A white and black mountain bike resting on a dirt trail surrounded by autumn foliage. In the background, there are two signs: one indicating bike direction and operating days, and the other displaying a map of the trails. The ground is covered in dry leaves, and trees with bare branches are visible in the wooded area. Sope Creek mountain bike trail.
See all photos (45)
×
User
Today
 
  |   Rate it:

Tags:
Level: Intermediate
Length: 9 mi (14.5 km)
Surface: Singletrack
Configuration: Network
Elevation: +342/ -315 ft
Total: 522 riders
 

Mountain Biking Sope Creek

****   Add a review
#27 of 403 mountain bike trails in Georgia
#878 in the world

With around 9 miles of intermediate trails, Sope Creek is one of the most accessible MTB trails near the city of Atlanta. The trail is directional, depending on the day, and form a figure 8 with a bidirectional connector between the top and bottom loops. The top loop, around 2 miles, is flat and perfect for an experienced intermediate and above. The 7 miles bottom loop (also known as Cochran Shoals) is intermediate with flowy, hilly and rocky sections that will give you a good workout. Watch your 10mph speed limit and be friendly to hikers and dogs since this trail gets busy on weekends.

Three parking areas, all with a $3 daily fee, are convenient depending on where you are driving from. From the Cochran Shoals and Columns Drive parking areas, follow a quarter mile gravel road until you find the trailhead and go uphill to view the day's direction. From the Paper Mill Road parking area go downhill on the gravel trail past Sibley Pond to main trailhead map. Bathroom and water facilities located at the Cochran Shoals parking area nearest I285.

First added by alvin.santoy on Jan 1, 2003. Last updated May 10, 2020. → add an update
Before you go
  • Drinking water: yes
  • Lift service: unknown
  • Night riding: unknown
  • Pump track: unknown
  • Restrooms: yes
  • Fat bike grooming: unknown
  • E-bikes allowed: unknown
  • Fee required: unknown
This trail information is user-generated. Help improve this information by suggesting a correction.
Getting there
From GA 400 southbound take Abernathy exit. Turn right on Abernathy. Travel about two miles on Abernathy to Johnsons Ferry Rd. Turn right onto Johnson's Ferry. Go past the river and turn left onto Paper Mill road, the second intersection after the river. Go about two miles and turn left into the parking lot marked by the brown Chatahoochee River Recreation Area signs. Alternate: From 285, exit Northside Drive (stay north of 285). From east, take right onto Interstate N Pky-looks like you are going into office park, but otherwise you just get back on 285. From west, left on new northside, cross 285 and stay straight into Interstate N Pky (basically u-turn). Turn into parking lot immediately after river. Make donation. Don't be fooled by number of cars-mostly hikers.


Sope Creek Trail map

Add to or improve this map // Share this map on your website

Local Info

Trail checkins

Upcoming Events

None.
Add one

Trail conditions

Good (4 days ago)
login to update

Camping & Lodging

Coming soon!

Sope Creek videos

Add a video
I NAILED This ⚠️ | DOWN…
 
I EARNED My Scars & Screws…
 
These videos have been shared by members of the Singletracks community. Report inappropriate content here.

Mountain Bike Trails Near Sandy Springs, Georgia

****
Beginner | 0.5 mi
*****
Intermediate | 0.3 mi
***
Easiest | 6 mi
| 1.2 mi

Add a review

Rating
 
Difficulty
 
Review

Reviews

    Loading reviews...

Rider questions

Q: Is there a parking fee? Can I use my Chattahoochee River pass to park?

Q: So if I get on at Cochran Shoals and ride up toward Sope Creek, does that mean I can't return to Cochran Shoals the way I came up?I am confused, obviously. What are the rules for riding from Cochran Shoals. There iOS only one entry point.
A: Yes - I always park at Cochran Shoals and ride up to the southern entrance of the trail. There are two loops connected by a bi-directional section in the middle. If you ride the whole trail you will connect back to where you started and can ride down to the parking lot where you came from easily.