Export to Trail Guide
Create Guidebook 
Download GPX 
Print Friendly MapAbout 135 miles southwest of Savannah, rural Douglas has successfully transformed its railroad line, a former economic generator, into a multiuse trail. Built atop the bed of the old Georgia & Florida Railroad, the 5+mile trail serves as a transportation corridor and recreational hub for the town's 15,000 residents.
From its southern trailhead on Trojan Lane at the former Middle School property (now a shopping center), the route meanders past tennis courts and a baseball field and crosses the landscaped campus of South Georgia State College, the state's oldest junior college. Beyond is an eclectic mix of single-family homes, businesses, old farmhouses, mobile homes and warehouses. While road crossings are plentiful on this trail, they're clearly marked for safe use.
Midway along the trail on Ward Street West you'll pass the old train depot, now the Heritage Station Museum (open Tuesday-Friday & every first and third Saturday). Stop in to learn about the railroad that once ran through Douglas and contributed so much to the local economy.
Heading north and lined with sweet-smelling pines, the route crosses North Chester Avenue and then crosses Twenty Mile Creek via a pedestrian/bike bridge. Coming out of the woods, the trail is lined with grass and passes a few businesses. Crossing GA-206 Connector, the trail continues through grass meadows and woodlands to Van Davis Road near JC Adams Municipal Park (600 Van Davis Rd), the athletic park containing a number of sports complexes at the city's northern boundary. There is also a small playground and a large sheltered picnic area by the pond.
Benches and trash receptacles are placed along the route. Drinking fountains are located at the northern end of the ball field in the athletic park and just south of where the trail crosses Ashley Street. Enjoy the pleasant landscaping and take a breather on one of the trailside benches.
Parking is available at the southern trailhead on Trojan Lane in a large lot at the shopping center and near the northern end at JC Adams Municipal Park (600 Van Davis Rd, Douglas).
Natives have a difficult time finding something nice to say about their hometown sometimes, and I had heard mixed reviews about this trail. In the past week, I have driven in a couple of mornings to take advantage of something I consider to be a gem of a trail. I began in town, to the right of Hobby Lobby. I cruised through the local college campus, followed a short MARKED detour (part of the bike trail) through a few quiet streets, then made my way back to the trail and behind a few businesses, passing by the caboose and local history museum before heading out of town. The trail continued through an industrial section of town (cool storage, body shop, trailer manufacturing) for about 1/4 mile before crossing the road and eventually ending at the Coffee County High School sports complex. I took the liberty of riding around the high school campus, in and out of the parking lots and around buildings and nearby neighborhoods. In the end, I clocked 11-12 miles.
Like anything else, it is what you make it... and WHEN you make it - early morning rides on this trail have been a very positive experience for me and my husband.
Love it. Great for kids. Very easy to ride
Drove down from Atlanta while headed to ride the Woodbine GA rail trail as well as a swing through Jesup, GA for lunch at JONES KITCHEN. This is a great meat and veggie buffet open only 11-2 Monday - Saturday.
In Douglas, we parked on the South Georgia State College Campus and caught the trail in the middle. We rode first south and realized why we had seen nothing when looking for the trail at the middle school, There are no signs for the trail entrance at this location. We found the trail actually starts behind two metal post on the front side of the school on the north edge of the parking lot driveway.
We then backtracked and went north to the very end of the Douglas Trail which is across a new bridge over Twenty-Mile Creek. Beyond this bridge the rail trail abruptly ends and currently is nothing but grass in the former Georgia Florida Railroad Right-of-Way. We posted a photo showing this sudden stop.
It is a nice but short trail
Today (September 7, 2013) was my first day riding on the trail. I traveled from McRae, Georgia to ride on the trail for safety reasons. I really enjoyed the ride. I only wish it would connect to Telfair County. Nice trail, only the ride was too short. It was a nice treasure to find. Thank you all so much for constructing such a wonderful trail, many rest areas, and smooth road. Again, it was an enjoyable evening.
Nice trail. Flat. Some street crossings, but OK. Work is underway to extend the trail north.
At the museum, go uphill a half block and you will see a nice Italian/Pizza restaurant on the right.We took a Pizza home on our bike.
"This is a nice little trail! Be careful when crossing Ga158, the other crossings are easy. I hope to see the trail extended sometime- the possibilities are exciting as the railbed goes N to Augusta, and S to Willacoochee!"
_0_nb.jpg)
TrailLink is a free service provided by Rails-to-Trails conservancy
(a non-profit) and we need your support!
