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With a full loop around the city along with access spurs and connections to other trails, the Atlanta BeltLine will ultimately create a 33-mile trail network linking more than 40 neighborhoods, multiple public parks, and mass transit stations in Atlanta and its immediate surrounds. With more than half of its trail length open for permanent or interim use, the BeltLine has already made its mark on Atlanta, offering residents an active transportation route to commute, exercise, and hang out.
About the Route
When complete, the Atlanta BeltLine will comprise of 33-miles of trail network— with a main loop of 22 miles to be accompanied by light rail transit. Over 9 miles of the main loop and over 10 miles of connector trails are complete. Additionally some unimproved trail segments are open for use when not under construction. Check with Atlanta BeltLine for the latest construction updates. As of 2024, the trail network is open in the following segments:
Mainline Loop:
Connector Spur Trails:
Connections
The Eastside Trail connects with the Stone Mountain Trail. Piedmont Park connects to and links the Eastside Trail and the Northeast Trail.The Westside Trail and the Southwest Connector trail connects to the Lionel Hampton Trail.
Trail History
The rail corridors that form the BeltLine’s loop were built in the Reconstruction Era after the Civil War, as a way to alleviate growing freight rail congestion in downtown Atlanta depots, by allowing trains to bypass the city. Four separate rail lines formed the loop, owned by separate rail companies—namely The Atlanta and Richmond Air-Line Railway, the Seaboard Air Line Railroad, the Atlanta & West Point Belt Line Railroad, and the Louisville and Nashville Railroad Belt Line. The Atlanta & West Point Trail is still an active freight line. Hence the Northside Trail follows an almost entirely separate right-of-way.
The idea for an active transportation corridor on the BeltLine was proposed in 1999, by planner and architect Ryan Gravel, in his masters thesis. In 2000, Gravel and colleagues mailed summarized copies of the thesis to several influential figures in Atlanta, urging them to support its development. In the early 2000s, the idea began gaining momentum, and in 2006, Atlanta BeltLine, Inc. was incorporated to begin developing the project. The first section of trail opened in 2008.
In 2014, the first phase of the Atlanta Streetcar opened downtown, just five blocks from the Eastside Trail. Future expansion is planned to connect the streetcar with the BeltLine. The trail and active rail line will form a parallel loop around the city in what is known as a rail-with-trail.
Atlanta’s MARTA rapid transit system provides transit access to the trail. If taking your bike aboard a train, please observe the transit agency’s rules. Several train stops are close to the trail:
As the Atlanta BeltLine connects several parks throughout the city, parking can be found in and around these parks, such as Piedmont Park (400 Park Drive NE) for the Eastside Trail.
Parking is also available:
There are numerous parking options along this route, see TrailLink Map for all parking options and detailed directions.
Mostly populated by Cyclists, joggers, skaters, walkers, and people on electric rental scooters. Great trail! If you’re someone that rides, skate, run, or walk everyday you just have ru be careful for the people that are out there and don’t do it everyday. They will Get directly in your way unintentionally. There are lots of restaurants and bars to stop and chill while you’re out there.
I absolutely love it! I highly recommend you try it at least once. It’s an urban concrete trail. Very safe. Be aware that there will be plenty of people. Be courteous and patient. Some times I get in a serious workout and other times like to stroll (solo & with friends). There are plenty of places to stop eat or drink, take pictures or use bathrooms.
I just rode from Freedom Parkway to Midtown this past Saturday. Great weather not too crowded - lots of fun. Here is a video of it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hSeT6ZA94GI
first i took the van tours to help community visualize the trail. after all its a 22-mile ring around downtown and i hadnt visited some parts of town in a while.
then i came back for more van tours and dragged my family along, we all grew up in ATL.
then i biked it with ABC who leads tours annually in May.
then they opened some parks, O4W, skate park and i came for the lantern parade in the fall.
then they held art on the beltline to engage users and we walked parts we wouldnt have dreamed of.
and now a 3-mile stretch called the eastside trail is open and we've biked it, walked it, and loooooove it. we now incorporate a coffee, cafes, market stops on our bike ride.
keep on rolling ATL.
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