Aska Trail System

I started this brutal climb at the Deep Gap parking lot off Aska Road. The first section up to the Flat Creek intersection was the steepest and it didn't get much easier after that. Less steep but more roots and washout. After an approximately 1000 ft elevation gain in 2.5 miles at the intersection of the Benton MacKaye trail I decided to turn around. The downhill was a blast but I was riding alone so I was cautious as you can gain some serious speed. Rode this on a short travel 29er, next time I be taking my Ripmo. One of the most difficult climbs in Georgia but well worth the effort. If this trail is rated intermediate then most trail in Georgia should be rated beginner.

Awesome trail with lots of stream crossings, waterfalls and streams

Stanley Gap is classic Appalachian trail that runs the ridge before plummeting down trail, steep, rooty, and loose, to the parking lot below. The climb in the beginning maybe a little brutal, but believe me, it is well worth it (especially if you continue your descent onto the flowy Green Mountain Trail).

Started from Aska Trails car park 171 Shady Falls Rd & rode it clockwise as advised, along the gravel road which runs beside the river. Total distance was 13.8 miles. Approx 3 miles asphalt. 3 miles gravel. 8 miles singletrack. Most of the uphill is the first 8 miles (asphalt/gravel & singletrack). The last 2 miles of singletrack, back to the car park, is a gentle uphill. I will try it counter_clockwise to see which i prefer, but most ppl recommend clockwise. The singletrack is narrow, with roots & stones, but all rideable if you are not a novice. It is one of the harder trails cardo wise in North Georgia, slightly harder than Jake/Bull mtn, but it is shorter & used the same energy as the 30 mile Jake Mtn loop. Overall Stanley Gap loop is a great ride.

I had a great time at Aska the first week of October. Well maintained, fun trail system w/some long climbs and speedy descents. I rode almost everything over 2 days.

Downhills are fun-tastic, climbs are long and will tedt you.

Lots of fun going down but you earn every bit of it on the climbs.

I really enjoyed this trail system. Good mix of technical climbing with long sustained climbs. The reward was a blast coming down the long descents. I rode Stanley Gap to the first summit and Flat Creek. We crossed the road and rode Green Mtn. It was a Ton of Fun.

Fun trail to add with Stanley Gap and Flat Creek. Much smoother than the other trails in the area. Very few, if any, technical features. The descent down to the lake is awesome, but the flip side is a tough climb back out.

Some of the best riding in North Georgia! Stanley Gap is extremely hard - but rewarding - in either direction. You get brutally steep climbs and equally tough descents. Flat Creek has a really fun downhill when ridden CCW. If you ride it CW, the descent is on double track. Green Mountain has some flowier trails, particularly the one that goes down to the lake. It's worth the trip, but it's a stout climb out. 1,000' of elevation from the lake to Aska Road in just a couple miles.

I did the Flats Creek Loop from the Deep Gap parking lot on Aska Road. Super fun trail that starts with nice climb from parking lot that is followed by a equally long downhill into a very scenic little valley with a bridge. After that, I took a approx. 1 mile climb back to the parking lot. The last one mile climb out of the valley was the toughest climb for me on the Flat Creek loop. Tough, but fun and a good workout. This trail is used by hikers and a good number of trail runners but never seems crowded. Overall it is a great trail.

Loved it! This trail system was great in my opinion!! Stayed in Blue Ridge two summers ago on a family vacation and this was the best system in the area! Loved the climbing and decents! Well worth a trip if you are in the area!

Trail is close to Blue Ridge area. We rode it as an out and back without hitting Stanley Gap to avoid a long return on Aska road and we were pressed for time. Pedal up from the parking lot to the top before turning around and enjoying a fun bomb back down. Some challenging root areas and curves but not too much trouble for the average rider IMO There were a few short steep pitches that had our Florida legs screaming. Watch out for hikers too.

Awesome trail that is really flowing. Make sure and go left at the fork. Great for an evening after work when you don't have a lot of time. Can be ridden 3 times easily in 1 hour.

Not enough reward for all the climbing. Many riders choose to do this one as an out-and-back so you're almost guaranteed to encounter opposing traffic on your descent.

A decent trail system with some grueling climbs and some looooong sustained decents. Stanley Gap trail is the real deal - bring your climbing lungs and legs. This used to be a hiking trail up the mountain, and you can tell. It is steep in spots with some rocks and roots mixed in for good measure. The steep spots can be difficult if it is damp, you can easily spin out and lose traction on wet roots/rocks in low gear trying to climb the steep stuff. Once you make it to the top though, you get rewarded by a great sustained downhill with some chunk thrown in some spots. Flat creek loop was some great downhill fun too. Do this loop counter clockwise to get the most fun. It starts with fireroad climbs and then turns into a swoopy downhill with several rocky creek crossings and some woops and rocks to launch off of, then a steep climb out. Other trails were decent fun too, and worth making some out and back offshoots.

Such a great descent! You have to work for it though. Some people ride it as an out and back. I prefer to ride it as a loop though.

Park at the Deep Gap lot on Aska Road. Turn right on Aska Road out of the parking lot. Stay on Aska Road for a few miles to Stanley Creek Road. Eventually the pavement will turn to gravel and will begin climbing.

And you'll keep climbing. Eventually, you'll take a right and get on the trail. Cross the Benton MacKaye Trail and keep climbing.

The climbing just gets steeper and steeper. Eventually you'll top out and then you'll rip down the mountain. The descent is legit. Chunky and fast.

Add the Flat Creek Loop at the bottom before heading back to the parking lot. That'll give you a 15ish mile ride with about 3000 feet of climbing.

These trails are some hidden gems. They remind me of bull/Jake mountain. Long climbs and some good downhill. They had lots of spider webs so they aren't used much, but they are worn in well. Mark great. I'll definitely be back!

Park at trailhead on Aska Road. The first section is the hardest climbing up to the second Flat Branch Connector. Not so bad after that but be prepared for technical sections of inclines and roots. Overall one of the tougher trails in the area. Got some pics here on my Flickr photostream that I took while hiking: http://flic.kr/p/p5CaFV

I used to ride this regularly as part of a long loop training ride. I would park my jeep on the southern trailhead on Rock Creek / Stanley Gap Road. I would take Rock Creek Road to Aska Road. Then right on Shady Falls Road. Then Long Branch to Green Mountain. Here there is a choice. Ride directly to the Stanley Gap trailhead or continue on the Green Mountain trail system. I eventually worked my way back out to Aska Road north of the parking lot / trailhead for Stanley Gap. This requires riding south a ways on Aska Road to get to the Stanley Gap Trailhead. Then the real work begins on Stanley Gap.

Flat creek to green mountain is a great part 1. Then recommend a break before climbing Stanley gap, straight 2.5 mi climb up the ridgeline!