Map showing a winding hiking trail marked in blue, located near a body of water. The trail starts at Iron Hill Close and includes several points of interest indicated by blue dots. The map features a green marker at the trail
See all photos (4)
×
User
Today
 
  |   Rate it:

Tags:
Level: Easiest
Length: 3 mi (4.8 km)
Surface: Doubletrack
Configuration: Loop
Elevation: +71/ -46 ft
Total: 113 riders
 

Mountain Biking Red Top Mountain State Park / Iron Hills Trail

****   Add a review
#83 of 403 mountain bike trails in Georgia
#1,998 in the world

This is the only Trail designated for bikes. It is mostly double track, well maintained, old service road type trail. Most of it has one lane (of the double track) that is well ridden, and the other lane loose gravel/rocks. Very Scenic with low grade hills that wind in and out along the shores of Lake Allatoona. Picnic tables along the route. There are a few turn-offs that are kinda grown in that take you out on some penninsulas for added mileage and scenary. This is a great little trail to take beginners, spouses, and kids out for their first rides. Entry fee for the park is a couple of bucks per car. Stay of the hiking trails no matter how tempting they look (Homestead trail is a nice looking singletrack), the park is pretty well patrolled.

First added by sandm96 on Oct 15, 2006. Last updated May 9, 2020. → add an update
Before you go
  • Drinking water: unknown
  • Lift service: unknown
  • Night riding: unknown
  • Pump track: unknown
  • Restrooms: unknown
  • 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 Atlanta, take I-75 North, Exit 286 (I think)--just follow the "Red Top Mountain State Park" signs from the Interstate. Once in the park, stop at the office, pick up a map.


Red Top Mountain State Park / Iron Hills Trail Trail map

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

Local Info

Club Sponsor

Local Bike Shop

Trail checkins

Upcoming Events

None.
Add one

Trail conditions

Dry (Sep 18, 2020)
login to update

Camping & Lodging

Coming soon!

Red Top Mountain State Park / Iron Hills Trail videos

Add a video
We don't have any videos of this trail yet. Add one here.

More trail photos




Mountain Bike Trails Near Cartersville, Georgia

***
Intermediate | 4 mi
****
Expert | 0 mi

Add a review

Rating
 
Difficulty
 
Review

Reviews

  • actiongarrett
    ****

    Family friendly gravel trail around what was once a campground on the lake. There can be lots of foot traffic, but walkers are easily avoided. Nothing technical, but a good place to build stamina and enjoy being outside. There are several picnic areas and beaches to take a rest.

    Reply | Thank
  • spc7669

    Easy gravel double track with some great views. The biggest downside is the parking fee. Good for a quick workout.

    Reply | Thank
  • banglea89
    ****

    Extremely easy trail, with beautiful setting around a lake.

    Reply | Thank
  • B.Anderson_
    ****

    very easy fire road like double track. Great place for the family for a quick stamina ride before work !

    Reply | Thank
  • Schell21
    ***

    Easy double track trail, nothing really exciting. Its nice to go to after a heavy rain and there are some other hiking only trails you can sneak into if you get bored riding in a circle. 5 bucks to park.

    Reply | Thank
  • Matt Brinkman
    **

    This is everyone's bad weather trail. gravel/service road. Nothing to challenge you, great for newbies.

    can take some of the hiking trails that tie into this and just plead ignorance is caught by rangers.

    Only downside is the $5 parking fee

    Reply | Thank
  • LucindaInGA
    *****

    This trail is perfect for what it is: a great beginner trail or a place to ride when conditions are too wet elsewhere. Great cardio workout if you do several laps. Excellent alternative to a road ride. I hardly see anyone on this trail. Great for beginners and families. Nothing technical at all.

    Reply | Thank
  • Frank_C
    ****

    As many have said before me, this is a good alternative when other local trails are too wet or muddy to ride. Most of the trail is double track, gravel. There is very little rise and fall. All of the creek crossings are over bridges, so even after a good rain, you're not slogging through mud.
    Even on cold, miserable days, this park appears to be more utilized than I would have expected. Therefore, be mindful about your speed relative to your sight lines around corners and such.

