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To most Atlanta residents, the Stone Mountain Trail is a short greenway through Freedom Park and Candler Park. In reality, the Stone Mountain Trail is much more: a continuous 25-mile stretch of pristine off-road trail and connecting on-street bike lanes that can carry trail users from Midtown Atlanta to Stone Mountain Park.
About the Route
Starting off at the trail's western endpoint in Midtown Atlanta, trail users will be surrounded by skyscrapers, the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site, the Carter Center, and more.
The western end of the trail is also near Georgia Tech's Midtown campus. From there, the trail heads east to Freedom Park; look for lots of company here. This stretch is also appropriately known as the Freedom Park Trail.
When the trail crosses through Candler Park, the Stone Mountain Trail begins its on-street stretch, an approximately 1-mile ride to the next segment of trail along the active MARTA rail line in Decatur.
Another on-road route from the Stone Mountain Trail’s eastern end leads through greater Clarkston's industrial lots to a great view of Stone Mountain. In Stone Mountain Park, take the 4.5-mile loop trail around the mountain for a look at the local flora and fauna and lake views.
Connections
Just before reaching the Carter Center, the trail intersects with the Eastside Trail.
The Stone Mountain Trail runs between Centennial Olympic Park (Atlanta) and Stone Mountain Park, 1000 Robert E Lee Blvd (Stone Mountain), which offers parking.
Parking is also available at:
The Stone Mountain Trail has numerous access points with places to park. Visit the PATH Foundation’s official website for maps.
Lots of stretches riding alongside traffic in addition to on-street riding. No bike lanes through neighborhoods. Poorly marked route. Can’t recommend this route; too many better alternatives.
Tried the trail in March. I started at Centennial Park and was very excited. Rode 20 miles and was only on the actual trail for about 2 miles (once I found the trail). I got to the east belt junction and couldn’t find signs. Went the wrong way and ended up back at the park. Attempted it again in May this time I thought I would start at Stone Mountain, that didn’t work either. First lack of parking lots second lack of signage. I gave up and biked around the mountain twice.
Rode from Jimmy Carter Center to Avalon Station. Nice layout but the trail aprons need maintenance and improved signage is needed. I will return to finish the remaining portion to Stone Mountain.
Memories of my weekly cycling/ hiking trek to Stone Mountain from downtown Atlanta on the Stone Mountain Trail keep coming up on my social media, so I thought I would wright a review. Hiking up/down the Cherakee Trail x2 and 1-time cycling sprint abound the base then back Downtown in the bike trail. Highly recommend! Lost 1 star for poorly marked areas in Decator and at the RR crossing on that busy highway (near to the cemetery). I got lost a few times there AND at the gas station in Stone Mountain village! Memories of Stone Mountain Trail are 110% satisfaction
Rode 11 miles west from most eastern parking lot (Stone Mountain). Poor signage at intersections and turns, great on the straight parts where you don’t need it. Many street crossings. Not very picturesque. Good, smooth surface.
Nice path, but the hills near the intersections make it difficult to stop. Also it’s hard to gain traction on the slippery asphalt. Lots of water collected near the downtown portion.
I live in Downtown Decatur and I've been searching for a way to walk my dog in the mornings without running into small children too frequently. My dog can be a reactive to strangers and I want to find a safe way to exercise her. I found this trail randomly thinking it was the Beltline.
As far as quality goes, in between the East Lake and Avondale MARTA stations, this trail is an absolute dream! Nice wide walking path. Easy for walkers, joggers and bikers alike to enjoy the trail without obstructing each other's path. Nice tree coverage from the hot sun.
However, if you actually try to take this trail to Stone Mountain Park. Do so at your own risk, especially by walking. You definitely run into very dicey areas. Areas that aren't well maintained. There are quite a few spots where the trail doesn't have signs and it runs into busy streets and roads. Also, there are areas that aren't maintained at all which really sucks. I'd love to walk from home safely all the way to Stone Mountain Park.
It's a nice stretch--20 miles from end to end. However safety is a huge factor. This trail has so much potential if the state or city put a lot effor to make it safe for pedestrians and bike riders alike.
However, it's better than nothing I suppose. Decatur sidewalks can be too crowded during weekday mornings. They're so narrow and lots of families are dropping their kids off at school and heading to work.
So, I have to make due with the trail as it is which is still WAY better than the Beltline East Side trail that's crowded at all hours of the day every day of the week.
I live .25 miles from this trail, and I LOVE it! I see maintenance workers maintaining the trail regularly, and they just finished an overlook bridge over I-285 that’s made specially for the trail. Yes, there are a few parts of this trail where you will need to be on the road, but as long as you ride responsibility you will not have a problem. Drivers in the area are aware there is a large bike trail nearby, so I’ve never had an issue with uncooperative drivers. Not recommended for street biking, but it is great for a workout if you enjoy casually cycling.
This is ok for leisure riding, but not for road bike training. There are stop signs, and stop lights all over the trail. Just to many road crossings to enjoy. I was thinking Rails to Trails, which typically means long long stretches without road crossings. This is really better suited for walking.
This was our first trail ride, had a great time. The trail is beautiful. Yes there are a few spots that you have to ride on the road but it is easy and safe. 95 percent of the ride is on a paved trail. One harry spot that is about 500 feet but other than that, this trail is super. DO IT !!
This barely qualifies as a bike trail. Cuts through parking lots, transitions into busy urban streets, and is not well maintained. It's a shame, because it's the closest trail to where I live.
As you will read, there is 4 miles that you have to ride on the streets. There is NO bike lane on the streets, you ride with traffic and they are very busy roads.
I realize some people are fine riding on the streets and do it all the time, I am not one of them. I did not feel safe.
Because you are transitioning from bike path to streets, clear signs are needed. I took the wrong turn twice. This is the first time i was on the trail, so perhaps I missed the signs, but even if that is the case, the signs are not very apparent.
I almost hit several walkers and dogs. People seemed surprised when i yelled out "Bike Left".
There are a few tight turns so if you want to ride at a constant, faster speed, you cannot.
There are some nice hills on the trails and much of it is pretty.
I will not ride this trail again.
and since we live in decatur and keep annual memberships to stone mountain this is our trail. and PATH has created a space, sometimes off-road, sometimes not, that we can follow...sort of. so yes, i love the trail, wish it wasnt on the road at times and that it was easier to follow the route. we've ridden it a few times, and neighbors ride it more often, but we never like the on-road stretch b/c one likes to be either in the mindset of okay i'm riding on the road, defenses up, or i'm riding on an off-road trail, attention up, but way more relaxing. that's what i'd work towards. more relaxing path.
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