Routes

Atlanta offers a diverse mix of urban and natural routes that make it a standout city for runners of all levels. The Atlanta BeltLine serves as the city’s signature route, an evolving 22-mile loop of multi-use trails connecting neighborhoods, parks, and public art, with the Eastside and Westside Trails especially popular for their lively energy and access to coffee shops and breweries. Piedmont Park, Atlanta’s green centerpiece, features scenic loops, rolling hills, and skyline views, often linking seamlessly with the Freedom Park Trail, which extends east toward the Carter Center and the PATH network. The PATH Foundation trails span much of the metro area, including favorites like the Stone Mountain Trail and Peachtree Creek Greenway. For a quieter, more natural escape, the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area offers soft-surface trails with forested views and river breezes, while the Silver Comet Trail, a 60+ mile paved rail trail stretching from Smyrna into rural Georgia and Alabama, provides one of the best long-distance running routes in the Southeast.

1. Eastside Beltline & Piedmont Park

Atlanta's BeltLine project is an urban redevelopment initiative that aims to transform a former railway corridor into a 22-mile loop of multi-use trails encircling the city. The Eastside BeltLine is the most popular section, packed with art installations, trendy restaurants, cafés, breweries, and popular shopping areas.

- Eastside BeltLine
• Start & Finish: Trailhead under I-85 to Glenwood Ave
• Route Profile: 5.6 miles one-way, 228 ft+, multi-use path
Between I-85 and Piedmont Park, the BeltLine is newly paved with no commercial activity. However, once you pass Piedmont Park, the trail becomes much busier with a mix of users, drawn by its central location and proximity to numerous apartment buildings. The vibrant energy is enhanced by local businesses, cafes, and shops that line the path. As you continue past Dekalb Ave into Reynoldstown, the trail becomes quieter again, but the stunning block-long mural wall along Wylie St is a must-see for anyone exploring the BeltLine. The Eastside BeltLine crosses Freedom Park Trail (Route #4), adding another fantastic urban running option. 

- Piedmont Park
Piedmont Park is Atlanta's most iconic and expansive green space. Nestled in the heart of Midtown, it offers a serene escape amid the urban landscape. The park boasts gently rolling hills, sprawling open meadows, and over four miles of paved paths perfect for walking, running, or cycling. At its center lies the Active Oval, a popular recreation area featuring sports fields and a 0.54-mile dirt running track.

Run Clubs
@atlantarunclub meets at Ponce City Market (Mon PM) and Piedmont Park (Sat AM)
@atltrailrunners also runs in this area with rotating meetup points and routes.  

Cafe
There are numerous coffee shops and cafes along the BeltLine and near Piedmont Park. Some of my favorites include Larakin in Midtown, Chrome Yellow on Edgewood Ave, and Little Tart Bakeshop in Grant Park.

Transit
There isn’t direct MARTA Metro access to the Eastside BeltLine (such a shame!) but several stations are within walking distance from Piedmont Park or the BeltLine.

2. Southside Beltline & Grant Park

• Start & Finish: Boulevard trailhead to West End trailhead
• Route Profile: 3.3 miles one-way, 116 ft+, multi-use path with part of the trail unpaved

Partially unpaved and somewhat removed from Atlanta's urban core, the Southside BeltLine is the quietest section of the existing BeltLine trails, offering a tranquil experience that contrasts with the bustling, modern atmosphere of the Eastside BeltLine.

As of Spring 2024, the Southside BeltLine is closed between Boulevard SE and Glenwood Ave, where it connects to the Eastside BeltLine (Route #1). The section between Boulevard SE and Pittsburgh Yards is unpaved and may be closed for construction. West of Pittsburgh Yards, the trail is paved and transitions into the Westside BeltLine (Route #3) at Lee Street.

- Grant Park
Established in 1883, Grant Park is Atlanta’s oldest city park. Running in or around Grant Park is a great complement to the BeltLine routes. Nearby in the Summerhill neighborhood, Cheney Stadium, once a warm-up facility for track and field athletes during the 1996 Olympic Games, remains one of the few public tracks in Atlanta. Visitors to Atlanta should also check out the Olympic Cauldron Tower.

Run Clubs
@atltrailrunners meets at Grant Park Perc Coffee every Monday morning;
@atlantarunclub hosts an easy recovery run from Peoples Town Coffee every Sunday at noon;
Cheney Stadium is the default track workout location for Atlanta runners and run clubs.

Cafe
Little Tart Bakeshop, my favorite bakery in Atlanta, has two beautiful cafes located west and north of Grant Park.

Transit
There isn’t direct MARTA Metro access to the Southside BeltLine, but several stations are located near Grant Park and connecting trails, such as the BeltLine and Freedom Park Trail.

