10 Best Bike Paths In Atlanta To Ride In 2025

Q: 2. Can I use an e-bike on all Atlanta trails?

Mostly, yes — especially Class 1 and 2. But some parks and city streets still limit access, so check posted rules.

Q: 3. Is the Silver Comet Trail really that long?

Yep. It’s about 60 miles , all the way into Alabama if you’re up for it. Great for training or bikepacking.

If you’re planning to explore Atlanta on two wheels, 2025 might just be the year to start pedaling.

There’s something quietly exciting happening in the city — a slow but steady transformation. Bike lanes weaving into places you didn’t expect, communities hosting ride-along, even city planners getting a little more bike-savvy.

Whether you’re a casual rider with normal riding skill level looking for a weekend breeze or someone who sees a bike as a second home, Atlanta’s got something waiting on its multi-use trails.

Sure, Atlanta’s always had its ups and downs (literally — those hills can sneak up on you), but the biking scene? It’s starting to feel like a real part of the city’s rhythm.

With miles of advanced trails — paved, multi-use, scenic, and in some cases… surprisingly peaceful — the city is more bike-friendly than ever.

From local families on the BeltLine to serious cyclists clocking miles on the Silver Comet, Atlanta’s cycling community is growing. And it’s not just a trend — it feels like a shift with a lot of cycling opportunities.

Discovering 10 of the Best Bike Paths in Atlanta to Ride

Let’s dig into the 10 best bike paths in Atlanta to ride this year — whether you’re visiting for a long weekend or finally checking out that popular routes everyone keeps mentioning.

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Why Bike in Atlanta in 2025?

✔️ Improvements in Cycling Infrastructure

Over the past few years, Atlanta has quietly built itself into a bit of a cycling hub. Maybe not the loud, flashy kind — but the kind you notice when you see a new stretch of greenway pop up between neighborhoods or an old industrial road converted into a multiuse trail.

The city’s Strategic Partners and transportation teams are slowly stitching together a regional trail network connecting Fulton, DeKalb, and even parts of Cobb County.

By 2025, several key paths — like parts of the Beltline Southside Trail and extensions through Maddox Park — are finally seeing the light of day. And there’s talk of bigger things: dedicated trail upgrades, pump tracks, and even leadership programs tied to local school campuses and biking.

You’ll find bike-friendly signs popping up in places they never used to be… and honestly, it’s kind of hopeful.

✔️ Climate & Scenery Perfect for Outdoor Riders

Atlanta’s seasons bring their own kind of magic. Spring? The cherry blossoms along some trails feel like nature showing off.

Summer mornings are perfect if you head out early (trust me, beat the heat). Fall brings this golden, rust-colored glow that makes every ride feel cinematic. And even winter — mild, with enough crisp air to wake you up, but rarely so cold it stops you.

So yeah… 2025 seems like a good year to get moving.

1. Atlanta BeltLine Eastside Trail

✔️ Urban Vibes & Art Installations

If you haven’t heard about the BeltLine, well… you will. The Eastside Trail is the unofficial favorite — the one where skyline views sneak up between trees and graffiti-covered walls make every turn a little more photogenic.

It weaves through Candler Park, connects you to Krog Street Market, and brushes right past Ponce City Market — which, if you’re hungry post-ride, is a very convenient coincidence.

This isn’t just a trail. It’s a blend — cyclists, runners, dog walkers, strollers, street musicians. You’ll see couples biking to brunch, locals heading to work, and folks on scenic routes who maybe just want a peaceful loop with a side of art.

✔️ Tips for Visiting in 2025

Try weekday mornings or late afternoon rides — weekends get packed. Seriously. If you’re looking for a quiet scenic ride, early is better. Rentals? Easy.

Local shops and Relay Bike Share stations are all over. Parking can be tricky near Ponce, so maybe ride in from a less crowded segment like the Bitsy Grant Connector Trail.

Also — bring a bell. You’ll thank me later.

2. Silver Comet Trail

✔️ Long-Distance Escape from the City

This one’s the opposite vibe of the BeltLine — less chatter, more trees. The Silver Comet Trail stretches westward from Smyrna toward the Alabama border. We’re talking over 60 miles of paved trail — smooth asphalt, gentle grades, and almost no car traffic. Once you’re out there, it’s just you, your bike, and long stretches of green.

It’s perfect for longer rides, advanced riders training for big events, or anyone craving a proper cycling escape at Atlanta’s must-see bike trails. You can zone out and just… ride.

I once met a guy halfway through the trail who’d started that morning near Hiram and was planning to make it all the way to the Chief Ladiga Trail in Alabama. He had one water bottle and a bag of almonds. Wild plan, but inspiring.

