Rail-Trail
State: GA Length: 1 miles Surface:
While the mile-long Allatoona Pass is today a serene, pine-shaded trail, in April 1862 it played a role in the Great Locomotive Chase, when disguised Union soldiers seeking to destroy critical bridges along the Western & Atlantic line tore through in The General, a stolen Confederate locomotive. The pass also witnessed a bloody Civil War battle and holds the Grave of the Unknown Hero, burial site of an unidentified Confederate soldier. The packed dirt surface and multitude of historical markers make this a fascinating place for a leisurely hike. Within minutes of starting, you'll enter the shady reaches of Deep Cut, a 95-foot-long manmade gorge, its rock walls looming 170 feet overhead. Beyond the cut you'll encounter the first of several side trails, a set of stairs on the left that climb to Star Fort. Highlights include markers that detail the Battle of Allatoona Pass and an antique photograph of the view Union soldiers had from this very spot. Several yards up the main trail, a side path on the right leads to a lookout station known as the Crow's Nest, where a massive tree visible from Kennesaw Mountain served as a signal tower. Farther along, a short path on the right leads to vast Lake Allatoona, hemmed in by mountains. Trail's end is marked by a gate, which you can bypass to stroll the scenic lakeshore.
State: GA Length: 12.40 miles Surface: Concrete
The Arabia Mountain Trail winds its way through giant rock outcroppings, past rushing streams plunging in woodland waterfalls and among farmland and fields of wildflowers undulating in the breeze. In addition, Klondike Park and the Davidson-Arabia Mountain Nature Preserve provide beautiful vistas and quiet splendors. There are several side trails, which are all part of the main trail complex and which link the town of Lithonia as well as Evans Mill Road and Panola Mountain State Park.At its southern end, the trail connects to the Rockdale River Trail, which will one day stretch 13 miles.
State: GA Length: 22 miles Surface: Asphalt
From Atlanta BeltLine, Inc.:
The BeltLine will create more than 33 miles of multi-use trails in a linear park that will connect 40 Atlanta parks. The multi-use trails include the core 22-mile loop plus various extensions to increase connectivity to parks and trails surrounding the BeltLine. With help from The PATH Foundation, this trail system will connect Atlanta 's in-town neighborhoods and could eventually connect to a broader path network for the entire metro area.
State: GA Length: 2.50 miles Surface: Asphalt
The Atlanta Road Path skirts the western border of Dobbins Air Reserve Base in the northwestern suburbs of Atlanta. The paved path begins in the Belmont Hills subdivision of Smyrna and heads north 2.5 miles towards Marietta. It parallels its namesake road with an active railroad along its eastern side and busy commercial areas along its western flank. At its southern end sits the former Belmont Hills Shopping Center, built in 1954 and once one of the largest shopping centers in the South before it fell into decline. Plans are in the works to convert the space into a mixed-use development.
State: GA Length: 13.50 miles Surface: Concrete
This flat, winding trail has plenty of shade and is divided into two sections. There are plans to connect the two trails and to extend them. The southern portion (Roswell/Alpharetta section) runs parallel to, and on the east side of, North Point Parkway. With the opening of the new section north of Webb bridge, it now extends from the dead end on Marconi Drive (off Windward Parkway) south 8.6 miles to a parking lot at Big Creek Park off Old Alabama Road near Holcomb Bridge Road in Fulton County. There are restrooms at the YMCA and Kimball Bridge parking areas (Rockmill Park) and at the southern end of Big Creek Park. Kimball Bridge also has a nice gazebo with picnic tables. You will find a few nature trails as side excursions and plenty of wildlife viewing. Look for wild turkeys, green herons and deer; also, be wary of copperhead snakes. The northern section (Forsyth County portion) extends from Bethelview Road south to McFarland Parkway. From Atlanta Hwy to Bethelview Road, the trail is roughly half paved and half raised boardwalk. From Atlanta Highway to McFarland Parkway it is mostly raised boardwalk. The boardwalk on the Forsyth section of the Greenway is the same width (12 ft) as the paved portions of the trail. Because the trail encompasses marshy areas, flooding can occur, making the trail inaccessible in places. Check the main website for condition updates at http://www.bigcreekgreenway.com/index.php/conditions/.
State: GA Length: 2.50 miles Surface: Concrete
Camp Creek Greenway runs east-west through Lilburn in northeastern Atlanta. It's paved and scenic, traversing woodlands for much of its journey. Deer, rabbits, foxes, owls, and other birds are often spotted in this natural setting. Pets are welcome; be sure to use the waste stations provided along the way. At its eastern end is Lilburn City Park, offering restrooms, open fields, a playground, and tennis courts. Soon the trail will connect to another park on its western end: Lions Club Park. Gwinnett County plans to complete the 0.8-mile extension into the park, as well as a renovation of the park itself, in 2013.
