Seasoned bikers, families, and little ones just learning – no matter who you are, bike riding is fun for everyone. There are plenty of great Atlanta bike trails in the city and the surrounding metro area. Whether you’re looking for paved family-friendly trails or mountain biking trails, this Georgia city has some great options.
Here are 15+ great Atlanta bike trails we know you and your crew will love.
ATLANTA BIKE TRAILS
SILVER COMET TRAIL (COBB, PAULDING, POLK COUNTIES)
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. It ends at the Georgia/Alabama state line, near Cedartown and The Esom Hill Trailhead. My kids grew up learning to ride their bikes and scooters on this trail, and I can tell you, it’s truly amazing.
- Parking: See this map for trailheads along the route (including places to park).
- Distance: 61.5 miles
- 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 (ATLANTA TO STONE MOUNTAIN PARK)
The Stone Mountain Trail is an 18.4-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. It’s part of the PATH Foundation series of trails.
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.
- Parking: See the map for parking opportunities.
- Distance: 18.4 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 (ALPHARETTA, FORSYTH AND FULTON COUNTIES)
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 trail is both paved and soft mulch.
- Parking: See this page for parking information.
- Distance: 26 miles. See this map for section lengths.
- Difficulty: Easy
RICO STARR LOOP (SERENBE)
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 (ARABIA MOUNTAIN NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA)
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 time was biking 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.
- Ride 3: 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.
- Ride 4: From the Monastery of the Holy Spirit to Rockdale Community Park. The Monastery 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.
- Location: See the official map here.
- 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 (LILBURN)
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.
- Parking: Parking available at Lilburn City Park, Lions Club Park, and Velva Court.
- Distance: 4.2 Miles
- Difficulty: Easy
CHASTAIN MEMORIAL PARK (ATLANTA)
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.
- Parking: Find a map here, with parking options.
- Distance: 5 miles
- Difficulty: Moderate
NOONDAY CREEK TRAIL (COBB COUNTY)
The Noonday Creek Trail is a 9.1-mile out-and-back trail that connects Kennesaw Mountain to Bells Ferry Road.
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: 9.1 miles
- Difficulty: Easy, but requires crossing busy roads.
ATLANTA BELTLINE: EASTSIDE TRAIL (ATLANTA)
The Atlanta BeltLine is a collection of multi-use trails, parks, green space, and affordable housing along a 22-mile loop of historic rail lines. The 3 miles that make up the Atlanta BeltLine’s Eastside Trail are Atlanta’s most well-known and loved…the heartbeat of downtown Atlanta.
The Eastside Trail connects to Historic Fourth Ward Park, Historic Fourth Ward Skatepark and Piedmont Park. Enjoy walk-up access to Ponce City Market (with boutique shopping and dining in a historic building) and Krog Street Market (with food stalls and artisan shops), and enjoy art installations along the way.
Learn more about all the other Atlanta BeltLine trails here.
- Distance: 3 miles
- Difficulty: Easy
- Rentals Available? Rent a bike from Atlanta Bicycle Barn or one of the many Relay Bike Share stations.
SUWANEE GREENWAY (GWINNETT COUNTY)
The Suwanee Greenway Trail in Gwinnett County 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 (DECATUR)
The South Peachtree Creek Trail was near our house and on our regular rotation of biking trails – we loved 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: Easy
PROCTOR CREEK TRAIL (ATLANTA)
The Proctor Creek Trail is a 2.4-mile section of the PATH Foundation series of trails. The trail takes you along Proctor Creek from the Bankhead MARTA station to Grove Park and West Highlands neighborhoods.
The trail has a few hills but is generally an easy ride for all-level bikers 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: 2.4 miles
- Difficulty: Easy
EAST COBB PARK (EAST COBB)
East Cobb Park 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!
- Location: 3322 Roswell Road Marietta
- Distance: 1 mile paved
- Difficulty: Easy
CARROLLTON GREENBELT (CARROLLTON)
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, although several sections require crossing major roads.
NANCY CREEK TRAIL (ATLANTA)
The Nancy Creek Trail 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 Murphey-Candler Park to Blackburn Park and Johnson Ferry Estates in the City of Brookhaven. The trail begins at the southern end of Murphey-Candler Lake and ends at Ashton Woods Retirement Center on Durden Drive.
- Location: Find parking places here. We prefer parking at Murphey-Candler.
- Distance: 2.3 miles one way
- Difficulty: Easy
SYKES PARK (EAST POINT)
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.
- Location: Earl Godfrey Circle, East Point. Parking is free.
- Distance: 2 miles
- Difficulty: Easy and Moderate
MICHELLE OBAMA WALKING TRAIL (CLAYTON COUNTY)
We recently happened along the Michelle Obama Walking Trail in Clayton County and loved it. This paved trail goes from Gresham Park to the Georgia Perimeter Campus on Clifton Springs Rd. paralleling Sugar Creek, the South River, and Doolittle Creek.
It features a trailhead 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.
- Location: Park at the GSU Decatur Campus trailhead off Pantherville Rd.
- Distance: 6.5 Miles
- Difficulty: Easy
GETTING AROUND ATLANTA
MORE INFORMATION FOR YOUR ATLANTA AREA VISIT
- YOUR GEORGIA VACATION
- ATLANTA: 53+ Things to do in Atlanta You Shouldn’t Miss (From Locals Who Know)
- PLAYGROUNDS: Best Playgrounds & Play Spaces For Kids in the Metro
- DOG PARKS: 16 Popular Dog Parks Atlanta and Fido Adore
- SPRAYGROUNDS: 31+ Spraygrounds in Atlanta Families Will Love
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With a lifetime of journeys that span multiple countries and over 30 states in the US, her passion for travel was sparked by a nomadic lifestyle.
Lesli thrives on unearthing lesser-known, eccentric, and unique destinations, and engaging with locals to reveal hidden gems. Whether she's adventuring across the country in her RV, trekking through the forest, or delving into the local whiskey scene, Lesli's exploratory spirit remains unquenchable.
She travels with her two young explorers - Cooper and Elliot - and her husband, soulmate, and business partner, Dan. Currently, they're enjoying an extended stay in the rugged west, but Atlanta is still close to her heart. Her extensive travel experience and profound love for Atlanta give Lesli an unparalleled advantage when it comes to serving the South (and the world's busiest airport) with travel content from around the globe.