✔️ Family-Friendly Stops Along the Way

The cool thing? It doesn’t have to be a marathon. There are plenty of gentle entry points with picnic spots, shaded benches, and wide-open parks nearby. Places like Florence Road Trailhead or the Mavell Road access point offer ample parking and even some trail maps for first-timers.

Bring the kids, pack snacks, and just ride until someone wants ice cream. Then circle back.

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3. South Peachtree Creek Trail

✔️ A Hidden Gem Near Emory University

Tucked away in the Druid Hills area, this one kind of sneaks up on you. The South Peachtree Creek Trail is quieter than most… almost meditative. It starts near Medlock Park and winds through lush greenery, old boardwalks, and creekside bridges. You can hear birds more than people — which, depending on your mood, is either exactly what you want or just a nice break from the buzz.

It’s only about 3 miles, so not a big commitment — more of a weekend reset than a workout grind. That said, you could easily loop it with other trails or city streets if you’re feeling ambitious.

I’ve biked this trail with a coffee in one hand (not recommended, but I survived), and it felt like moving through a nature documentary… just with more squirrels.

✔️ Wildlife & Nature Encounters

If you’re the type who brakes for turtles or gets excited spotting herons, this is your trail. Expect native wildflowers in spring, thick tree cover in summer, and bursts of color come fall. It’s paved but narrow in spots — definitely more suited for casual riders than groups or fast road cyclists.

Pro tip: Go slow. Soak it in.

4. Freedom Parkway Trail

✔️ Connecting History with Cycling

Not every ride in Atlanta is about nature. Some trails — like the Freedom Parkway Trail — are about perspective. This one passes landmarks like the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park and The Carter Center. There’s this unique feeling of pedaling through both green spaces and moments that shaped the city.

It’s not long — just a 2–3 mile connector — but it’s a strong piece of the larger cycling network. You can start downtown, follow the trail east, and hit a few scenic overlooks with the city skyline framing your view.

Honestly, it’s easy to overlook this one because it’s so urban, but that’s kind of the charm. It blends history, parks, and pavement all in one go.

✔️ Best Time to Ride for Minimal Traffic

Weekday mornings are golden. The sun hits the buildings just right, and the traffic (foot and vehicle) is minimal. This trail’s wide enough in most sections, but intersections can get busy, especially near Boulevard and Highland Avenue. So if you’re a beginner or riding with family, maybe time your ride before or after rush hour.

5. PATH400 Greenway Trail

✔️ Buckhead’s Urban Green Escape

PATH400 has been growing steadily — a bit here, a stretch there — and now it’s one of Buckhead’s go-to routes for commuters, families, and casual cyclists. You’re riding through one of Atlanta’s busiest districts, but it doesn’t feel like it. Shaded green corridors slip between office towers, condos, and tree-lined streets. Somehow… it works.

There’s a unique contrast here. One minute you’re next to Roswell Rd traffic, the next you’re beneath a canopy of trees with painted murals lining the underpasses. The PATH Foundation really leaned into the urban vibe — and it pays off.

6. Chastain Park Trail

✔️ Loop Around Atlanta’s Largest City Park

Chastain Park is… well, it’s kind of Atlanta’s do-it-all park. You’ve got tennis courts, a horse barn, picnic pavilions, even a performing arts amphitheater. And weaving through all of that? A mellow 3-mile loop of trails that’s surprisingly friendly for beginner riders and families with kids.

The surface is mostly smooth — part asphalt, part concrete — and it stays pretty level. So if you’re just easing into biking again or you’ve got little ones tagging along, it’s a solid pick. You’ll pass by baseball fields, shaded residential neighborhoods, and on weekends, probably a few strollers and dogs in sweaters. (It’s Buckhead, after all.)

I remember one Sunday ride where a kid passed me on a scooter… wearing a cape. He gave me a peace sign. Honestly? It made my whole day.

✔️ What’s New in 2025 at Chastain Park?

There’s been buzz about updated rest areas and improved trail signage this year, plus a few bike-friendly upgrades to existing parking areas. The city’s been working on improving the active transportation strategy here — making it safer for cyclists and more accessible overall. Expect more clearly marked bike paths and maybe a few small events tied into community rides or leadership programs.

If you’re in town and want something chill without heading too far out of the city, Chastain should be high on your list.

7. Nancy Creek Trail

✔️ Ideal for a Quiet, Scenic Ride

Tucked between neighborhoods in north-central Atlanta, Nancy Creek Trail is a quieter little ride — but don’t let that fool you. It’s beautiful in that understated, “locals only” kind of way.