State: GA Length: 1.80 miles Surface: Asphalt
Castlewood Road Path offers a short, paved route through a residential area of Tyrone, about 25 miles southwest of Atlanta. The trail is part of a larger effort to create car-free connections between all of the town's neighborhoods.
State: GA Length: 3.70 miles Surface: Asphalt
This 3-mile path around Chastain Park in Atlanta is one of PATH Foundation's most popular trails (the PATH Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to developing a multi-use network of greenway trails throughout Georgia).On any given day you can find joggers, dog-walkers, cyclists and rollerbladers enjoying the trail. Along the trail you'll find a children's play park, golf pro shop, nature trail, horse park and tennis center.
State: GA Length: 1.60 miles Surface: Gravel
Cochran Shoals Trail, on the northwestern outskirts of Atlanta, follows the western bank of the Chattahoochee River for nearly two miles. The unpaved pathway travels through Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area and is tree-lined and scenic. Due to its beauty, expect crowds on the weekends. To Native Americans, "Chattahoochee" is thought to mean "River of Painted Rocks." Fishing is permitted in its waters, where anglers will find trout. Contact the Georgia Department of Natural Resources for more information about fishing in the river. Rafting, canoeing, and kayaking are also permitted in the park.
State: GA Length: 4.80 miles Surface: Concrete
The Cumberland Connector begins at the eastern end of the popular Silver Comet Trail and continues east nearly 5 miles along the southern outskirts of Smyrna in the Atlanta metro region. The trail travels through commercial and residential areas, offering access to Oakdale Park and the Cumberland Mall.
State: GA Length: 1.50 miles Surface: Concrete
East Cobb Trail is located in Marietta, a northern suburb of Atlanta, and parallels Roswell Road (SR 120). Although less than 2 miles, the trail is a valuable connector between neighborhoods, shopping areas, and East Cobb Park. The popular 20-acre park offers walking trails, picnic pavilions, grassy fields, a playground, and an outdoor stage.
State: GA Length: 2.30 miles Surface: Concrete
The Eastside Trail stretches just over two miles between Piedmont Park and Inman Park. As its name implies, it runs along the east side of Atlanta, offering spectacular skyline views. Its southern end lies in the Old Fourth Ward neighborhood, where you'll find the Martin Luther King, Jr. historical site. On the south side of Freedom Parkway, you can also connect to the Freedom Park Trail, which provides access to numerous cultural attractions.
State: GA Length: 5.50 miles Surface: Asphalt, Concrete
The paved Freedom Park Trail stretches for 5.5 miles just east of downtown Atlanta, connecting the recreational amenities of Candler Park, Freedom Park, and the Martin Luther King, Jr., National Historic Site. The scenic route offers beautiful views of the city as it runs through several neighborhoods, including Inman Park, the Old Fourth Ward, and Poncey Highlands.
State: GA Length: 2.30 miles Surface: Asphalt
Ivy Creek Greenway follows its namesake waterway in Buford, which lies in the northeastern Atlanta region. Highlights of the trip include the Gwinnett Environmental and Heritage Center, Woodward Mill Historic Site, and the sprawling Mall of Georgia. The route also has a 400-foot-long boardwalk over the creek. There is some traffic noise as the trail approaches I-85, but it is otherwise quiet. Future plans call for extending the greenway west to the beautiful and popular Suwanee Creek Greenway.
State: GA Length: 1.20 miles Surface:
The Lucille Creek Trail runs through Powder Springs for about a mile along the western bank of its namesake waterway for most of its journey. It's a nicely shaded, paved pathway with views of wetlands and access to Powder Springs Park.
State: GA Length: 0.50 miles Surface: Concrete
The Midtown Greenway is the centerpiece of Gainesville's redevelopment efforts in a blighted area known as Midtown, which is a 300-acre area located south of the Downtown Square. The Midtown Greenway provides a paved north-south route along an abandoned CSX railroad corridor through this northeastern Georgia city off the shores of Lake Lanier. A highlight of the trail is the historic crossroads trading area known as Mule Camp Springs at its northern end, which is where Gainesville got its start as a trading center for the region. Since the trail's groundbreaking in August 2010, approximately half a mile of the Midtown Greenway and a five-acre trailhead and park have been completed as Phase I. The Midtown Greenway will one day stretch over three miles and foster the development of a 15-mile trail loop by connecting a planned Hall County trail running from Gainesville State College and Chicopee Woods north to the city's existing Rock Creek Greenway, which runs through a series of parks from downtown to Longwood Cove on Lake Lanier. Future plans also include acquiring one of the buildings adjacent to the trailhead/park and rehabilitating it for use as a park restroom facility.
