.5 miles to Dry Branch Road. Turn right and go 3 miles to the entrance of the Blue Ridge Recreation Area. The trail begins and ends in the picnic area.

TALKING ROCK NATURE TRAIL Length - 2.6 miles roundtrip. The trail meanders through the woods near the dams of Carters Lake. The trail passes a small pond, its branch upstream, over a short ridge, to a small loop at trail’s end to reverse course back to the beginning trailhead. From Ellijay take Old Hwy 5 4.3 miles south, turn right onto Hwy 382, follow this road 10 miles until its end at Hwy 136. Turn right, go 3.2 miles to turn right at Carters Lake Dam Visitors Center. The trailhead is on the left, on the road leading to Northbank Park.

LONG BRANCH LOOP Length: 2.0 miles • Rating: Easy. Hiking and mountain bicyclists only. From Blue Ridge travel east (toward Blairsville, GA) on GA Hwy 515, approx. 0.8 miles past intersection with GA Hwy 5. Turn Right at Windy Ridge Rd., go 0.2 miles to dead end with Old U.S. 76. Turn left, go 0.2 miles to Aska Road on right. Continue south on Aska Read 5.9miles to Shady Falls Road. Turn left, proceed 0.2 miles to parking area on left.

THREE FORKS Trail: To the left (North) on the trail is Long Creek Falls (2.3 miles round trip) . To the right is a beautiful section of old growth forest along Stover Creek. Directions: Take 52 East from Ellijay about 4.8 miles. Turn left on Big Creek Road at the Dollar General. Follow this road about 15.4 miles (the final .4 miles are dirt) to Forest Service 58 and turn Right. This road follows Noontootla Creek to Three Forks. Parking is available where the trails cross the road.

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