Blankets Creek is one of the premiere mountain bike trail systems in the Atlanta Metro Area. While perhaps not technically in the metro area (depends who you ask), this Woodstock trail is close enough to the city to draw a flood of riders up here every day of the week.
Thanks to the popularity, SORBA Woodstock has recently been able to vastly expand the parking area and add new trailhead facilities, such as flush toilets.
As for the trails themselves, Blankets Creek is an excellent example of a stacked-loop trail system. Short, flat, easy trails are accessible right from the parking lot for beginner riders, but keep heading further in and you'll experience intermediate singletrack as well as advanced trails full of rocks, jumps, berms, and some serious exposure.
While Blankets is definitely busy and can get crowded sometimes, the reputation and the popularity has been well-earned. Directional travel (depending on day) helps keep the trails from feeling too congested once you get away from the parking lot, so if you have never ridden at Blankets Creek before, be sure to carve time out of your schedule to do so!
I've been riding South Loop since it first opened over two decades ago, and it has remained the same with a few additions. You'll start on this loop no matter the designated direction, navigating some tight, winding singletrack through scrub pines. You'll then do some short technical climbs between rocks and over roots. You'll encounter a few blown-out turns that are a little tough to climb or descend, but most don't have a problem with it. In some areas, the loose rock will have you scratching for traction. There is also a set of switchbacks that is fun to go down and challenging to climb. This trail makes a nice run along a ridge that hugs the lake's shoreline in a few spots. Make some good line choices on this trail to create your own flow and you'll enjoy it.
| Thankspectacular trail , very fluid , you can go fast and have fun , really love it
| Thankhas several (4?) sections were you can choose a "intermediate" or "advanced" path , some of the advanced ones are not that tricky, you may like to try them
Better than I thought it was going to be. Plenty of challenging climbs, and good technical challenges too - hard enough to challenge, but not enough to deter me..
| ThankI love this trail. Just the right amount of climbs and minor challenges, but just a generally flowy, fun trail.
| ThankAwesome place to ride. There is something for everyone here. Expect large crowds on the weekends. It's sometimes even hard to find a parking spot it's so crowded. Even when it's crowded I've always had friendly encounters with other riders. The people have been respectful and it's a family fun atmosphere.
| ThankVery true, it's a good system but not even close to #1.
| ThankIt took me forever to get to blankets and I'm glad I finally got around to it. These are a fun set of trails with a good bit of flow and techy stuff mixed in, but I don't think the best in the metro area. I came on a Monday morning during the school year and it was plenty crowded, I'm assuming weekends are insane at this place. If you're near Woodstock I'd say this is worth trying, but if you have to contend with Atlanta highways and traffic to get up here from the south side of the metro like I did then there's better stuff closer to home and way less crowded.
| ThankFast and flowy, climbs are short and gentle. Beautiful lake views. Watch out for deer and squirrels who seem to like to share the trail, but don't quite seem to know the rules about yielding to bikes. Some occasional well marked more technical side trails let you take the difficulty up a notch if you like. My favorite trail at Blankets.
| ThankI tend to agree with you. Don't get me wrong, its a good trail system...just not the 'best in georgia'. Probably a top 10...OK.
| ThankI really believe 'Blankets' has become a name brand so to speak. That's fine with me though as it attracts the masses and keeps other, better trail systems a little less crowded.
It still deserves a 4 star rating though.
I give this trail 4 stars because it has a little bit of everything going on. This trail has good flow in many parts. This trail will force you out of your comfort zone on some of the climbs. This trail has alternate paths that have jumps and a large downed tree you can ride on. This trail seems to be longer than it is. This trail has some tight switchbacks too. It's a nice little adventure that is different from Dwelling and the South Loop which are also fun. VMT is a tough trail for some, and for others not so much. I like it because it allows me to get a taste of everything, and it is just a fun trail.
| ThankI am a local so I ride Blankets regularly. South Loop is not a flow trail nor is it a trail that is particularly fast. There are a LOT of roots and rocks with some technical climbs thrown in. However, it is a trail that will challenge your technical riding skills and aerobic capacity. I ride it often and I enjoy it. Afterwards, Dwelling Loop makes a great cool down ride!
| ThankWell used trail. Quite fun. Was able to go somewhat fast the very first time out.
| ThankA bit of mud on the lower flats. Otherwise fantastic.
| ThankThey have done some major work on this trail, with the addition of some triple black features. There are now very large gap jumps that only the most skilled dirt jumpers will be able to clear. It still remains rideable for the novice, but it's also a nice stop for the daredevil dirt jumpers as well.
| ThankGreat trail system. Trails were well marked, plenty of parking and restroom facilities are a plus. Parking lot was full when I pulled in but it didn't feel crowded out on the trail. I'm still relatively new to riding so I rode Dwelling and VMT. Both very do-able for a newer rider ready for more of a challenge. If you ride these two do the VMT first while your legs are fresh. Climbs are much more mellow on Dwelling. I plan on returning to try the south loop.
| ThankAwesome trail conditions.
| ThankEpic ????????????????????????????
| ThankGreat intermediate ride. A good mix of technical and flowy sections.
| ThankAwesome trail, not as much flow as Dwelling or Van Michael, but it is a great place to work on technical skills.
| ThankFirst time here and it did not disappoint. My boys and I stayed at a near by camp site and spent 3 days riding all the trails. Go early in the day to avoid the afterwork crowds.
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