Open year-round, the Aska Trails Area offers hikers and mountain bikers 18 miles of
trails from climbs to the tops of ridges to paths along the shores of
Lake Blue Ridge.
The five trails included in the area are the 5.5 mile Stanley Gap trail, 5.7 mile
Flat Creek Loop Trail, 4.6 mile Green Mountain Trail (Upper and Lower sections), 2 mile
Long Branch Loop Trail and .8 mile Green Mountain/ Long Branch Connector trail.
Ratings for the trails for hiking vary from easy (Long Branch Loop Trail) to strenuous (Upper
Green Mountain Trail) and most trails offer single track for bikers. During winter months clear, cool weather allows for views of distant
mountains.
Visitors can spend anywhere from 15-20 minutes on a trail to 3-5 hours riding or hiking the entire area. All weather paved or dirt/gravel roads offer access to each of the 4 trailheads in the area.
Some trails do require stream crossings.
Visitors should be careful not to cause too much damage to streambeds and surrounding areas if crossing on bikes. During winter months water may be cold and users should take care to avoid getting wet while crossing streams since this could lead to an increased risk for cold weather injuries such as hypothermia.
Directions from the Toccoa Ranger District Office in Blue Ridge (GA) to the trailheads:
Deep Gap - From McDonald’s restaurant at intersection of GA Hwy 515 and GA Hwy 5 in
Blue Ridge. Go east on GA Hwy 515 (toward Blairsville) approximately 0.8 miles to Windy Ridge Road. At Windy Ridge Road turn right, go 0.2 miles to dead end with old U.S. 76. Turn left, go 0.2 miles to Aska Road on the right. Turn right, go south 4.4 miles to Deep Gap parking area below gap on the right side of road.
Stanley Gap - Go south on Aska Road 8 miles. Turn right on paved road (Toccoa Riverside restaurant on left). Parking area for trail is 4.1 miles on right.
Forest Road 711 - Drive south on Aska Road for 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, trailhead 2.0 miles.
Shady Falls - Follow Aska Road south 5.9 miles to Shady Falls Road. Turn left, go 0.2 miles, parking area on left.
Fees and
Pass information are available here.
*** Information provided by the US Forest Service ***
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