CHALLENGE 6: “Jasper & Talking Rock Heritage Run” (Mulberry Gap Edition)
Area: Jasper → Talking Rock → Mulberry Gap → Sharp Mountain → Grandview Area
Time: 3–5 hours
Difficulty: Easy–Moderate (mix of paved roads, gravel, and Forest Service roads)
📍 START: JAX Coffee & Jasper Outpost 515
Task 1 — Coffee & Kickoff
Grab a coffee or pastry and check out Jasper Outpost 515, an official Jeep dealer.
(Closed Sundays)
Alternate Jeep-Friendly Coffee / Breakfast (if JAX is closed):
- 514 Coffee / Panacea Coffeehouse — Large lot, very Jeep-friendly
- Carriage House Coffee Shop — Cozy local spot, great breakfast biscuits
- Mary’s Bread Basket — Big portions, breakfast sandwiches and pastries
- The Last Catch Breakfast Truck (check hours) — Outdoor seating, easy parking
Jeep-Friendly Stores & Supplies (Start Area):
- Jasper Jeep Dodge Chrysler Ram — Dealer accessories and quick purchases
- Ace Hardware Jasper — Straps, gloves, tools, bungees
- North Georgia Outdoor Center (NGOC) — Outdoor gear and souvenirs
- Talking Rock Brewery merch stop (5 minutes away) — Stickers + Jeep crowd hangout
📍 Downtown Jasper – Pickens County Courthouse
Task 2 — Courthouse Kickoff
Photograph your Jeep in front of the 1906 Pickens County Courthouse.
Bonus: Step inside and photograph a marble exhibit.
Nearby Souvenir Stops:
- Pickens County Welcome Center
- Olivia’s Shabby Shack
- Pickens Historical Society Shop
📍 N. Main Street – Woodbridge Inn
Task 3 — Landmark Legacy Shot
Photograph your Jeep in front of Jasper’s iconic Woodbridge Inn.
Nearby Lunch Options (Early Meal):
- 61 Main — Farmhouse-style, Jeep-friendly back parking
- I Love NY Pizza (Jasper) — Fast, easy, large lot
- Bub-Ba-Q — Popular with Jeep groups, pull-through parking
📍 Talking Rock Highway → Downtown Talking Rock
Task 4 — General Store Stop
Visit the Talking Rock General Store or a local shop and photograph something unique.
Jeep-Friendly Shops & Stops (All Walkable):
- Talking Rock General Store
- The Collective (artisan goods)
- Talking Rock Brewery (merch + gravel parking)
Coffee / Snack Options:
- Dalton’s Cup (mobile / pop-ups; check day)
- Talking Rock Biscuit Co. (when open)
GRAVEL + FOREST SERVICE SECTION
📍 Old Whitestone Road Loop (Gravel)
Task 5 — Gravel Road Ramble
Drive the scenic gravel stretch and take a Jeep photo at a safe pull-off.
Last Supplies Before Dirt:
- Jasper Walmart Supercenter — Water, snacks, ponchos
- Ingles Market (Jasper) — Bathrooms + grab-and-go
- Hometown Tire & Auto — Air and quick checks
📍 Mulberry Gap Road (FS Road System)
Task 6 — Mulberry Gap Mountain Run
Drive Mulberry Gap Road, a classic North Georgia Forest Service route featuring long gravel climbs, forest views, and dispersed campsites.
Take a photo at a scenic bend, pull-off, or ridge section.
Trail Notes:
- Generally easy for stock Jeeps
- Watch for campers, cyclists, and side spurs
- Can be washboarded after rain
📍 Talking Rock Nature Park
Task 7 — Trails & Trees
Walk one of the short loops and photograph a wooden bridge, trail sign, or creek crossing.
Nearby Snack Options:
- Farm to Fork (Hwy 515) — Burgers + Jeep-friendly lot
- Dunkin’ (515 corridor) — Quick caffeine stop
BACK TO HISTORY + VIEWS
Take a scenic vineyard photo with your Jeep (park only in designated areas).
Extra Tip:
Wine tastings available; excellent mountain-backdrop photo angles.
TURN-BY-TURN DIRECTIONS
Challenge 6: Jasper & Talking Rock Heritage Run (Mulberry Gap)
ROUTE PLAN:
JAX Coffee & Jasper Outpost 515 → Downtown Jasper → Woodbridge Inn → Talking Rock → Old Whitestone Road → Mulberry Gap Road → Talking Rock Nature Park → Sharp Mountain Vineyards
START: JAX Coffee & Jasper Outpost 515
Address: 49 Mountainside Village Pkwy, Jasper, GA
STOP 1: Downtown Jasper – Pickens County Courthouse
- Exit parking lot; turn RIGHT onto Mountainside Village Pkwy
- Turn RIGHT onto GA-515 South
- Continue 1.5 miles
- Take exit for Jasper / GA-53 / Burnt Mountain Road
- Turn RIGHT onto GA-53 South
- Continue 0.5 miles into downtown
- Courthouse will be on the LEFT
STOP 2: Woodbridge Inn
- Continue NORTH on N. Main Street
- Drive 0.3 miles
- Woodbridge Inn will be on the RIGHT
STOP 3: Downtown Talking Rock
- Continue NORTH on N. Main Street
- Road becomes Talking Rock Road
- Continue 5.5 miles
- Enter Downtown Talking Rock
- Park near General Store and shops
STOP 4: Old Whitestone Road (Gravel)
- Head NORTH on Talking Rock Road
- After 0.8 miles, turn LEFT onto Old Whitestone Road
- Pavement transitions to gravel
- Continue 2–3 miles, using safe pull-offs only
STOP 5: Mulberry Gap Road
- Follow Old Whitestone Road connections toward Mulberry Gap Road
- Watch for Forest Service signage
- Turn onto Mulberry Gap Road
- Drive 4–6 miles of scenic gravel at controlled speeds
- Yield to campers, hikers, and cyclists
STOP 6: Talking Rock Nature Park
- Exit Mulberry Gap Road toward Talking Rock Road
- Turn RIGHT onto Talking Rock Road
- Drive ~1 mile
- Turn RIGHT into Talking Rock Nature Park
STOP 7: Sharp Mountain Vineyards
- Exit park; turn RIGHT onto Talking Rock Road
- Drive 1.5 miles
- Turn LEFT onto Sharp Mountain Road
- Continue ~2 miles
- Turn LEFT into Sharp Mountain Vineyards
END OF ROUTE
Optional Return:
Retrace Sharp Mountain Road toward Talking Rock or explore paved backroads toward Jasper and Grandview.