Must-Ride Mountain Bike Trails in West Georgia
Beginners and experts alike will love exploring the trails at Allatoona Creek Mountain Bike Park in Acworth.
I met up with mountain bike trail designer Ethan Quehl to check out the latest addition to Allatoona Creek Mountain Bike Park in Acworth, a fun quarter-mile downhill called Mo Flow. This expert-rated ride is jam-packed with jumps, rollers and berms. While it is rated expert, Ethan is quick to point out that Mo Flow is designed for everyone. Advanced riders take advantage of Mo Flow’s features to get some air and hone riding skills. But, cruising Mo Flow nice and easy is just as much fun for an intermediate biker.
Mo Flow, and the rest of the Allatoona Creek trails are maintained by West Georgia SORBA (Southern Off-Road Bicycle Association), a volunteer organization that hosts trail work parties, special events, and trains bike patrols for trail emergencies. Trail work volunteers meet Saturdays and earn perks for their commitment to maintaining the trails.
Get involved in this great community and check out some of the following mountain bike trails in West Georgia.
Rusty Bucket + Mason’s Bridge Connector – Allatoona Creek (Beginner): This 1.5-mile trail is the perfect place for families to discover mountain biking fun. Last time I rode Rusty Bucket, I spotted a preschooler on a balance bike! With virtually no elevation change and toned down trail features, this easy ride helps new bikers develop the basic skills of mountain biking.
Turtleback – Allatoona Creek (Intermediate): This is four miles of fast-flowing trail loaded with short climbs and great drops. The trail makes great use of the terrain spreading out the elevation change without many technical obstacles. Turtleback makes a great step up from beginner.
Mt. Tabor Park (Beginner to intermediate): The stacked loop trail system includes shorter beginner loops as well as more advanced longer trails. Pine Pong takes beginners on a mostly level ride through the pines, while Rocks of Doom tests bikers with 1.7 miles of rock garden that leads into the park’s most challenging trail, Booger.
Skills to pay bills – Clinton Nature Preserve (Expert): A favorite among local experts, this short and sweet track challenges bikers at every turn with a log ride and rocky terrain. Riding downhill offers a 109-foot descent, which becomes one of the most difficult climbs at Clinton in the other direction.
Voodoo – Allatoona Creek (Expert): A demanding three miles of minimally maintained trail with a primitive feel, Voodoo twists and turns offering advanced log and rock features, creek crossing, and fast flow segments that challenge skilled riders. Voodoo is at the top of the 2-mile Mumbo Jumbo loop.
Whippersnapper – Allatoona Creek (Expert): Controversy surrounds this short track… is it long enough to count as a trail? Either way, it’s a local favorite with unique technical features that pack a punch and make it very different from other trails.
