If you have been off-roading or overlanding in Georgia for a while you probably already know this, but ATL is actually close to many trails across some of the most beautiful landscapes in the south. If you live near Atlanta, you should have no problem finding trails worth driving to. You might even decide to explore some of the mountain towns near by and make a weekend of it.
Here are our top 6 trails close to Atlanta:
Beasley Knob OHV Trails
Located a couple hours north of Atlanta, Beasley Knob is definitely for more experienced drivers. It will throw some pretty challenging terrain your way, including some steep climbs and ascents through the 10.4 mile stretch. With that said, if you are looking for some trails close by that might test some limits of your rig, Beasley Knob will not disappoint. Just make sure you understand what you are getting into beforehand.
DIFFICULTY: High
RAIL LENGTH: 10.4 miles
DRIVE TIME FROM ATL: 2 hours
Currahee Mountain Trail
Currahee Mountain Trail might be a better option for beginners or those looking for a more peaceful trail with some history. It’s about 6 miles long and is basically a rough dirt road going up the mountain, but it was actually used in WW2 for training as soldiers had to hike the trail on foot (we recommend a Lexus or Toyota 4×4)! The payoff for reaching the top at Currahee is the view. It’s always a great spot to park the 4×4 and take it all in for a moment before plunging back down.
DIFFICULTY: Low
RAIL LENGTH: 6 miles
DRIVE TIME FROM ATL: 1.5 hours
Sarah Creek Road
Located close to Clayton GA, Sarah Creek is another good option for beginners. It’s a beautiful 9 mile ride with multiple waterfalls and water crossings. It makes for a really fun trail that probably won’t break your rig. Just make sure you have enough ground clearance due to the water and possible large rocks along the way.
DIFFICULTY: Low
RAIL LENGTH: 9 miles
DRIVE TIME FROM ATL: 2.25 hours
Horseshoe Ridge Road
Located near Dahlonega, Horseshoe Ridge is another trail suited for beginners. The only real issue here is the rocks, so having some decent clearance underneath might be a good idea. Other than that most won’t have any issues here. They actually don’t even require 4×4 to access the trail. The best part of this trail is its proximity to Dahlonega and the option to camp on the trail. It’s the perfect trail to make a weekend trip out of.
DIFFICULTY: Low
RAIL LENGTH: 8.2 miles
DRIVE TIME FROM ATL: 2 hours
Rocky Flats OHV Trail
Coming in at just over 4 miles, Rocky Flats is one of the shorter trails on this list, but that doesn’t mean it’s not worth the drive. It’s a really fun trail that offers regular elevation changes throughout with plenty of mud and rocks along the way. It does have moderate difficulty so true beginners might want to hold off on this one. They also allow ATVs and dirt bikes, but most traffic will be 4×4 vehicles due to the lack of parking.
DIFFICULTY: Moderate
RAIL LENGTH: 4 miles
DRIVE TIME FROM ATL: 2.5 hours
Tray Mountain Road
Tray Mountain Rd is another great trail you could make a weekend out of. It’s located just north of Helen Ga, which is a perfect place to take a break and explore for the day. You can also camp on the trail if you want or need to stay the night. The trail itself goes up Tray Mountain to Tray gap, which has a small parking area and intersects with the Appalachian Trail.
DIFFICULTY: Easy to Moderate
RAIL LENGTH: 15.6 miles
DRIVE TIME FROM ATL: 2.25 hours
Don’t see your favorite trail here? Leave a comment below!
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