Find the top rated birding trails in Decatur, whether you're looking for an easy short birding trail or a long birding trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a birding trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
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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.
This is the main trail I go to. I wish there were signs for the Buddy System for safety along with wearing a bicycle helmet. I wrote a book about this trail after walking the whole trail in 2004 with friends. The first day I went alone and that convinced me to find friends. I love this trail.
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.
The Proctor Creek Trail is a hidden gem. The bridgework is impressive, and the surrounding foliage adds to the trail's serenity. The southern end point adjoins the Bankhead Marta Station, and immediately the path winds you through a number of oldtimey industrial buildings, vacant but clean and safely away from the path. Then the rest of the trail is as if you are in the country - quiet, peaceful and beautiful. There are a few gentle slopes and a number of park benches.
Warning: there are parts of this trail that are remote which means that if there were to be an incident on the trail, you would have to wait awhile before city services could respond to your call.
Parking: On the southern end point, you can park at Maddox Park and follow the sidewalk out of the park and over to the southern endpoint. (Or of course, take Marta to the Bankhead Station on the East/West Line.)
Boardwalks are simply too dangerous at any speed when cycling - I've seen walkers slip and fall as well - Cannot recommend this trail.
I hesitated to use trail as a runner because of lack of parking..huge mistake!!! You can park on neighborhood streets near the access points. Hoosier Church, beecher hills school, flamingo drive of willis mill. I believe You can get a total of about 5 --7 miles on entire trail.
Change of pace-using city streets you can connect to Westside belt line.
There are off road (following the creek) and paved trails. Benches are also along the trail and a playground. A natural tree canopy provides shade in summer months.
I was on an ecowalk to learn about vegetation in the forest! HUGE oak trees, natural bamboo, and others. Cool experience, will definitely return.
Very nice trail. Wide, paved, multi use trail. It should be noted however, that about 6 miles from where the trail is picked up at the mall, it is dead ended. Construction has it closed and there is no real viable detour. I would avoid this trail for now until this is fixed, but evidently the construction has been going on for years.
Nice paved trail, with a few hills.
This is a great trail that will be even better once completed into Mansfield.
Coming from Sarasota, Florida where our Tamiami Trail is flat, has no scenery and is barely shaded, my husband and I really enjoyed the ups and downs, the scenery and the shaded portions. We completed it two consecutive days, Saturday and Sunday starting after 3 PM.
I do not recommend this trail at all for bike riding. Very slippery and they dont mark those areas even after the do a morning check..slipped 3 times with injury. Warning do not bike at this trail !! Plus they have holes in some Planck areas
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