The paved path flows alongside, you guessed it, Nancy Creek. There are shaded parts, subtle elevation shifts, and a few bridges that make the ride just interesting enough without veering into “mountain bike trail” territory.

A lot of the traffic here is foot-based — runners, dog walkers, folks pushing strollers — so it’s a good spot for a slower-paced ride. You won’t get the wide multiuse trail feel like you do with something like the Silver Comet or BeltLine Southside Trail… but sometimes that’s the charm.

✔️ Ideal for Casual Riders and Families

This isn’t the place to bring your gravel bike and go all-out, but it is ideal for that Saturday afternoon ride where you’re mostly just enjoying the weather and maybe chatting while you pedal.

There are a few entry points near residential neighborhoods with accessible parking spaces, and the overall vibe here is… calm. If Atlanta has a “biking to decompress” spot, Nancy Creek is probably it.

8. Proctor Creek Greenway

✔️ New Expansion Plans in 2025

This one’s exciting — and honestly, a bit overdue. Proctor Creek Greenway is finally getting some love. The city, along with several strategic partners, is expanding the trail in 2025 to better connect the Westside Park area to neighborhoods that historically haven’t had strong access to biking infrastructure.

If you’re not familiar with this part of Atlanta, Westside Park is massive — the largest in the city, actually — and full of potential. The Greenway builds on that, offering a dedicated trail that links communities to nature, recreation, and, eventually, the wider PATH trail network.

The existing paved trail already runs a few miles and includes parts of the regional trail network, but the vision is way bigger. The new segments will help tie in bike paths from Maddox Park, Grove Park, and beyond.

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Questions to Answer:

What neighborhoods does it connect?

Right now, it ties together parts of Grove Park, Bankhead, and the Westside Beltline corridor. The 2025 updates are expected to push it further into Fulton County and possibly connect with nearby city school campus routes and other urban paths.

Is it suitable for e-bikes or strollers?

Totally. Most of the trail is asphalt or concrete — smooth, wide, and gently sloped. It’s one of the better beginner-friendly road rides for folks testing out their new e-bike or just looking for a scenic ride that doesn’t involve too much effort.

9. Arabia Mountain PATH Trail

✔️ For the Adventurous & Nature-Loving Rider

This one’s for the riders who crave a little adventure… but don’t necessarily want to bring a mountain bike or get mud in their shoes. The Arabia Mountain PATH Trail feels like it drops you into another world — farmlands, dense forests, lakes, even ancient granite outcrops that look straight out of a sci-fi movie.

It’s part of the larger 60-mile trail system stretching through DeKalb County, but most people focus on the 30-ish mile section connecting Lithonia to Panola Mountain and Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area.

The terrain is… well, mixed. Some parts are smooth, gently winding through tree tunnels, while others throw in hills and curves that’ll leave your legs asking questions halfway through.

Still, it’s paved, and you don’t need to be an advanced rider to enjoy it. Just maybe pace yourself.

I once stopped mid-ride to watch a fox disappear into the tall grass near Alexander Lake — didn’t expect that on a bike ride, honestly.

10. Stone Mountain Trail

✔️ Scenic Ride to a Georgia Landmark

Stone Mountain Trail is like a greatest-hits ride — part urban grind, part suburban breeze, ending with one of Georgia’s most iconic backdrops. You start near downtown Atlanta, wind your way through city streets, residential neighborhoods, and pockets of nature… and 19 miles later, you’re staring up at that massive granite dome.

It’s a paved trail, for the most part, though it doesn’t feel like a dedicated trail the entire time. You’ll be riding alongside traffic in places, which might not thrill beginner riders. Still, it’s part of the beauty — that gradual shift from the urban environment to parkland.

There’s even a short detour near Candler Park where you can grab coffee or take a breather. Some folks turn back there. Others push through the final few miles to the Stone Mountain Park entrance, where you can lock up your bike and hike or picnic.

Tips for Beginners Trying the Full Route

Start early. The first half can get busy, and the second half gets hot in summer.
Bring water (not optional).
Expect transitions. It’s not a pure multiuse trail — some segments cut through traffic-heavy zones. Know your route and check a bike paths in Atlanta map before heading out.
Watch for hills. There are a few — nothing wild, but they sneak up on you.

Honestly, this one’s more about the journey than the destination… unless you love giant rocks.

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🔧 Bike Rentals, Safety Tips, and Resources in Atlanta

✔️ Where to Rent or Repair a Bike in 2025

If you’re visiting Atlanta without a bike — or maybe yours is making that weird clicking sound again — no worries. The city’s pretty generous when it comes to rentals and repairs. Whether you’re looking for a casual ride or need something more performance-focused for the Beltline trails or longer asphalt trail routes, you’ve got options.

