Georgia road guide
The best motorcycle roads in Georgia
The best motorcycle roads in Georgia climb over the Blue Ridge in the north: Wolf Pen Gap, Hogpen Gap on the Richard B. Russell Scenic Highway, Unicoi Gap, Neels Gap and Woody Gap, all within an hour of each other. Add Fort Mountain and Lookout Mountain in the northwest, Pine Mountain and Providence Canyon in the west, and US 17 on the coast. Here are 14 classics, with why each is worth it, what to watch for and the best season.
- Roads listed
- 14
- Regions
- 4
- Highest point
- Brasstown Bald, 4,784 ft
- Check before you go
- 511 Georgia
Before you pick
How to use this list of the best motorcycle roads in Georgia
Most of Georgia's great riding sits in one corner. The Blue Ridge runs across the top of the state, and the old roads cross it through low passes the locals call gaps. Each gap road is short, so riders link several into a loop and ride a different one every day. Outside the mountains, Georgia's roads are about history, lakes and marsh more than corners.
Mountain roads change with the weather. Shaded corners hold wet leaves, gravel and ice, and storms can wash debris across the pavement. Check 511 Georgia before a long day, and see the best time to ride a motorcycle in Georgia for the season by region. The Georgia motorcycle rides hub has the overview, and our North Georgia ride guide maps full loops.
North Georgia mountains
The gap roads
- 1. Wolf Pen Gap Road (GA 180)Why: Nonstop tight corners between Suches and Vogel State Park, with Lake Winfield Scott halfway. It's the most technical road in the area and the one Georgia riders talk about most. Ride it both directions; it feels like two different roads. Watch for: Bumpy patches, blind corners and cars that wander over the line. Best season: April to early November.
- 2. Hogpen Gap (GA 348)Why: The Richard B. Russell Scenic Highway climbs out of the Nacoochee Valley north of Helen to Hogpen Gap, where the Appalachian Trail crosses, then sweeps down toward GA 180. Long climbs, wide sweepers and big overlooks. Watch for: Clouds sitting on the gap, bicycles crawling uphill in your lane, and nowhere to buy gas or food along the way. Best season: April to November.
- 3. Unicoi Gap (GA 75)Why: North from Helen, the alpine-themed town on the Chattahoochee, up to Unicoi Gap and down toward Hiawassee and Lake Chatuge. Unicoi State Park and Anna Ruby Falls are a short detour. Watch for: Helen's traffic, river tubers crossing in summer and Oktoberfest crowds in the fall. Best season: April to November, weekdays.
- 4. Neels Gap (US 129)Why: US 129 winds up the flank of Blood Mountain to the stone Walasi-Yi building at Neels Gap, a famous stop for thru-hikers on the Appalachian Trail, then down past Vogel State Park and Lake Trahlyta toward Blairsville. Smooth, flowing and well kept. Watch for: Hikers crossing at the gap, heavy weekend traffic and enforcement. Best season: Year-round on dry days.
- 5. Woody Gap and Suches (GA 60)Why: North out of Dahlonega over Woody Gap to Suches, a valley town that has been a rider hangout for decades, then on through the forest toward Morganton and Blue Ridge. Watch for: Light and shadow flicker under the trees, corners that tighten and slow traffic on the climbs. Best season: April to November.
- 6. Brasstown Bald (GA 180 Spur)Why: A short, very steep climb toward the top of Georgia, 4,784 feet. From the lot, a steep paved trail or a shuttle takes you to the summit, where on a clear day you can see into four states. Watch for: Steep grades, tight turns, fall leaf traffic and cold, wind and fog at the top. Best season: May to October.
Rabun County
The northeast corner
- 7. Warwoman RoadWhy: East from Clayton through the Chattahoochee National Forest toward the Chattooga River, a quiet ride with steady curves, creeks and almost no traffic. Link it to GA 28 for a loop. Watch for: Narrow pavement, gravel at forest road entrances and deer. Best season: April to November.
