11 Best Trails in Atlanta

Cochran Shoals Trail - River Loop is a scenic Atlanta hiking area following the Chattahoochee River through a mix of flat paths, wooded stretches, foothills and steeper intermediate sections. The setting feels refreshingly natural, with tall trees, open views and water nearby for much of the walk.

The Atlanta Beltline Eastside Trail turns an urban walk into a constantly changing Atlanta outing. The multi-use route connects parks, neighborhoods, public art, restaurants, breweries, galleries and local businesses, creating plenty of reasons to pause along the way rather than treating the trail as a simple point-to-point exercise.

Tanyard Creek Park brings together a compact green setting, a creekside atmosphere, and easy routes for walking or casual biking in Atlanta. Its paved paths, bridges, and connecting dirt trails create more variety than the park’s modest size might suggest, with several routes to explore and views toward the golf course.

The creek is the defining feature, adding running water, small waterfalls, and a quieter natural feel within the city. The trail connects with the BeltLine and is approachable for an easy outing, including a nearly three-mile bike route with gentle elevation changes. Families have access to two playground areas, slides, swings, picnic tables, and kid-friendly hikes. Dogs are allowed, making the park a flexible choice for a short nature break, a family visit, or a relaxed walk beside the water.

Lullwater Preserve is a tranquil Atlanta park where wooded paths, wildlife and water create a quiet retreat within the city. The setting is especially appealing for unhurried walks and runs, with scenic views, mature surroundings and the possibility of seeing deer, owls, turtles or other wildlife along the way.

Cascade Springs Nature Preserve packs a waterfall, a moss-covered historic springhouse and Civil War earthworks into a compact Atlanta nature escape. Dirt paths wind through rolling forest toward Utoy Creek, where rocky banks, boulders and shaded water add variety to an otherwise short, accessible hike.

Doll’s Head Trail offers one of Atlanta’s most unusual nature walks: an easy loop through woods, water and boardwalks decorated with surreal found-object art made from discarded doll parts. The result is peaceful in places, playful in others and distinctly strange, giving an ordinary stroll a strong creative identity.

Lionel Hampton-Beecher Hills Park is an Atlanta green space with paved and dirt paths, wooded scenery, a playground and family-friendly places to pause. The varied surfaces support leisurely walks, jogging and light exploration, while connections to larger trails add scope for visitors who want to continue beyond the park.

Constitution Lakes offers Atlanta a quiet, swampy landscape of lakes, bridges, birds and wooded trails, with the nearby Doll Head Trail adding an unmistakably offbeat element. The setting is best suited to easy exploration rather than a fast run: some paths are paved or decked, while others become rougher, more overgrown and more immersive.

Hahn Woods is a compact Atlanta park with several ways to explore South Fork Peachtree Creek. The lower loop is a short natural-surface walk beside the water, while longer paths lead toward a waterfall, an old bridge and additional trail connections beneath the roadway. Sandy banks, mature trees and frequent bird and wildlife sightings give the area a pleasantly wild character.

Herbert Taylor Park is a peaceful Atlanta woodland with old-growth trees, two creeks and a network of marked paths that loop through the preserve. Champion trees, a sandbar and shallow creek areas give the walk more character than a standard neighborhood park, while dogs and supervised children can enjoy the water’s edge.

Path400 is a paved Atlanta park trail designed for walking, running and everyday movement through Buckhead. The route is clean, shaded in places and marked by miles, with murals, a retention pond and access toward nearby restaurants, shopping and neighborhoods. Gentle hills add interest without turning the path into a strenuous hike.