Explore the best rated trails in Gainesville, GA. Whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Peachtree Parkway Trail and Spring Road Trail. With more than 49 trails covering 263 miles you’re bound to find a perfect trail for you. Click on any trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
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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...
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Atlanta's Eastside Trail stretches just over 3 miles between Piedmont Park and and the neighborhoods of Cabbagetown and Reynoldstown. As its name implies, it runs along the east side of the city,...
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The Atlanta BeltLine will link more than 40 neighborhoods, multiple public parks, and mass transit stations in a planned 33-mile trail network throughout the city. Rather than the straight line of a...
The Western Gwinnett Bikeway was designated one of the Gwinnett County's Signature Trails as part of the county's ambitious trails master plan, which hopes to link communities across the populous...
The Akers Mill Trail is the brainchild of the Cumberland Community Improvement District. The trail is split into two different sections, the east and the western segments, which are tied together by...
When Georgia's Department of Transportation undertook a major construction project to build new highway infrastructure in northwest Atlanta, local organizations pushed to make sure that the state...
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...
The Nancy Creek Trail provides a route between Murphy Candler Park and Blackburn Park, two popular recreation sites in the Atlanta suburb of Brookhaven. The concrete trail is a mixture of off-road...
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...
Rock Creek Greenway is a well-shaded, paved pathway connecting four parks on its way across Gainesville, from downtown to Lake Lanier. A pleasant place to begin is on the trail’s eastern end at...
The Cricket Frog Trail gets its name from the quarter-sized amphibian native to this part of Georgia. The trail occupies the former railbed of the Central of Georgia Railway. Totaling 14.9 miles,...
Settles Bridge Park is a 268-acre nature complex with fitness and recreation amenities serving residents of Suwanee. The park features 4.5 miles of trails, including 1.6 miles of asphalt multiuse...
The Tallulah Falls Rail-Trail (also known as the Shortline Trail) spins a short, smooth circuit through Tallulah Gorge State Park. From its trailhead beside Tallulah Falls Lake, the 1.7-mile paved...
The paved North Park Path is located in Alpharetta, a northern suburb of Atlanta. Although it's short (less than a mile), the trail offers terrific access to the amenities of Alpharetta North Park,...
The South Peachtree Creek Trail is a short greenway linking four recreational amenities in DeKalb County. On the east end, Medlock Park features baseball and softball diamonds, tennis courts, a...
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...
The West Cobb Trail is a 2-way dedicated pathway within the right-of-way of the Ernest Barrett Parkway (State Route 5 Connector). The trail follows the arterial through a residential part of the...
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...
The North Oconee River Greenway is a 3.5-mile long, 10-foot wide, paved multi-use path open to all types of non-motorized uses. The trail runs from Sandy Creek Nature Center (connecting with Cook's...
The Peachtree Parkway Trail may not be much to look at, but this flat asphalt pathway that runs along the side of Peachtree Parkway is one of the best ways to get around the suburban community of...
The Town to Creek Trail is situated right in the heart of Woodstock, a northwestern suburb of Atlanta. Shortly after its beginning at Market Street (one block from Main Street), the paved trail dives...
South River Trail offers a wooded route along its namesake river, about 15 miles southeast of Atlanta. On its west end is Martin Luther King Jr. High School. On its east end, it ties into the area’s...
Prioritizing function over beauty, the Powder Springs Road Multi-Use Trail offers cyclists and pedestrians a wide concrete sidepath along the busy suburban road in southwestern Marietta. Providing...
The East Decatur Greenway offers a pleasant outdoor experience and community connector in the Atlanta metropolitan area. The paved pathway begins across the street from MARTA's Avondale Station and...
The Atlanta BeltLine will link more than 40 neighborhoods, multiple public parks, and mass transit stations in a planned 33-mile trail network throughout the city. Rather than the straight line of a...
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...
The Lower Roswell Trail is a 2.8-mile dedicated sidepath in Marietta, Georgia. The asphalt pathway begins at the top of Lower Roswell Road (at Willeo Road) and runs through pristinely landscaped...
Settles Bridge Park is a 268-acre nature complex with fitness and recreation amenities serving residents of Suwanee. The park features 4.5 miles of trails, including 1.6 miles of asphalt multiuse...
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 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...
The Western Gwinnett Bikeway was designated one of the Gwinnett County's Signature Trails as part of the county's ambitious trails master plan, which hopes to link communities across the populous...
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...
The paved North Park Path is located in Alpharetta, a northern suburb of Atlanta. Although it's short (less than a mile), the trail offers terrific access to the amenities of Alpharetta North Park,...
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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,...
Rockdale River Trail offers a beautiful natural escape through Rockdale County, just southeast of the Atlanta metropolitan area. The trail is hilly and winding as it goes through heavily forested...
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Covington's Eastside Trail connects Eastside High School, Newton County Public Library, and Chimney Park. Much of the landscape is pleasantly wooded and there are four wooden boardwalks over...
While most Atlanta residents would know this trail as a 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...
The Concord Road Trail is a hardscape hike and bike path located alongside the road of the same name in Smyrna, Georgia. The trail begins at the intersection of Concord and Atlanta Roads, where it...
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...
The Nancy Creek Trail provides a route between Murphy Candler Park and Blackburn Park, two popular recreation sites in the Atlanta suburb of Brookhaven. The concrete trail is a mixture of off-road...
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...
The developing PATH400 Greenway Trail will one day run 5.2 miles from the Atlanta BeltLine north through Buckhead up to I-285 and the trail system in Sandy Springs. Currently, the paved trail is open...