- 8. US 441 and Tallulah GorgeWhy: US 441 north toward Clayton passes Tallulah Falls and Tallulah Gorge State Park, a deep gorge Karl Wallenda walked across on a tightrope in 1970. Stop at the overlooks on the rim. Watch for: Busy four-lane traffic on the main highway, and tourists turning into the park. Best season: Spring and fall.
Northwest Georgia
Fort Mountain, Lookout Mountain and the ridges
- 9. Fort Mountain (GA 52)Why: Switchbacks up the west face from Chatsworth past Fort Mountain State Park, known for its ancient stone wall, then down to Ellijay. Keep going east on GA 52 and you reach Amicalola Falls, the tallest waterfall in Georgia. Watch for: Tight hairpins, slow trucks on the climb and apple season traffic around Ellijay in the fall. Best season: April to November.
- 10. Cloudland Canyon and Lookout Mountain (GA 136)Why: GA 136 climbs Lookout Mountain east of Trenton to Cloudland Canyon State Park, with an overlook into a deep canyon. From there, roads along the top of the mountain run north toward Rock City and Chattanooga. Watch for: Deer, wet leaves under the trees and steep grades. Best season: April to November.
- 11. Ridge and Valley Scenic BywayWhy: A national scenic byway loop north of Rome through the long, parallel ridges of the Chattahoochee National Forest, past Keown Falls and the Pocket. Quiet roads and a different landscape from the Blue Ridge. Watch for: The Johns Mountain overlook spur is gravel, plus farm traffic and deer. Best season: Spring and fall.
West Georgia and the coast
Pine Mountain, Providence Canyon and US 17
- 12. Pine Mountain (GA 190)Why: A ridge-top road through F.D. Roosevelt State Park, past Dowdell Knob, one of Franklin Roosevelt's favorite spots, near Warm Springs and Callaway Gardens. The best curves south of Atlanta. Watch for: Deer, cyclists and park traffic. Best season: March to May, October to November.
- 13. Providence Canyon (near Lumpkin)Why: Ride the farm roads of southwest Georgia to Providence Canyon State Park, a set of eroded canyons in pink, orange and red soil, sometimes called Georgia's Little Grand Canyon. Watch for: Long gaps between towns, farm equipment and summer heat. Best season: October to April.
- 14. US 17 and the Golden IslesWhy: US 17 runs from Savannah south through marsh country and Darien to Brunswick, with causeways out to St. Simons Island and Jekyll Island, where Driftwood Beach is worth the stop. Watch for: Heat, afternoon storms, low island speed limits and the vehicle fee at the Jekyll Island gate. Best season: October to May.
Link them up
Georgia loops that string the roads together
The Six Gap loop links Neels, Jacks, Unicoi, Hogpen, Wolf Pen and Woody gaps on US 129, GA 180, GA 75, GA 348 and GA 60. Start in Dahlonega, Helen or Blairsville and give it a full day with stops. It's also a famous cycling route, and a big organized bike ride uses it in late September, so check the date before you go.
The Russell-Brasstown Scenic Byway is a shorter loop of about 40 miles from Helen over Unicoi Gap, Jacks Gap and Hogpen Gap. The Tail of the Dragon on US 129 at Deals Gap, on the North Carolina and Tennessee line, is a few hours north if you want to add it to a trip. For more loops with maps, see the North Georgia ride guide.