Here are a few popular places in Atlanta (and apps) to check out:

Relay Bike Share – Atlanta’s main public bike rental network. These bright blue bikes are scattered all over the city, especially near trailheads like the Eastside Trail and Midtown.
Comet Trail Cycles – Great if you’re planning to tackle the Silver Comet Trail. They also offer repairs and quick tune-ups.
Atlanta Cycling (Ansley or Vinings) – High-end gear, e-bikes, and knowledgeable staff. Plus, they’re heavily involved in the cycling community.
Sosebee Cycling Park (just north of the city) – If you’re into more advanced riding, they’ve got some serious setups here — often used for training or annual cycling events.
Beltline Bike Shop – Community-focused, family-oriented, and ideal for folks looking to support local efforts.

And yeah, bring a helmet — even if you think you’ll look weird. Trust me, you’d rather protect your head than your pride.

✔️ Biking Etiquette and Trail Rules

Atlanta’s making strides when it comes to being more bike friendly, but shared trails mean… well, sharing. Here are a few unspoken (and spoken) rules:

Yield to pedestrians. Even if they’re walking in the bike lane with headphones on.
Announce yourself. A simple “on your left” works. Bells are even better.
Stay right, pass left. You’d be surprised how many people forget this.
Don’t block the trail. Pull over if you’re stopping — especially on narrow multiuse trails.
Lights at night. Seriously. Not just to see, but to be seen.

Also worth noting: e-bike rules are shifting. As of 2025, most city-managed bike paths in Atlanta allow Class 1 and 2 e-bikes, but double-check signs — some city parks still restrict them.

And yes, if you’re wondering, scooters are technically allowed in a few areas… but expect glares if you bring one on a popular segment of a scenic ride.

If you’re planning to hit a trail like the 33-mile long Chief Ladiga Trail, know that rules change when you cross into other counties. Some areas (like Clayton County or Forsyth County) enforce speed limits for riders. Feels strange… but it’s a thing.

🗺️ How to Plan Your Atlanta Cycling Adventure

Suggested Itineraries for a Day or Weekend

You don’t need to be a hardcore cyclist to plan a fun ride in Atlanta — you just need a little direction and a vague idea of what kind of vibe you’re going for.

Here’s a quick breakdown based on mood:

🚲 For the Scenic Explorer

Start on the Eastside Trail, grab coffee at Krog Street Market, loop into Candler Park, then cut through Armand Park Confluence Trail for quieter views. Pack light snacks, stop often, take photos.

👨‍👩‍👧 For Families or Beginner Riders

Head to Chastain Park or the PATH400 Greenway Trail. Easy loops, safe crossings, picnic spots, and nearby restrooms. Most parking is free or low-fee with ample parking available.

🌄 For the Weekend Warrior

Plan a long loop: Silver Comet Trail > stop at Comet Trail Cycles > maybe camp or Airbnb overnight. If you’re more into the MTB trails, check out North Cooper Lake Park or Mountain Park — both have solid trail surfaces and just enough challenge.

Best Time of Year to Ride in Atlanta

Spring and fall are, hands down, the best. You’ll catch cherry blossoms around March and that golden fall foliage around late October. Winter rides are possible too — Atlanta winters are mild — but mornings can be chilly.

Summer? It’s hot. No way around it. If you’re riding in July, start early… or aim for shady city school campus loops and urban environment rides near downtown that pass plenty of water stops.

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🧭 Map of All 10 Bike Trails

Looking for the best route to start with? Downloadable maps are available on AllTrails, Strava, or even via the city’s cycling map portal. If you’re more analog, most bike shops will have paper maps for free or cheap — especially if you’re venturing out to Gwinnett County, Henry County, or Cobb County for longer rides.

✅ Final Thoughts: Which Atlanta Trail Will You Ride First in 2025?

Whether you’re new to cycling or basically live on two wheels, Atlanta’s trail network keeps growing in smart, scenic, and (mostly) practical ways. There’s a 60-mile trail, a 1.4-mile path behind your neighborhood, a shady loop of trails through beautiful neighborhoods, and everything in between.

So… which one’s calling you first?

Let us know if you’ve got a go-to favorite — or if there’s a popular segment you think deserves more love. And hey, if you’re thinking of planning a longer trip around cycling in Georgia, we’ve got guides coming for Peachtree City, Fulton County loops, and active transportation strategy developments that may change how we ride in the years ahead.

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