Find the top rated running trails in Madison, whether you're looking for an easy short running trail or a long running trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a running trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
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This, our first ride planned from the TrailLink app was absolutely delightful. The earlier reviews helped us plan our day, parking in the free garage deck was very convenient. The scenery was varied and surprisingly peaceful considering the proximity to Atlanta. We met friendly folks and were able to complete approximately forty miles out and back.
This trail is my absolute favorite. It's so serene and peaceful. It's well maintained. My favorite part is riding the bridge over the Alcovy River. Depending on where you park there's several places to eat, or grab snacks. A great coffee shop in Mansfield called Your Perfect Cup or grab some delicious Ice cream from Marketplace CREAMERY also in Mansfield. Plenty of places to eat and shop in Downtown Covington. Be sure to plan a visit, you will not be disappointed.
If you’re up for the challenge of nearly continuous hills, you’ll be rewarded with a lovely ride through nature on this well/signed, well-maintained trail. It’s a great training ride! One suggestion I have for riders doing the Rockdale River Trail is to start at Lorraine Park— where there’s a public bathroom— and bike the three miles to the monastery, then turn back to your car. At that point you can decide if you feel exhausted by the hills or warmed up enough to continue to Panola Mountain State Park, etc. As reviewers said, this trail connects to Arabia Mountain trails, Panola Park trails, and at least part of the South River trail of you wish to extend your ride. Today I turned back at the start of the Arabia Mountain trail, went past the lake to the state park and visited the nature center (which has snacks and drinks for sale during the day), then took the lake loop to get me back on the Rockdale River Trail. The maps on the trail are great and I only got confused once, near the state park where I almost turned toward the Rock Road spur instead. The trail is hilly but mostly shaded, except where it briefly passes through power easements and a few stints along the road. There are two road crossings, one of them with high speed vehicles, so keep that in mind if you have little ones with you. I saw the Rockdale County trail maintenance people and thanked them for their work… the shoulders are clearly regularly mowed and grass/dirt encroachment is almost non existent. The pavement still looks great, even if the paint is fading. All impressive considering the challenging terrain.
We started at Parker House and took the path to left instead of the one along the river. We were on hybrid bikes and it was too hilly for us - turned around. We drove up to the Monastery which is beautiful . We passed under the covered bridge trail … but did not attempt.
This trail is great! We start at Beaver Park entrance and ride all the way to downtown Covington. Eat, ride around all the old homes and homes that have been in films. Great scenery, quiet, clean and smooth. On the way back, we usually head to the Market Place creamery in Mansfield right off the trail at the end!
I rode this trail from the parking garage in Covington past Mansfield and back on August 14th for a total of 25 miles. It's up and down the whole way, with grades rarely over 1%, so not trouble keeping going. It fairly scenic passing swamps, farms, and fields. It also has three bridges, the longest over the Alcovy. The surface is concrete near Covington but transitions to asphalt a few miles out. There are a few tree roots starting to push up, but nothing more than mild bumps. Very smooth, otherwise. Mansfield has an interesting coffee shop I may try on the next trip.
Some things to know. It seems the parking garage (free!) in the center of Covington is the best place to park. There do not appear to be any public restrooms or bottle filling stations along the way.
Went out on this trail with my 11-year-old and nine-year-old, who are relatively new to biking any sort of distance. The trail was really nice, scenic, well-maintained, and easy enough for them with some gentle rolling hills. It winds around a golf course for a ways. We ended up doing 6 miles total and it worked well. As of 8/2025, the Atlanta RC club is mat one end is closed, so we had to find an alternate parking spot. Gresham Park is a nice spot to park in.
We ride this trail today as part of the last and 25th GA Tandem Rally. Loved the trail and thanks to all those who had a part in making it happen! It’s a beautiful paved trail and really enhances your town.
We rode this yesterday 4-20-2025. Easter Sunday. It is a beautiful trail and well maintained. We found a coffee shop called Your Perfect Cup in Mansfield for a nice snack before heading back.
Drove out to stone mountain to do the 6 mile loop and was met with hills upon hills.
We ride this trail the most and Elena did serious damage to the trail. We now park at MLK HS as the South River parking is under construction. We appreciate the clean up done after Elena, however another large tree needs to be removed about a mile north of the SR trailhead.
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