Forks Area Trail System (FATS) — Attraction in North Augusta

The only trail I've been on is DEEP STEP. I wanted do some photography so I was hiking. The photos I took are of the more open smooth parts of the trail. A nice trail for biking little drops, only one place had a downhill switchback. If you're hiking and looking for a flat even surface this isn't it, not entirely anyway. Be cautious, there are places where you should keep your attention on foot placement, watch for roots and occasional embedded rock, eroded washouts. Always keep in mind a cyclists can round a bend or a place of heavy undergrowth and you have to get off the trail, it is mostly just wide enough for one way traffic. All of the cyclists I met were very courteous when we met. Means a lot to me cause I ride also. There are short climbs, not extremely steep but good enough to make start breathing harder. Don't do as I did and not take an energy bar or any water. I was depleted when I finished, very hungry and thirsty. On that thought don't be careless and injure yourself and become stranded. In the two and a half hours I was on the trail I met maybe 8 people and it was Memorial Holiday. I could get cell service for the most part but even then it isn't going to be quick getting to you, be observant of the mile markers posted on trees and that will help...

One of my favorite trails.

Description: (from sorba website) Nestled in the Long Cane Ranger District of the Sumter National Forest, FATS is the crown jewel of the CSRA trails, and for good reason. FATS has something for everyone. Very few technical features make FATS a great place to get beginners hooked on the sport, and the excellent flow, pump track like feel, and high speed sections combined with lots of mileage keeps bringing the seasoned riders back for more time and time again.

In 2009 FATS was awarded IMBA Epic status, and in 2010 was the host trail for the annual IMBA World Mountain Bike Summit. The trails have been highlighted in several magazines, including BIKE, Blue Ridge Outdoors, and a series of web articles for Bicycling just to name a few.

FATS consists of six individual loops, each with their own character and feel. There are two parking lots, the South Trailhead is the main parking lot, and the North Trailhead is adjacent to Big Rock and Tower. The southern loops are Brown Wave, Skinny, Great Wall, and Deep Step. Big Rock and Tower make up the...

Trails have great substance. Smooth and wide track, flows well, and great for beginner's to intermediate. Full suspension is mostly unneeded but on a few on the trails. Deep step and Tower/Big Rock loops are shorter but with more challenges. My favorite is Great Wall trail clockwise. Most trails clockwise (for some unknown reason) seem to flow better than counter-clock wise. Be prepared for MANY riders who: do not wear helmets, ride wal-mart specials, and ESPECIALLY do not know riding etiquette.

There are over 30+ miles of trail, but anyone should be able to knock out 16+ in a good hour or two without wasting your camel back. There are no long climbs...

Best place in the CSRA to ride, otherwise go to Pisgah national forest in NC for...