Find the top rated cross country skiing trails in Gainesville, whether you're looking for an easy short cross country skiing trail or a long cross country skiing trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a cross country skiing trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
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.
Boardwalks are simply too dangerous at any speed when cycling - I've seen walkers slip and fall as well - Cannot recommend this trail.
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.
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
Lower segment is good for cycling. Upper segment I would not recommend for anything other than running. It is almost all wooden boardwalk and it is almost always slimy and slick. It is so unbelievably slick even the most seasoned cyclist will fall. And if you don’t go extremely early on the weekend, it gets pretty crowded. Trail route needs to be better marked as I found myself riding off the trail and ending up at a trailhead having to turn around a couple times. Overall it’s a solid option given the area is so densely populated.
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.
Started at Tara Drummond trailhead. There are real restrooms and water there. Headed west to the tunnel (9.8 miles) It must have been 15 degrees cooler inside. Very good experience on a 90 degree day.
The trail is quite scenic, complete with sections where the trees canopy over it. Didn't see any animals at all, but we cycled from noon til about 2:15 so they were probably all taking a siesta.
Seemed like we were going uphill as we pedaled west. Not too bad, even for recumbent trikes.
Pavement is concrete but in very good condition. I just wish there was water and restrooms at the tunnel. We were slugging back a lot of water during the 20 mile round trip ride and that was our only letdown.
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