3. Westside Beltline & Lionel Hampton Park

- Westside BeltLine
• Start & Finish: West End Rose Circle Park to Washington Park
• Route Profile: 2.5 miles one-way, 63 ft+, multi-use path

This 2.5-mile section is the main component of the Westside BeltLine. The paved path is separated from car traffic, providing a safe and scenic route. It is also known for its vibrant public art, featuring murals, sculptures, and installations that reflect the cultural diversity and creative spirit of Atlanta's west side.

To the south, Westside BeltLine transitions into the Southside BeltLine (Route #2) at Lee Street/Murphy Avenue. To the north, an extension project is underway between Washington Park and Donald Lee Hollowell Parkway. Further north, the BeltLine continues along Marietta Boulevard, with a connector leading to Downtown Atlanta, and another paved trail in Westside Park. All these additional trails are detailed in Route #7.

- Lionel Hampton-Beecher Hills Park & Trail
Another excellent running destination in this area is Lionel Hampton-Beecher Hills Park, located two miles west of the Westside BeltLine. The park features two paved paths and dirt trails surrounding them. The trail system can be accessed from three main points: Willis Mill Road to the north and south, and Westwood Avenue to the east (closest to the Westside BeltLine).

Cafe
Redeveloped from the West End community’s former "Warehouse Row," Lee + White has become a vibrant destination offering a variety of cafes, breweries, and shops.

Transit
The Westside BeltLine is conveniently accessible from MARTA's West End and Ashby stations, with additional bus routes also serving the area.

4. Freedom Park & Trail

Freedom Park is one of Atlanta's largest and most iconic green spaces, located in the city's east side. It spans over 200 acres and serves as a key connector between several vibrant neighborhoods, including Candler Park, Poncey-Highland, Inman Park, and the Old Fourth Ward. The park was created in the 1990s on land that was initially acquired for an expressway project that was eventually turned down by the local community. (Fact I learned from running with @atlantasnackclub 🥨) The park is known for its blend of natural beauty, public art installations, and historical significance. 

• Start & Finish: Jackson St Bridge to Shady Side Park on Ponce De Leon Ave
• Route Profile: 2.82 miles one-way, 133 ft+, multi-use path, some street crossings

The main section of the Freedom Park Trail runs east-west along John Lewis Freedom Parkway and forms part of the 19-mile Stone Mountain Trail between Downtown Atlanta and Stone Mountain. The trail intersects with the Eastside BeltLine in the Old Fourth Ward, passes by the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum, and continues through Freedom Park. A series of sculptures line the trail between the Eastside BeltLine and Oakdale Rd, adding artistic interest to the scenic route.

The park features two connector trails: one branch to the north runs through the Poncey-Highland neighborhood, while another to the south meanders through the Inman Park neighborhood.

Run Clubs
Given its central location and great connectivity, Freedom Park Trail is one of the top running locations in the city. @atltrailrunners frequently run on Freedom Park Trail, both during their Wed PM run from Ponce City Market, and their Friday AM run from East Pole Coffee (my favorite!)

Cafe
Nestled between some of Atlanta's trendiest neighborhoods—Highland, Old Fourth Ward, and Inman Park—the trails are surrounded by a variety of coffee shops, bakeries, and cafes.

Transit
The southern end of the trail, in Inman Park, is accessible via the MARTA Blue Line. Ponce De Leon Avenue is served by relatively frequent bus routes, but beyond these, public transit options to the trails are limited.

3. Westside Beltline & Lionel Hampton Park

- Westside BeltLine
• Start & Finish: West End Rose Circle Park to Washington Park
• Route Profile: 2.5 miles one-way, 63 ft+, multi-use path

This 2.5-mile section is the main component of the Westside BeltLine. The paved path is separated from car traffic, providing a safe and scenic route. It is also known for its vibrant public art, featuring murals, sculptures, and installations that reflect the cultural diversity and creative spirit of Atlanta's west side.

To the south, Westside BeltLine transitions into the Southside BeltLine (Route #2) at Lee Street/Murphy Avenue. To the north, an extension project is underway between Washington Park and Donald Lee Hollowell Parkway. Further north, the BeltLine continues along Marietta Boulevard, with a connector leading to Downtown Atlanta, and another paved trail in Westside Park. All these additional trails are detailed in Route #7.

- Lionel Hampton-Beecher Hills Park & Trail
Another excellent running destination in this area is Lionel Hampton-Beecher Hills Park, located two miles west of the Westside BeltLine. The park features two paved paths and dirt trails surrounding them. The trail system can be accessed from three main points: Willis Mill Road to the north and south, and Westwood Avenue to the east (closest to the Westside BeltLine).

Cafe / Redeveloped from the West End community’s former "Warehouse Row," Lee + White has become a vibrant destination offering a variety of cafes, breweries, and shops.

Transit / The Westside BeltLine is conveniently accessible from MARTA's West End and Ashby stations, with additional bus routes also serving the area.