    Reply | Thank
  • nvrenf   ✓ supporter
    ***

    Perfect mileage alternative when your favorite trail is too wet to ride. Multiple laps will give you a good workout.

    Reply | Thank
  • t135
    *****

    The summary of this trail is correct. Great place to bring the family. Excellent scenery and perfect for building confidence for kids, wives and beginners in general. Also a nice relaxing ride for experienced riders.

    No technical features at all. Has good flow with one or two short challenging hills. We spent four hours including two stops to play in the lake.

    Will do it again with the family. Hope they lengthen the trail beyond the four miles.

    Reply | Thank

  • ****

    Been riding here over 6 yrs and....

    Theres more than the gravel double track in Iron Hill area. At about half way point on 3.9 mi loop go UP thru pine thicket and then up again to the "upper loop". Maintained by park & some riders. Some significant climbs & fast single trx. One v steep trail that accesses a remote beach area.... The upper trails branch in several directions and offer the serious rider a remote trail experience. But lets dont tell everyone about this.

    Eventually the gravel loop will run the entire perimeter of the IH Peninsula. Waiting on Fed Funding.... Will be 12 miles of gravel loop. Orig plan was for all asphalt. Glad that didnt happen.

    Upper loop pics soon!

    Happy Trails!

    Reply | Thank
  • inbody06
    **

    Good trail to get some miles in on ,very easy fast however hikers look at you funny if your blasting down the trails , its pretty much all double track, the best single track here belongs to the hikers im not telling you to ride on the hikers trails as you may get thrown out of the park but i know they are tempting

    Reply | Thank
  • nrhule
    *****

    The Iron Hills Trail is great for beginners or people wanting a workout with some great scenery! This trail is not at all technical, but is great for riding and having a conversation on a lazy Sunday afternoon.

    I would recommend this trail for people just starting out in mountain biking and wanting to get in shape or a family ride with the kids. There is a $5 parking fee, unless you get the GA State Park Pass.

    Reply | Thank
  • GoldenGoose
    **

    Agree with the last review by GMM. Family friendly, beginner trail good for logging miles and checking out the lake. Too bad none of the trail is singletrack. Decent rocks and contours in the area. If you are in the area with kids or family, it's worth your time.

    Reply | Thank
  • gmm
    ***

    While I agree with the others that this is potentially a great fast ride, IMHO this should be treated primarily as a family ride area. We usually take the comfort/hybrid bikes and just enjoy being outside in the beautiful lake setting. Being bi-directional and multi-use combined with some blind corners and slippery footing, barreling headlong around this trail is a recipe for disaster. Walkers, joggers, dogs, kids, swimmers, etc. are all enjoying this very scenic state park area. Great for logging some miles in rhythm - but keep your head and be considerate of the other trail users. * Review edited 7/9/2010

    Reply | Thank
  • zippyzap68.5
    ***

    This one is very close to home. Free parking on Wednesday, 5$ fee per car other days. A begineer trail for sure but as previously suggested fun and challenging for more experienced riders if ridden fast. so overall a good trail; something for everybody.* Review edited 5/5/2010

    Reply | Thank
  • Rotkohl
    ***

    Iron Hill Trail – 3.9 mile loop
    Gravel surface, 65 feet elevation change
    Winter is a good time to ride this trail since leaves do not obstruct views of the lake and rock outcrops. The trail is 10 feet wide and has a gravel base. It passes an open iron mine, core wash station, a tailings feature, and the shoreline of Allatoona Lake. There are many different native plants and wildlife to be viewed along the way.

    Reply | Thank
  • fastcat

    This trail is now back open. 10/21/09 Not sure of its condition until I ride it this weekend.

    Reply | Thank
  • fastcat
    ****

    This is really not a challenging trail but I wish more serious riders would bike it because if you go flat out it is really fun. If you hit the apex of the turns and lean into the corners you will truely appreciate this course. I consider it a true cross trainer...not quite a single track, not quite a road course. It is just under 4 miles long and I usually do 5 laps in around 16-19 minutes each. It will give you a great workout if you do it under 20 min. The scenery is really where its at, with lake views at every corner. The only annoying thing is the occasional hiker with their dogs* Review edited 10/8/2009

    Reply | Thank

Rider questions