Seasoned bikers, families, and little ones just learning – no matter who you are, Spring is a stellar time to get out on your bike. And Atlanta is a vibrant place to do it. We hope you enjoy these Atlanta Bike Trails. If you know of more, please let us know!
Beyond Atlanta – The state of Georgia is an outdoor enthusiast’s dream if you want to venture further.
READY TO ROLL – ATLANTA BIKE TRAILS
SILVER COMET TRAIL
The Silver Comet Trail runs west through Cobb, Paulding, and Polk counties. This quiet, non-motorized, paved trail is for walkers, hikers, bicyclists, rollerbladers, horses, dog walkers, and is wheelchair accessible.
The Silver Comet Trail is 61.5 miles long, and starts at the Mavell Road Trailhead in Smyrna, Georgia. It ends at the Georgia/Alabama state line, near Cedartown and The Esom Hill Trailhead.
Parking: See this map for trail heads along the route (ie. places to park)
Distance: 61.5 miles
Difficulty: Very Easy
Rentals Available? Yes! Comet Trail Cycles rents, sells and repairs bicycles. The Depot is located at 4342 Floyd Road, Mableton, GA 30126 on the Silver Comet Trail [mile marker 4.2].
Open: The trail is open from dawn to dusk. Due to the seclusion and lack of lighting, the buddy system is recommended for early morning and evening workouts.
STONE MOUNTAIN TRAIL PATH
The Stone Mountain Trail is a 19-mile paved path that links Midtown Atlanta to Stone Mountain Park. It includes the Freedom Park Trail and intersects with the Atlanta Beltline along the way.
Please note that the trail does require on-street travel for almost four miles, in Candler Park and through Clarkston. These sections may not be suitable for children or beginners.
Please note this and many other trails listed here are part of the PATH Foundation, which has been building a network of off-road trails in and around Atlanta for walkers, runners, cyclists, and skaters for more than 25 years. This system of scenic greenways preserves our mountain national region’s forested character and offer opportunities for families to enjoy nature together.
Parking: See this map for parking opportunities
Distance: 19 miles
Difficulty : Moderate – Advanced. There is a short but very steep climb where Stonewall Jackson Drive meets the inner Stone Mountain loop.
BIG CREEK GREENWAY
Big Creek Greenway is traffic-free and relatively flat, which makes it great for families and beginners. It includes plenty of opportunities for bathroom breaks, benches, and water breaks.
The neighborhoods of Alpharetta, Roswell, and Cumming afford a shaded ride and escape to the northern burbs, with far less hustle and bustle than the city. The trail is both paved and soft mulch.
Parking: See this page for parking information.
Distance: 13.5 miles. See this map for section lengths.
Difficulty: Easy
RICO STARR LOOP
More advanced bikers can enjoy the Rico Starr Loop (or the longer Cedar Grove Loop) through Serenbe, south of the city. It’s a street-ride, but the streets in the area are trafficked less than the city, and you’ll love the trees.
Parking: See information here.
Distance: 21 Miles
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate. it’s mostly flat, but it is a long loop.
ARABIA MOUNTAIN PATH
The Arabia Mountain PATH officially contains dozens of smaller rides, which I’ve broken out below based on my own experiences.
For the full official map, see here. But for bike trails, this map from Arabia Mountain is best.
Ride 1: Park at the Arabia Mountain Nature Center or the AWARE parking lot, and head toward the quarry ruins and covered bridge. (On the Arabia Mtn map, head toward 5, 6, and 7 on the map (and back) for a good 1.5 hour ride with kids.
Ride 2: Park at Panola Mountain State Park and ride down to Alexander Lake, circling the lake and back through the barn for a lovely 1.5 hour round trip (again, that was our time with kids.) On the Arabia Mtn map, that’s riding toward 16, 14, 15, then back to 14 as a balloon loop before heading back to the parking lot. 17 is a Serpentine Bridge…not to bike over, but as a point of interest. We have yet to make it that far, but I’m dying to check it out.
Ride 3: We have yet to do this one (it’s on the plan, so I will update when we can) but I’ve read about it in numerous places. Park at South Rockdale Community Park and take the trail back toward Panola Mountain. I’ve heard this part of the trail is very hilly, but the wetlands make it worth it. Have you been?
