Duncan Ridge Trail 2026

Duncan Ridge Trail is a 50K mountain trail race in Blairsville, Georgia. The loop course begins and ends at Vogel State Park. A 30K option is available, but the 50K is the primary challenge: over 10,000 feet of climbing and over 10,000 feet of descending across approximately 31 miles. This East Coast ultra's difficulty stems from continuous grade changes, steep terrain, and extended sections of traditional mountain trail. The course departs Vogel State Park, follows the Coosa Backcountry Trail to the Duncan Ridge Trail, proceeds toward Fish Gap, and circles back to the park. The Duncan Ridge Trail spans 35.5 miles through the north Georgia mountains, connecting the Appalachian Trail and Benton MacKaye Trail to the Coosa Backcountry Trail. Its defining characteristic is its direct route planning: rather than contouring around hills, the trail ascends and descends them directly, including the steep ascent of Rhodes Mountain. The fact that only a minority of runners select the full 50K indicates the course's demanding nature before the race even begins.