The Atlanta BeltLine will link more than 40 neighborhoods, multiple public parks, and mass transit stations in a planned 33-mile trail network throughout the city. Rather than the straight line of a typical rail-trail, the growing BeltLine will form a 22-mile loop around the city, with another 11 miles of spur trail that tie into neighborhoods and parks. While not precisely a circle—it was once dubbed the "green ghost" for its shape—the rail-trail at the core of the project comprises four different inactive freight lines.
As of 2021, the trail network is open in the following segments:
West End Trail: This first section of the Atlanta BeltLine opened in 2008. It now stretches 2.3 miles.
Northside Trail: This 1.1-mile segment opened in 2010.
Eastside Trail: This segment expanded in 2017 and now stretches 3.7 miles.
Southwest Connector Trail: This 1.1-mile segment opened in 2013.
Westside Trail: This 3.3-mile segment opened in 2017.
Westside BeltLine Connector: 1.7 miles opened in 2021
Northeast Trail: 2 miles opened in 2021
Southside Trail: 4.1 miles opened in 2021
In 2014, the first phase of the Atlanta Streetcar opened downtown, just five blocks from the Eastside Trail. Future expansion is planned to connect the streetcar with the BeltLine. The trail and active rail line will form a parallel loop around the city in what is known as a rail-with-trail.
To provide people with a peek at the trail's progress, a number of BeltLine tours are offered. The Atlanta BeltLine Partnership offers free, narrated bus tours of the developing trail on Friday and Saturday mornings, the Atlanta Bicycle Coalition leads guided bicycle tours on the weekends, and Trees Atlanta offers seasonal guided walking tours of the trees and plants along the route.
As the Atlanta BeltLine connects several parks throughout the city, parking can be found in and around these parks, such as Piedmont Park (400 Park Drive NE) for the Eastside Trail, Rose Circle Park (982 Rose Circle SW) for the West End Trail, and Tanyard Creek Park (460 Collier Road NW) for the Northside Trail.
Mostly populated by Cyclists, joggers, skaters, walkers, and people on electric rental scooters. Great trail! If you’re someone that rides, skate, run, or walk everyday you just have ru be careful for the people that are out there and don’t do it everyday. They will Get directly in your way unintentionally. There are lots of restaurants and bars to stop and chill while you’re out there.
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.
I just rode from Freedom Parkway to Midtown this past Saturday. Great weather not too crowded - lots of fun. Here is a video of it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hSeT6ZA94GI
first i took the van tours to help community visualize the trail. after all its a 22-mile ring around downtown and i hadnt visited some parts of town in a while.
then i came back for more van tours and dragged my family along, we all grew up in ATL.
then i biked it with ABC who leads tours annually in May.
then they opened some parks, O4W, skate park and i came for the lantern parade in the fall.
then they held art on the beltline to engage users and we walked parts we wouldnt have dreamed of.
and now a 3-mile stretch called the eastside trail is open and we've biked it, walked it, and loooooove it. we now incorporate a coffee, cafes, market stops on our bike ride.
keep on rolling ATL.
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