Here’s a run with a mix of green, sights, and history that makes for a great 10k. There are four sections to the run: lovely Grant Park, athe historic Oakland Cemetery, the State Capitol building, and loop around the track in a park that’s home to the Atlanta Track club.
We start at Grant Park, but some might prefer to start downtown. Grant Park is a lovely, shaded green space in the heart of one of Atlanta’s historic neighborhoods. It’s ~1 mile north-south and 0.5 miles east-west on the park’s trails. Exit the north end, and you”ll have to cross I-20 using either Bouevard SE or Cherokee. Next, do a loop of the trails of the historic Oakland Cemetery, which has lovely grounds and paths lined by old oak trees — it’s also the site of the Run Like Hell 5K — the largest cemetery run in the country! Exit the west end of the cemetery, heading west on MLK Dr. toward the Capitol. This section not very scenic, crossing a tangle of highways at the I-20/I-80 interchange. Do a loop around the grounds of the Capitol — always inspirational — and then come back, using Connally St. south to Phoenix II Park, where you can do a loop around the track used by the home of the Atlanta Track Club. Shorter Option: Eliminate Capitol section, and enjoy more streets around the Grant Park and Sumerhill neighborhoods.
Add-Ons: The historic Grant Park neighborhood, near Grant Park, has beautiful, shaded side streets lined with Victorian mansions and Craftsman bungalows. Just west of Grant Park, the Sumerhill neighborhood is also nice for running. The Cabbagetown neighborhood just north of I-20 also has some nice streets for running but it’s more hit or miss.
Here’s a run with a mix of green, sights, and history that makes for a great 10k. There are four sections to the run: lovely Grant Park, athe historic Oakland Cemetery, the State Capitol building, and loop around the track in a park that’s home to the Atlanta Track club.
We start at Grant Park, but some might prefer to start downtown. Grant Park is a lovely, shaded green space in the heart of one of Atlanta’s historic neighborhoods. It’s ~1 mile north-south and 0.5 miles east-west on the park’s trails. Exit the north end, and you”ll have to cross I-20 using either Bouevard SE or Cherokee. Next, do a loop of the trails of the historic Oakland Cemetery, which has lovely grounds and paths lined by old oak trees — it’s also the site of the Run Like Hell 5K — the largest cemetery run in the country! Exit the west end of the cemetery, heading west on MLK Dr. toward the Capitol. This section not very scenic, crossing a tangle of highways at the I-20/I-80 interchange. Do a loop around the grounds of the Capitol — always inspirational — and then come back, using Connally St. south to Phoenix II Park, where you can do a loop around the track used by the home of the Atlanta Track Club. Shorter Option: Eliminate Capitol section, and enjoy more streets around the Grant Park and Sumerhill neighborhoods.
Add-Ons: The historic Grant Park neighborhood, near Grant Park, has beautiful, shaded side streets lined with Victorian mansions and Craftsman bungalows. Just west of Grant Park, the Sumerhill neighborhood is also nice for running. The Cabbagetown neighborhood just north of I-20 also has some nice streets for running but it’s more hit or miss.
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Essentials
6 mile (9.6 km) loop
222 feet (67 meters
Grant Park area. Can also start downtown, near the Capitol
Grant Park: Bus along Cherokee, or MARTA stop near Oakland Cemetery; Capitol: Georgia State MARTA station
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.
Freedom Park is one of Atlanta’s large city parks. Our two green, shaded routes are the 2.5 mile Freedom Parkway Trail, and a 3.6 mile loop, starting at the Carter Library, to Chandler Park. Olmsted Linear Park can be added or loop option.
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
6 mile (9.6 km) loop
222 feet (67 meters
Grant Park area. Can also start downtown, near the Capitol
Grant Park: Bus along Cherokee, or MARTA stop near Oakland Cemetery; Capitol: Georgia State MARTA station
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Share your feedback on this route and see that of other Great Runs users. Click on the image icon to upload a photo. And please let us know if there are notes or changes we should incorporate!