Escape sidewalks and crosswalks on our favorite Atlanta running trails, all within 20 miles of the city.
Sure, nearly every sidewalk in Atlanta offers a place put in some miles. But sidewalks meet crosswalks, and crosswalks meet Atlanta’s infamous car traffic. Our favorite running trails in Atlanta skip the traffic, wind through the city’s many rolling parks, and offer a chance to get a great workout with a scenic backdrop.
Enjoy a traffic-free, nature-filled workout on our favorite Atlanta running trails! New to the trail? Check out our trail running beginner’s guide for tips on getting started, from finding a great trail shoe and gear, to trail safety and trail-friendly tips on your stride. And to keep your motivation high, sign up for a local 5k race, and follow our beginner 5k training plan and training tips to help get you to the starting line.
Top places to run in Atlanta
Here’s a list of top ten our all-time favorite places to grab a great workout in metro ATL. Some are paved, and some are unpaved. Most are medium distance and cover gentle, rolling elevation through some of Atlanta’s most popular parks. And they’re all ultra-scenic: they’re sure to add some beauty to your workout.
gravel trail / level
Cochran Shoals Trail on the Chattahoochee River
3.1 miles, round trip
The 5k loop at Cochran Shoals follows the banks of the Chattahoochee River and explores scenic marshlands and meadows. It’s quite possibly Atlanta’s favorite place to run, and the trail quickly fills up on fair-weather weekends. With wide, level, gravel trails and abundant natural scenery, it’s no wonder this trail is so popular. (Looking for some solitude? We love hitting this trail on mid-week mornings, when the crowds are considerably thinner.)
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paved trail / rolling hills
Piedmont Park
4 miles, round trip
Explore Atlanta’s iconic Piedmont Park on this popular, steady-pace, mostly-paved 4-mile loop, passing Piedmont’s most traversed spots and a few hidden gems.
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paved trail / flat and fast
Silver Comet Trail
1 – 40+ miles
Explore a segment of the epic-length Silver Comet Trail near Atlanta. This rail trail spans more than 60 miles, stretching to Alabama and covering flat, scenic terrain. One mile to one hundred, it’s a great paved trail for some intense training miles or a leisurely jog.
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paved trail / level
Eastside Beltline Trail
4 miles, round trip
Follow the paved Eastside BeltLine Trail from Piedmont Park to Ponce City Market, Inman Park and Old Fourth Ward Park. Expect some company on the trail: it’s one of Midtown’s favorite places for a stroll.
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paved trail / some hills
West Palisades Trail at Paces Mill Park
3.6 miles, round trip
Follow this ultra-scenic, paved multi-trail combo on the banks of the Chattahoochee River, catching view after scenic view at Paces Mill Park. The trail explores the banks of Rottenwood Creek, a scenic tributary, before rolling elevation over several hills to a small, tumbling waterfall below a towering highway overpass. Nature meets city on this great intown workout!
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paved trails & boardwalk / level
Suwanee Greenway Trail at Suwanee Creek Park
6 miles, round trip
Explore a beautiful wetland on the Suwanee Greenway, a paved, gently rolling trail just north of Atlanta. Up for a longer route? Score some more mileage by adding the connecting Ivy Creek Greenway, making a great eight-mile workout.
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boardwalk through the treetops / some hills
South Peachtree Creek Trail at Mason Mill Park
3.6 miles, round trip
Grab a scenic creekside workout on the South Peachtree Creek Trail in Decatur, exploring the historic ruins of the Decatur Waterworks at Mason Mill Park. The trail explores treetops on an elevated boardwalk, catching beatiful creekside views.
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dirt trail / hills
Cheatham Hill Loop Trail at Kennesaw Mountain
5.8 miles, round trip
Follow this unpaved loop trail in the shadow of nearby Kennesaw Mountain. The trail explores meadows, forest and grassy Civil War battlefields, passing historic cannons and monuments on a wide loop to Kolb’s Farm.
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paved trail / some hills
Tribble Mill Park Trail
2.8 miles, round trip
Follow the paved path at Tribble Mill Park, circling the tranquil waters of Ozora Lake. It’s one of our favorite places for a scenic workout in Gwinnett County, thanks to the trail’s terrain, smooth surface, and a great variety of scenery along the loop.
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dirt trail / level
Murphey Candler Park Trail
2 miles, round trip
Score an easy two-mile loop around a small lake at Murphey Candler Park in Brookhaven. This unpaved trail explores a gently rolling, shady forest before crossing through the park’s picnic areas, catching beautiful view after view of the park’s scenic lake.
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Please Remember
Always leave no trace, pack out everything you pack in, and if you see trash, pick it up and pack it out.
Stay on the marked trail, tell someone where you're going, pack safety and wayfinding essentials, and don't rely on a mobile phone to find your way. Please always practice good trail etiquette. And before you go, always check the trailhead kiosk, official maps, and the park or ranger office for notices of changed routes, trail closures, safety information, and restrictions.
