Freedom Park is one of Atlanta’s large city parks. The heart of Freedom Park is the Carter Center, which is well worth a visit. The area is very green and shaded. There are pleasant running/biking trails heading east from Parkway Dr. to Chandler Park, south toward Inman. I have two suggested routes for this area: the entire 2.5 mile (one-way) Freedom Parkway Trail, from the Martin Luther King National Historic Site to the Carter Library and some of the trails lining Freedom Parkway. Another option is a 3.6 mile loop, starting at the Carter Library, and running the trails of Freedom Park to Chandler Park. A very pleasant, green run.
Another nice add-on is Olmsted Linear Park, a series of small parks just north in Druid Hills. A paved path follows Rt. 78 for nearly 2 miles through several parks: Springdale, Dellwood, Shady Side, and Deepdene. Can also be made into part of a loop incorporating the Freedom Park Trail.
Add-Ons: Near the Carter Center, you can connect to the Beltline Trail, which heads for 1.3 miles north to Piedmont Park. Add there with Piedmont Park, or continue on the Beltline for another 1.2 miles to I-85. From the Carter Center, the Beltline Trail also heads south for 0.7 miles to DeKalb.
Freedom Park is one of Atlanta’s large city parks. The heart of Freedom Park is the Carter Center, which is well worth a visit. The area is very green and shaded. There are pleasant running/biking trails heading east from Parkway Dr. to Chandler Park, south toward Inman. I have two suggested routes for this area: the entire 2.5 mile (one-way) Freedom Parkway Trail, from the Martin Luther King National Historic Site to the Carter Library and some of the trails lining Freedom Parkway. Another option is a 3.6 mile loop, starting at the Carter Library, and running the trails of Freedom Park to Chandler Park. A very pleasant, green run.
Another nice add-on is Olmsted Linear Park, a series of small parks just north in Druid Hills. A paved path follows Rt. 78 for nearly 2 miles through several parks: Springdale, Dellwood, Shady Side, and Deepdene. Can also be made into part of a loop incorporating the Freedom Park Trail.
Add-Ons: Near the Carter Center, you can connect to the Beltline Trail, which heads for 1.3 miles north to Piedmont Park. Add there with Piedmont Park, or continue on the Beltline for another 1.2 miles to I-85. From the Carter Center, the Beltline Trail also heads south for 0.7 miles to DeKalb.
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Essentials
2.5 miles one way from MLK Site to Carter Center to Freedom Park; 3.6 mile loop starting at Carter Library to Freedom Park & Chandler Park
Piedmont Park is the Crown Jewel of the central Atlanta running scene. The 189 acre park was designed by Olmsted’s sons and features 4–5 miles of fairly hilly paved and gravel running trails, ranging from open meadows to wooded sections.
A 3.4 mile section of The Atlanta BeltLine trail in central Atlanta. Accessible from Piedmont Park/Midtown area. Best section is 2 miles from Piedmont Park south to Irwin St. Festive, with lots of sights & places to grab a bite.
A 6.7 mile tour of Atlanta’s downtown landmarks, starting from one of the downtown hotels. Centennial Olympic Park, The World of Coca-Cola, CNN Center, The Georgia Dome, Aquarium, shops & restaurants. Can add the leafy Georgia Tech campus.
A 10k run with lots of sights and variety! Historic Grant Park and neighborhood, paths through beautifully landscaped Oakland Cemetery, a loop around the state Capitol, and the track that's home to the Atlanta Track Club.
Our recommendations for the best places to run in Buckhead -- Atlanta's most prestigious neighborhood, featuring gracious older homes, winding residential streets, and lovely parks. Includes the new Path 400 Greenway.
Run on this paved greenway through the heart of Buckhead, connecting neighborhoods, office and retail locations. 3.8 miles of the planned 5.2 miles is complete, from Lindbergh Dr. to Wieuca Rd., with an 0.5 mile road connection.
Atlanta's eastside features some wonderful residential neighborhoods for running, featuring tree-lined streets, good sidewalks, and older, historic homes. Explore the Historic Fourth Ward, Druid Hills, and Virgina-Highland.
East of downtown, there's wonderful running at Emory University, especially around the Lullwater Park preserve. From Emory, one can also run on the South Peachtree Creek Trail, 1.5 north to Mason Mill Park or 1.6 miles east to Medlock Park.
In the west end of Atlanta, the best bet for running is the Historic West End neighborhood, and the Westside Beltline Trail, which binds the neighborhood and stretches for 3.5 miles between University Ave. and Washington Park.
Good running in Atlanta's newest park and largest greenspace. 5 miles of paved trails, combination of woods & grassy meadows. Can combine with Proctor Creek Greenway, a 2.5-mile paved multi-use trail.
Decatur is a city northeast of Atlanta that has some good running spots. North of College Ave. is downtown and Woodland Gardens. South of College Ave., run around the campus of Agnes Scott College and surrounding residential streets.
These are some of the best options north of the city just off I-285 (“Perimeter”, Cumberland, Sandy Springs, and Dunwoody): Chastain Park, Cochran Shoals, Pallisades, and Alpharetta Greenway.
One of Atlanta’s major recreational destinations, 15 mi. from downtown. Numerous running options, from a gentler 5-mile loop around the park perimeter to some more advanced trail running. Also great hiking and trail running options.
One of Atlanta’s top areas for running and biking. Paved rail trail runs 61 miles from Atlanta’s northern suburb of Smyrna, west to the Alabama border. Our route includes a map of the first 20 miles.
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Essentials
2.5 miles one way from MLK Site to Carter Center to Freedom Park; 3.6 mile loop starting at Carter Library to Freedom Park & Chandler Park
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