Ride 4: From the Monastery of the Holy Sprit to Rockdale Community Park. I believe Ride 3+4 together make up what is called the Rockdale River Trail. Although the Monastery is closed as of this writing, parking is plentiful and the grounds are open. It is a wonderful place to spread out a picnic on the expansive lawn and let the kids run around. There is also an avenue of magnolia trees that are perfect for climbing. Although you can’t go into the Heritage Center, you can peak through the gates at the bonsai trees the gift shop sells.
Location: See the official map here. Other parking notes above.
Distance: 30+ miles
Difficulty: Moderate. My young kids are able to handle most of it with ease, but there are a few hills they have to walk their bikes up.
CAMP CREEK GREENWAY
Camp Creek Greenway is a 4.2-mile multi-use trail originating in Lilburn City Park. The Greenway is constructed of sidewalk and boardwalk and features the first PermaTrak (precast concrete) bridge in Georgia. The Greenway is constructed of sidewalk and boardwalk and features the first PermaTrak bridge in Georgia.
Parking: Parking available at Lilburn City Park, Lions Club Park, and Velva Court.
Distance: 4.2 Miles
Difficulty: Easy
Rentals Available? Not available at this time.
Open: Dawn to Dusk
CHASTAIN MEMORIAL PARK
The bike path at Chastain Memorial isn’t long, but it is strenuous. We love the trees, but not the crowds, so we tend to visit this one during the day and not on the weekends.
Chastain Memorial Park is one of the most unique places to go for a bike ride. Bike riders and pedestrians are allowed to use the trails and paths on the golf course. When using the golf course, the park asks everyone do your part to encourage family and friends to protect the course so we can continue its use as a welcomed social distance measure.
Parking: Find a map here, with parking options.
Distance: 3.1 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
NOONDAY CREEK TRAIL
There are currently two sections of this trail...a short one in Woodstock (about 1 mile long near Woofstock Park) and another 6-mile section in Cobb County. Eventually, they should connect, but since they still need to, we’re focusing on the 6 miles stretch.
This is all paved and relatively flat, but the only drawback is that it crosses several busy roads. It’s also close to the main road in many places, which makes it less than ideal for kids, but fine for adults.
Location: The northeastern trailhead is at 3015 Bells Ferry Road – it’s the best place for parking.
Distance: 6-miles
Difficulty: Easy, but crossing busy roads.
Rentals Available? Not at this time.
EASTSIDE BELTLINE TRAIL
These 11 miles of Eastside trail ways are Atlanta’s most well-known and loved…the heartbeat of downtown Atlanta.
While you’re exploring, don’t forget the West End Trail. It stretches 2.4 miles from White Street to Westview Cemetery, seamlessly connecting several Southwest Atlanta neighborhoods, including historic West End, Mozely Park and Westview.
Also, The Northside Trail through Tanyard Creek Park treats visitors to one of the most scenic stretches of the Atlanta BeltLine. The Northside Trail was the first segment of the Atlanta BeltLine trail to open on the north side of Atlanta, and it serves a connector for two previously existing trails.
Parking: Add your address here for access points.
Distance: 11 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Rentals Available? Try Relay Bike Share, Atlanta Bicycle Barn or the electric generated red bikes dotting the line.
SUWANEE GREENWAY
This greenway in Gwinnett includes paved paths and boardwalks over the Suwanee Creek wetlands for a really fun ride. This trail offers a chance to see wildlife; I’ve heard of people happening upon deer, rabbits, turtles, and more.
Parking: See here for address and trail point locations.
Distance: 6.3 miles round trip (Add 2.5 miles by turning right at the end of the boardwalk to follow the paved Ivy Creek Greenway Trail)
Difficulty: easy
SOUTH PEACHTREE CREEK TRAIL
This gem is near our house and on our regular rotation of biking trails – we love it. The trailhead is tucked near the tennis center at Mason Mill Park in Decatur.
The newest trail section connects Emory University’s Clairmont Campus at Starvine Way, safely routing you underneath Clairmont Road before heading past Clairmont Lake toward Mason Mill.