State: GA Length: 1.80 miles Surface: Concrete
Nearly 2 miles of the Mountain-to-River Trail are complete in northwestern Marietta. The paved trail begins at Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park, which stretches more than 2,000 acres over a Civil War battleground. It continues southeast to a busy commercial area off Roselane Street. One day, the trail will continue several miles further east to the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area.
State: GA Length: 0.80 miles Surface: Asphalt
State: GA Length: 1.10 miles Surface: Concrete
Although only a mile, the Northside Trail travels through scenic Tanyard Creek Park and connects Ardmore Park and Atlanta Memorial Park. Along the way, the tree-lined route offers numerous access points to the Collier Hills neighborhoods of Atlanta.
State: GA Length: 1.20 miles Surface: Concrete
The picturesque Oxford Trail winds along Turkey Creek through the heart of the charming southern town of Oxford. The wooded pathway runs behind the Oxford College campus and offers a kiosk with information about the native plants and animals that you may see. Along the way, benches provide spots to rest and a trail spur will take you to Old Church, where a large deck beneath a tree canopy offers a place to picnic. The church, built in 1841, is a historic landmark and has two front doors where men and women once entered separately.
State: GA Length: 90 miles Surface: Asphalt
This extensive network of multi-use trails snakes throughout most of Peachtree City. Though the trails are open for non-motorized uses only, golf carts are welcome. Pedestrians have the first right of way, however, and golf cart users must observe the city's ordinance on their use.
State: GA Length: 1.40 miles Surface: Concrete
The Reeves Creek Trail runs through a residential area of Stockbridge, the largest city in Henry County that sits just 20 miles south of Atlanta. It begins in Memorial Park, which abounds with recreational amenities, including picnic pavilions, playgrounds, a basketball court, and a jogging track. The paved pathway winds through a wooded area and has only one street crossing.
State: GA Length: 5.30 miles Surface: Concrete
The Rockdale River Trail, also known as the South River Trail, parallels the South River through Rockdale County, about 25 miles southeast of Atlanta. Currently, more than five continuous miles of pathway are available for what will one day be a 13-mile trail. By 2014, it's hoped the trail will extend farther southeast to the Monastery of the Holy Spirit in Conyers (off of GA 212) and, by 2015, continue northeast to the Olde Town Conyers Trail.
State: GA Length: 61.50 miles Surface: Concrete
The Silver Comet Trail follows the bed of the old Seaboard Air Line. From 1947 to 1969, the shiny Silver Comet passenger train provided luxury service between New York and Birmingham. Today, three trestles and a railroad tunnel integrated into the trail design hint at past glories. The well-maintained 61.5-mile trail is 12-foot wide and paved; mile markers help navigate and the trail accommodates nearly all non-motorized uses. An adjacent equestrian path stretches some 40 miles west from Florence Road in Powder Springs. Rounding out the stats are 17 wheelchair-accessible access points (six with horse trailer parking), 15 restrooms, 10 water fountains, and a variety of trailside services. Today's Silver Comet runs from Smyrna all the way to Esom Hill. The eastern section runs through residential areas, including housing developments with private trail access. The western section is more bucolic, a mixed landscape of pine stands and farmland. At dusk, the countryside comes alive with animal sounds. Trail highlights include several relics of its railroading past. At Mile Marker 23, the Pumpkinville Creek Trestle stands 100 feet high and 700 feet long. Standing atop the trestle, you can almost picture the Comet streaking past in a silver blur. At Mile Marker 30.8, the Brushy Mountain Tunnel sounds a spooky note with 700 feet of damp, dark corridor. You'll find the Silver Comet Depot, a trailside bike rental shop, on Floyd Road in Mableton, while Mile Marker 37.6 heralds your arrival in idyllic, small-town Rockmart. Two miles west of town, baseball and recreation fields provide more entertainment. Cedartown features a restored train depot, as well as places to load up on refreshments for the round-trip to Smyrna. The Silver Comet offers a wide array of activities: Its rich history appeals to railroad enthusiasts, and its first-rate facilities draw recreation seekers from miles around. Whether you want to run 5 miles or bike 60, this rail-trail is an e
State: GA Length: 0.70 miles Surface: Asphalt
Spring Road Trail offers a short, paved pathway through Smyrna, a suburb north of Atlanta. The paved trail is lined with trees on one side and parallels Spring Road on the other. Only a mile from the trail's eastern terminus, you can reach the Cumberland Connector, which will take you to the famed, 61-mile Silver Comet Trail. To reach the connecting trail, continue east on the paved path along Spring Road and head south on Cumberland Boulevard until you reach the trail on the south side of Cumberland Boulevard along the south side Cumberland Mall.
