Cochran Mill Park Serves as Georgia’s Crossroads for Cycling
Hidden in the rolling hills of South Fulton County lies Cochran Mill Park. The park serves as a crossroads for road, gravel and mtb cycling in Georgia. Cochran Mill Park is located 25 miles southwest of downtown Atlanta and is a gem of a park that offers cycling opportunities for every type of cyclist. When visiting the park, one finds it difficult to accept that the park is in Fulton County. The 800 acre park features waterfalls, forests, creeks, fields, wildlife and topography normally found in North Georgia.
More than eighteen miles of mountain bike trails are located at the park. The trails provide a progression of options for cyclists of all skill levels. Beginners often start off on the 5.7 mile yellow trail. The trail offers countless switchbacks and flow sections and is one of the most popular mtb trails at the park. Upon mastering the yellow trail, cyclists may move on to the 6.1 mile red trail. The trail provides challenging climbs and technical rock sections. The yellow and red trails run parallel to each other along opposite sides of the picturesque Bear Creek. Three and a half miles down Bear Creek one finds Henry Falls, one of the most beautiful and remote areas of the park.
The Dirty Sheets gravel route cuts through Cochran Mill Park via Upper Wooten Road. The road is gated and closed to through traffic and crosses the park from East to West towards Rico Road. Like Cochran Mill, one may find it surprising that a nearly continuous twenty loop of gravel roads is even available in Fulton County. The Dirty Sheets loop also offers other surprises including the Barn Quilt Tour. The mountain bike trails at Cochran Mill Park do close to bike traffic after excessive rain. The good news is, the Dirty Sheets Gravel loop never closes so cyclists always have an alternate option in case of rainy weather.
The Silk Sheets road cycling route cuts through the park at the park entrance along Cochran Mill Road. The 29 mile road route has been popular for cyclists for many years and cuts through the rural areas of South Fulton County. The Silk Sheets Route is utilized for a number of annual century rides including one of the largest events in Georgia, the MACC One Love Century. The Velocity Atlanta Century Ride also takes advantage of the Silk Sheets Cycling Route. The route is quite popular on the weekends as well as 10 months out of the year given the Chatt Valley’s great weather.
Tips for cycling at Cochran Mill Park: Cochran Mill Park is open 365 days a year dusk to dawn. A $5 park pass is required to enjoy the park and is available at a kiosk at the park. While the park is a great starting point for road and gravel cycling, cyclists may also start from Serenbe or the Chattahoochee Hills City Hall. Cochran Mill Park has grown in popularity for cyclists, hikers, equestrians and sightseers. The park is busiest on weekend mornings throughout the year. Looking for somewhere to go after your ride? Cochran Mill Brewery is located 15 minutes away in Fairburn, Georgia and is a welcoming spot for cyclists visiting the area.
