Length: 7.11 miles
Drive Time From Athens: 45-50 minutes
Total Elevation Gain: 878 ft
Please note: The city of Conyers charges a $5 fee for use of the mountain bike trail.
Host of the 24 Hours of Adrenalin and a yearly GAP race, the International Horse Park trail was originally built to host XC Mountain Biking events in the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. Mountain Biking became an Olypic sport for the first time on this property; Paola Pezzo walked away with Gold and Alison Sydor took silver in the womens events, while Bart Brentjens of the Netherlands took the men's category by almost three minutes.
Since the Olympics, the trail has been rerouted in spots to make it more sustainable, and the total distance increased by nearly a mile under the guidance of Mike Riter, professional trailbuilder, SORBA member and original member of the Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crew.
Horse trails cross the mountain bike trail in spots, so be mindful of potential equestrian traffic. If you encounter a horse, dismount, speak to the rider (this calms horses) and walk past on the downhill side of the horse. All crossings of horse and mountain bike trails are clearly marked.
The trail is split up into two sections, the front or River section, and the back, or Granite. As such, it can also be ridden as a 3.4 or 3.7 mile loop if desired.
Topo Map:
Elevation Profile:
How to Get There:
Take 78 West from Athens toward Monroe (approx 20 mins). At Monroe take the exit for GA Route 138 South toward Conyers. After approx 30 mins, take a left onto Centennial Olympic Parkway (you will see a sign for the Georgia International Horse Park. Trailhead is 2 miles on right.