Summary
Georgia motorcycle roads at a glance
| Road | Region | Best season |
|---|---|---|
| Wolf Pen Gap (GA 180) | North Georgia | Apr to early Nov |
| Hogpen Gap (GA 348) | North Georgia | Apr to Nov |
| Unicoi Gap (GA 75) | North Georgia | Apr to Nov |
| Neels Gap (US 129) | North Georgia | Year-round, dry days |
| Woody Gap and Suches (GA 60) | North Georgia | Apr to Nov |
| Brasstown Bald | North Georgia | May to Oct |
| Warwoman Road | Northeast corner | Apr to Nov |
| US 441 and Tallulah Gorge | Northeast corner | Spring and fall |
| Fort Mountain (GA 52) | Northwest | Apr to Nov |
| Cloudland Canyon (GA 136) | Northwest | Apr to Nov |
| Ridge and Valley Scenic Byway | Northwest | Spring and fall |
| Pine Mountain (GA 190) | West | Spring and fall |
| Providence Canyon | Southwest | Oct to Apr |
| US 17 and the Golden Isles | Coast | Oct to May |
In the app
Put Georgia's roads on the Rippin' map
If a Georgia road you love isn't in Rippin' yet, add it. Ride it with Rippin' recording, then open Segments and tap Create a Segment: drop a start gate and a finish gate and trace the line. A person on our team checks it, it goes live with your name on it, and every rider who rides through it after that lands on its board. See segments and leaderboards.
Rippin' never rewards speed on public roads, and the gap roads are no place to chase a number. A board is about who owns the road and who rides it. A loop like Six Gap also closes, so the land inside becomes your turf on the live map. Below is what's on the Georgia map in the app right now.
Live from the app
Georgia on Rippin' right now.
26 upcoming events and 0 rider-added roads in Georgia on the map today. This list updates whenever the site is rebuilt; the app always has the latest.
- Sun Nov 1Al Millard Memorial Walker County Toy Run (Stocking Full of Love)Rossville
- Tue Nov 3Buck Jones Toy Run November Bike NightDawsonville
- Sat Nov 7Unknown Customs Block PartyOakwood
- Sat Nov 7Harley-Davidson of Macon Veterans Day PartyMacon
- Sat Nov 7KU4Kids Benefit RideWarner Robins
- Sat Nov 75th annual Vintage Bike ShowSavannah
- Sat Nov 7Thanksgiving Food Drive Car and Bike ShowWinder
- Sat Nov 725th Annual Monroe County Moose Lodge Toy RunForsyth
- Sun Nov 812th Annual Suwanee Classic Car & Bike ShowSuwanee
- Sat Nov 14Vixens & V8s Car & Motorcycle ShowWinder
- Sat Nov 14Two Wheels to Heal Motorcycle ShowCartersville
- Sat Nov 14Hometown Heroes and Hotrods Car and Bike ShowSugar Hill
- Sat Nov 21Garage Night at Savannah Harley-DavidsonSavannah
- Sat Nov 2115th Annual Turkey Run Charity RideSmyrna
- Sat Nov 28Effingham Toy RunSpringfield
Showing the next 15 of 26. See every meet on the live map.
No Georgia roads are in the app yet. Add the one you love from Segments and a person on our team checks it before it goes live. How roads get added.
FAQ
Questions riders ask.
What is the best motorcycle road in Georgia?
Wolf Pen Gap Road (GA 180) is the most technical, and the Richard B. Russell Scenic Highway over Hogpen Gap has the best views. Riding the Six Gap loop covers both in one day.
Where are the best motorcycle roads near Atlanta?
The closest mountain riding starts around Dahlonega, about an hour or more north. To the west, GA 52 over Fort Mountain, and to the south, GA 190 over Pine Mountain, make good day rides.
What is the Six Gap loop?
A mountain loop that crosses Neels, Jacks, Unicoi, Hogpen, Wolf Pen and Woody gaps on US 129, GA 180, GA 75, GA 348 and GA 60. It takes most of a day with stops.
Is Wolf Pen Gap good for new riders?
It's tight and technical, so build up to it. Start with US 129 over Neels Gap or GA 60 to Suches, which flow better, and come back to Wolf Pen when you're comfortable.
How far is the Tail of the Dragon from Georgia?
Deals Gap, on US 129 at the North Carolina and Tennessee line, is a few hours north of the Georgia mountains. Many riders add it to a North Georgia trip.
Can I add a Georgia road to Rippin'?
Yes. Any rider can add a road with Create a Segment. A person on the Rippin' team checks it before it goes live, and your name stays on it.
Put a Georgia gap on the map.
Download Rippin' free, ride one of these roads with it recording and add it. Your name stays on it.
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