Location: Find a map here with various parking options
Distance: 3.6 miles round trip from Mason Mill to Medlock Park and back.
Difficulty (per trail owner): easy
PROCTER CREEK TRAIL
3.5 miles are open now, as best I can read, but the greenway is expected to eventually link Maddox Park and the Beltline’s Westside Trail for a total of seven miles out to the Chattahoochee River.
The trail has a few hills but is generally an easy right for all-level bikes as well as walkers. It meanders through the proposed Microsoft development and connects to Westside Park, Grove Park, and West Highlands.
Parking: See this map
Distance: 3.5 miles
Difficulty: Easy
EAST COBB PARK
This is a great park for young kids to feel comfortable on their bikes. At only 1 mile, I almost hesitated to add it…but everyone needs a place to learn! With the playground and regular activities, it’s just a fun place to explore.
Location: 3322 Roswell Road Marietta
Distance: 1 mile paved
Difficulty: Easy
CARROLLTON GREENBELT
The Carrollton Greenbelt is a 16-mile circular trail around the City of Carrollton. The trail traverses the University of West Georgia campus, skirts the Sunset Hills Golf Course, visits marshes and parks and scores of neighborhoods
Parking: Find all parking and trailhead distance info here.
Distance: 16.3 miles
Difficulty: Easy-Moderate (several sections require crossing major roads)
NANCY CREEK TRAIL
This was another “regular” bike ride for us when we lived in the area a few years ago. It’s a great bike ride in the city that shows off why Atlanta is known as a “City in a Forest.”
The Nancy Creek Trail connects Murphy-Candler Park to Blackburn Park and Johnson Ferry Estates in the City of Brookhaven. The trail begins at the southern end of Murphy-Candler Lake and ends at Ashton Woods Retirement Center on Durden Drive.
Location: Find parking places here. We prefer parking at Murphy-Candler.
Distance: 2.3 miles one way
Difficulty: Easy
SYKES PARK
East Point has been working alongside Mountain Bike Atlanta to improve the biking trails at Sykes Park. Now they have two awesome trails for cyclists to enjoy.
With both a beginner and intermediate trails, there is something for everyone. The beginner trail was formerly a nature trail, and the intermediate trail was finished in 2018.
The trails at here are part of a planned network of more trails called “Ride or Fly” since they’re so close to the Atlanta Airport.
Location: Earl Godfrey Circle, East Point. Parking is free.
Distance: 2 miles
Difficulty: Easy and Moderate
MICHELLE OBAMA WALKING TRAIL
We recently happened along this PATH trail when we were visiting Ferns of the World on the GSU Decatur Campus. It connects the campus to the radio-controlled airfield on Constitution Road via Gresham Park and Sugar Creek Golf Course.
It features a trail head near Bouldercrest Road and Constitution, a tunnel under Bouldercrest Road, scenic overlooks of the South River, a bridge over Sugar Creek, and spur trails to surrounding neighborhoods.
FYI, it was previously called the South River Trail but was renamed the Michelle Obama Walking Trail in honor the former first lady, in January 2018.
Location: Park either at the GSU Decatur Campus trailhead off Pantherville Rd or the Radio Control Airfield.
Distance: 5.6 Miles
Difficulty: Easy
GETTING AROUND ATLANTA
MORE INFORMATION FOR YOUR ATLANTA AREA VISIT
- YOUR GEORGIA VACATION
- ATLANTA FUN: 53+ Things to do in Atlanta You Shouldn’t Miss (From Locals Who Know)
- PARKS AND PLAYGROUNDS: Best Playgrounds & Play Spaces For Kids in the Metro
- ATLANTA DOG PARKS: 16 Popular Dog Parks Atlanta and Fido Adore
- ATLANTA SPRAYGROUNDS: 31+ Spraygrounds In Atlanta Families Will Love
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She relishes the discovery of obscure, offbeat and unwonted places, and she will chat up any willing stranger to uncover a new secret locale. If she’s not exploring in the RV, she’s either hiking the trails or checking out the whiskey scene at their current location.
Lesli lives and travels with her two kiddos -Cooper and Elliot- and her soul mate, husband and business partner, Dan. They call Colorado home, at least for the moment.
