The Noontootla Loop is a 20-mile gravel road loop with a little bit of pavement as a connector. It climbs about 2,700 feet, and runs through the beautiful Chattahoochee National Forest. <br />
There are several different places to start the loop. You can start from the church down on Doublehead Gap road (the Google Maps location given), or connect to it from the <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/bike-trails/winding-stairs-dahlonega.html"><u>Winding Stair loop</u></a> & Winding Stair Gap.<br />
So, starting from the church, begin by climbing up towards Springer Mountain on Forest Service Road 42. The road climbs rather steeply, but offers gorgeous views of the surrounding mountains. You'll pass the Springer Mountain Trailhead and the Appalachian Trail, and eventually make it to Winding Stair Gap. <br />
From there, make a hard left onto Forest Service Road 58. Now the fun begins! USFS 58 is a fast descent, and near Three Forks and the crossing with the AT and BMT it starts to parallel Noontootla Creek. As you continue to descend, but less quickly now, you'll be treated to gorgeous views of the rushing mountain stream (closer to river-level, at times), that cascades over rocks and small waterfalls. More than one person has dubbed this gravel road one of the most beautiful gravel roads in North Georgia! <br />
At the bottom where you T into Doublehead Gap Road, take a left. The gravel will turn to pavement, and you'll finish with a short uphill paved grunt to the church.
See Google Maps Location
http://www.singletracks.com/item.php?c=1&i=6901