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...
The Tallulah Falls Rail-Trail (also known as the Shortline Trail) spins a short, smooth circuit through Tallulah Gorge State Park. From its trailhead beside Tallulah Falls Lake, the 1.7-mile paved...
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...
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...
The Noonday Creek Trail is open in two disconnected sections. The short, northernmost segment runs through the southwestern end of Woodstock, following its namesake tree-lined creek. At this section's...
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...
The Town to Creek Trail is situated right in the heart of Woodstock, a northwestern suburb of Atlanta. Shortly after its beginning at Market Street (one block from Main Street), the paved trail dives...
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...
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 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....
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...
The Lower Roswell Trail is a 2.8-mile dedicated sidepath in Marietta, Georgia. The asphalt pathway begins at the top of Lower Roswell Road (at Willeo Road) and runs through pristinely landscaped...
Prioritizing function over beauty, the Powder Springs Road Multi-Use Trail offers cyclists and pedestrians a wide concrete sidepath along the busy suburban road in southwestern Marietta. Providing...
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,...
The North Oconee River Greenway is a 3.5-mile long, 10-foot wide, paved multi-use path open to all types of non-motorized uses. The trail runs from Sandy Creek Nature Center (connecting with Cook's...
The West Cobb Trail is a 2-way dedicated pathway within the right-of-way of the Ernest Barrett Parkway (State Route 5 Connector). The trail follows the arterial through a residential part of the...
Rockdale River Trail offers a beautiful natural escape through Rockdale County, just southeast of the Atlanta metropolitan area. The trail is hilly and winding as it goes through heavily forested...
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...
Good mix of flat land and some elevation passing through the Chastain neighborhood, houses and the inner nature walk. Street Parking is convenient. Less nature exposure but well located in the city.
Really enjoy leisurely biking the trail. It can be very busy on the weekend, and the avid cyclist take some great risks in passing walkers and other slower cyclists. Most do not announce they are approaching, and many “thread the needle” in trying to pass.
The review below regarding trail closure was correct when written (Summer 2018) due to water line replacements throughout Arabia Mountain Park in DeKalb County.
In addition, on the Rockdale County side, there were closures related to dam improvements between the upper and lower lakes of Panola State Park.
However, the good news is the entire trail system (Arabia Mountain, South River, and Rockdale River trails) is now (Fall 2019) back to normal (trails opened again!).
Easy to use paths and connects seamlessly with Roswell River trail!
Overall this trail is best for connections. The north side is a great bike/walk trail where you can freely bike/walk at least a few feet removed from the street and it’s aesthetically nice even for a trail that runs between an interstate and a service road. As a connection to the trails along the Chattahoochee it’s excellent but wouldnt really stand on its own other than being a nice side street trail. The south is a glorified sidewalk that connects the Bob Callan to Akers Mill shopping center, Cumberland Mall, etc.
The Rockdale River Trail is seamlessly connected with the Arabia Mountain Trail and a portion of the South River Trail, forming a network of ~25 miles of trails (I see various measures). This entire system is hard surface (mostly concrete with a few asphalt stretches). Even though significant portions of the trail are wooded/shaded, the trail itself is usually quite clear of debris (well maintained)... unless you are riding very soon after stormy or windy days).
When we ride near dawn or dusk, we often see wildlife along the trails (deer, rabbits, snakes, turkeys). The stretch of the Rockdale River trail between Union Church Road and S.R. 138 that runs above/along the South River and is probably my favorite portion of the entire connected system, as you listen for the water cascading over the rocks down below.
Rockdale County recently (~September 2019) constructed bathrooms at the trailheads located off Union Church Road (at Daniels Bridge Road intersection) and off S.R. 138 (at the East Fairview Road intersection)… the latter of which has full plumbing (running water + sewer).
As other comments on this site indicate, this trail system has lots of hills and curves (this is a roller coaster, not a "rails to trails" like the Silver Comet!). So, if you are a beginner, expect to cover a shorter distance than you normally would. And remember, along with uphills come downhills, so make sure your brakes are in working order!
The wooded trails are absolutely beautiful but be careful if walking along the Chattahoochee River. Copperhead Snakes and Raccoons have been spotted.
Good for walking and leisure riding, cruddy for any kind of actual workout.
Don't miss this trail. I use it often both on bicycle and walking with dogs. Beautiful and clean!
Yes sometimes there are slippery spots on the boardwalk sections but don't all nice trails have this at some point. My suggestion is to keep your eyes open.
We bought our house back in 2008, because of this trail. Well that’s partially true¿¿ It’s been great to see all the growth and extensions on this trail. Back in 2008 the trail only went as far as the stone bridge before the railroad tracks. Now it’s a full blown trail that is simply beautiful! They did an outstanding job on this trail. They’ll even left the ruins of a water treatment village there! It’s got hiking trails that veer off and take you into the woods. It’s a treasure for this neighborhood!
A very nice well maintained trail from Old Alabama Road to Marconi - approx 8 miles one way. The trail is nearly 100% in the woods along Big Creek. All concrete and nice width. We were riding on Sat 10 - 11:30 - there was fair amount of traffic, but not overly so. The trail crosses under all major roads / no at grade crossings.
The only negative is the signage is lacking / a little hard to tell what trail branches go to where. But, now that we have ridden the trail, we are more likely not to make the several wrong turns we made today.
I actually enjoyed this trail better than SC, only because it was less crowded.
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