We live 3-4 blocks from the park where the trail starts but it feels like its our backyard. Love the amenity for hikes, bike rides, creek walks, and commuting to Emory University car-free on trails! Pleasant blend of boardwalk, bridges, concrete path. Crosses the tracks in an overhead trestle, has spurs to Three Forks Trail in Melton Park, spurs to Oak Grove via Spring Valley and leads otherwise from Medlock Park to Mason Mill Park. Parks and parks and parks!

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.

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.

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.