Trail Running in Atlanta, GA

The ever popular Silver Comet is a 61.5 mile paved trail that begins in Smyrna and extends all the way to the Georgia/Alabama line in Cedartown. The former rail line turned trail is wide, peaceful and well-maintained, complete with clean restroom facilities, drinking water and free parking at the trailhead. This flat stretch of pavement is particularly advantageous, as you can choose to run as long as you like. Due to the seclusion and lack of lighting, the buddy system is recommended for those early morning and evening runs.

Outside the perimeter on the way to the suburbs, Leita Thompson Memorial Park is ready to train you for all those hikes on the AT. While nature and peace are abound in this 100- plus acre park, looping this hilly trail a couple of times will challenge your inner peace and give you a thorough workout.

An intricate trail network steeped in Civil War history, Kennesaw Mountain offers some of the best and longest trail runs available without venturing hours out of town.

The Pigeon Hill Loop is a very strenuous and tricky run, and is recommended for more experienced trail runners only, due to steep inclines, drop offs and incredibly rocky terrain. This trail is part of the Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park, but is a good 5.4 trek from the visitor center. It is a great place to push your limits, providing a very formidable workout for those who are up for the challenge. Less experienced trail runners may want to walk the trail a few times before attempting to run it to avoid injury. Due to the dangerousness of this trail, use of the buddy system is highly advised.

This trail system offers a great 5k loop, and a myriad of picturesque areas to explore from forests and marshlands to rocky dirt trails. This is an ever popular place to run, hike or bike, and locals flock to the area on a regular basis.

Murphey Candler Park offers an in-town combination of neighborhood hum, lake views, and wooded trails. Settled in between Dunwoody and Brookhaven, trail running at Murphey Candler Park is convenient for short to medium-distance runners looking for a loop.

For the natural terrain of trails without the steep inclines, the Sope Creek Trail loop leads you through gentle climbs, wide turns and alongside two of Atlanta’s creeks.

This 30-acre park offers trail running and hiking in an urban oasis, with packed trails and creek crossings.

Sawnee Mountain Preserve in Cumming, Georgia is an easy, 3.5 mile trail with lookouts of the North Georgia Mountains.