State: GA Length: 19 miles Surface: Asphalt, Concrete
While most Atlanta residents would know this bike path as a 3-mile greenway through Freedom Park and Candler Park, it's really much more: a continuous 19-mile stretch of car-free paths and on-street bike lanes connecting Midtown Atlanta to Stone Mountain Park. Along the way you'll see skyscrapers, the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site, The Carter Center, Fernbank Natural History Museum, downtown Decatur and, of course, "the big rock" (a.k.a. Stone Mountain). A few hills along the way will also give you a good workout. Mile marker zero sits on Georgia Tech's campus at Fifth Street. From there, the trail drops south through Midtown to Freedom Park; look for lots of company here. When it reaches Candler Park, the route begins its longest on-street stretch, a five-mile ride through East Lake and Decatur. The path then turns north but the scenery turns south. Suffer through greater Clarkston's industrial lots and you'll eventually get 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. This trail connects with the Trolley Line Trail in Atlanta.
State: GA Length: 4 miles Surface: Asphalt, Concrete
The multi-use Suwanee Creek Greenway meanders 4 miles along Suwanee Creek (a tributary of the Chattahoochee River) through forest and wetlands on a mostly hard surface; some parts have a boardwalk. The greenway connects 400 acres of parkland with residential and commercial areas. Begin either at George Pierce Park at the northern end point of Suwanee Creek Park at the southern end point and pass through Martin Farm Park. The parks offer picnic tables and their own trails, and Pierce park has ball fields. At the wetland areas look for blue herons, snowy egrets, red-shouldered hawks and ospreys. Interpretive signs relate the history of Suwanee Creek, which was once polluted with chemical from a local tannery. The signs describe the creek's recovery. Because of a dangerous descent from the road to the river valley, cyclists must walk their bikes on the north side of McGinnis Ferry for about a quarter mile.
State: GA Length: 7 miles Surface: Asphalt, Concrete
Atlanta's first trolleys were developed in 1870s and the many lines were consolidated to form the Georgia Power Company. The Path Foundation has been instrumental in developing this, and other, Atlanta city trails. Much of the Trolley Line Trail traverses roads but there are bike lines for cyclists. It links Georgia State University in downtown Atlanta to Agnes Scott College in Decatur. Along the way you will also find the Martin Luther King, Jr. Historic Site and the historic Cabbagetown, East Lake and Reynoldstown neighborhoods. The Trolley Line connects, via road, with the Stone Mountain Trail.
The Westend Trail is the first section to open of the greater 33-mile Atlanta Beltline network of proposed trails. This 12-foot wide, multi-use path extends from Westview Drive south of I-20, across Ralph David Abernathy and south along White Street to Brown Middle School at Peeples Street. It connects Washington, Maddox, and Westside Reservoire parks with nearby schools and a shopping center. It also provides an underpass for trail users to go under I-20 for access to West End and Westview neighborhoods. When complete the Atlanta Beltline redevelopment project will create a system of public parks, multi-use trails and transit, linking downtown Atlanta and 45 neighborhoods with on another.
Whetstone Creek Trail, built on an old rail spur, winds through the Adams Crossing and Windsor Hills neighborhoods of northwest Atlanta. Much of the trail travels through woodlands and Whetstone Marsh. Along the way, you'll also cross a scenic wooden bridge over Whetstone Creek. Just beyond the trees are commercial areas, as well as Dupont Commons, a pleasant residential subdivision, that lies at the trail's southern end.
The 10-feet-wide Wild Horse Trail begins at Wild Horse Creek Park at Macedonia Road and continues south 1.5 miles along Wild Horse and Noses creeks, where it connects with the Silver Comet Trail at Carter Road. Along the trail you will find Georgia's largest red maple (classified as a state champion tree), as well as an observation tower for scenic views across a wetlands area (just south of Hopkins Road). The trail also has a rest area near Powder Springs Road and two emergency call boxes. The trail is closed from dusk to dawn and when flooding is immanent, usually following a rain storm. Despite its name, the trail is not open to equestrians.