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Print Friendly MapIn the northern Alabama town of Athens, Swan Creek Greenway offers natural beauty as winds its way through the forest along Swan Creek. Trail-goers will enjoy views of a covered bridge, gentle rapids and glimpses of wildlife. The first half-mile of the trail's northern end is asphalt, while the rest of the 2-mile trail is crushed gravel. The trail connects many recreational facilities, including the state-of-the-art Athens Sportsplex at its northern tip.
In 2011, the picturesque trail was designated as a National Recreation Trail.
To reach the Sportsplex trailhead at the trail's northern end, travelers on Interstate 65 should take exit 354 (US Highway 31 South). After driving 0.9 mile, turn left at the first light into Sportsplex Park. Go 0.6 mile until the road ends and turn left into the trail parking lot.
Beautiful ride!! Nice and shaded- several people on the trail. It is working biking, walking, or running. Great place!!
Swan Creek Trail is a well maintained bike/walk/run trail in Athens, AL. Nice natural features like the creek with small noisy rapids and interesting man made ramps and bridges. Trail travels under all major roads for maximum safety. Good mix of sun and shade connecting Athens shopping to tennis, ball and soccer facilities. Enjoy this quick pit stop with even your smallest or oldest family members and pets.
Love it! It's beautiful. My dogs love it too. The length is good when walking smaller dogs.
Nice trail. Good for pedestrians, dogs, bikes (although there are a couple of blind corners). Friendly people. Busy on nice days.
About .6 miles from the north end, the trail forks; the paved branch goes on to the athletic fields of the local high school, and the broad swath that is not paved goes south to link up with the southern piece of the trail. (Getting around the high school to the southern branch can be tricky if you don't know your way around. It took me a year or so to figure it out, and I live here.)
Recommend parking either in the lot adjacent to the soccer fields at the north end, or at the high school (near the tennis courts). There is some room to park at the south end, but access there is through a congested area of US 72.
There's a Starbucks a stone's throw from the south end of the trail. I stop there often when I'm biking the trail, although it's a little tricky to get to. A foot bridge across Swan Creek there would simplify things a lot.
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