How Long Is the Atlanta BeltLine? A Local’s Guide to Its Length, Loops, and Segments
If you live in Atlanta or you’re planning a visit, you’ve probably heard a lot about the Atlanta BeltLine—for walking, biking, commuting, or just exploring in-town neighborhoods. One of the most common questions people ask is simple:
How long is the Atlanta BeltLine, exactly?
The Short Answer: Total Length of the Atlanta BeltLine
The full Atlanta BeltLine corridor is planned to be about 22 miles long.
More specifically:
- About 22 miles of main trail loop (using old railroad corridors)
- Plus additional connector trails, spurs, and park paths that add extra distance, depending on how you combine them
When people talk about “how long the BeltLine is,” they usually mean that 22‑mile loop that eventually forms a circle around central Atlanta, connecting neighborhoods from West End to Midtown, Old Fourth Ward, Inman Park, Reynoldstown, Westside, and more.
However, not all of those 22 miles are finished as paved, multi-use trails yet. Some portions are fully built and busy every day; others are still planned or under construction.
How Much of the BeltLine Is Finished Right Now?
As of recent progress, roughly half of the full 22‑mile loop is open as paved trail, with more segments in active development.
You can think of the BeltLine in four main quadrants:
- Eastside
- Westside
- Southside
- Northside / Northwest
Some of these segments are long, continuous paths; others are still broken up by gaps or construction.
At-a-Glance: Main Atlanta BeltLine Segments
Here’s a simple overview of the major paved sections most Atlantans use today:
| BeltLine Segment | Approximate Paved Length | General Area / Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Eastside Trail | ~3 miles | From Piedmont Park (Midtown) through Old Fourth Ward, Inman Park, to Reynoldstown |
| Westside Trail | ~3 miles | From West End through Adair Park and Westview up toward Mozley Park area |
| Southside Trail (partially paved) | Varies by phase | Connecting Westside to Eastside through neighborhoods south of downtown |
| Northside / Northeast trails & connectors | Several short segments | Links near Piedmont Park, Ansley area, and future connections toward the northwest |
Distances above are rounded and can feel longer or shorter depending on where you start and how you connect trails.
How Long Is the Eastside BeltLine Trail?
For many people, the Eastside Trail is the most familiar and heavily used portion of the BeltLine.
- Length: About 3 miles one way
- Typical route: From near Piedmont Park / 10th Street & Monroe Drive down to the Reynoldstown area (south of Dekalb Avenue)
If you:
- Walk from end to end and back, you’re doing roughly 6 miles.
- Bike casually from end to end, it often feels like a 20–30 minute ride, depending on crowd levels and how often you stop.
Along this route, you pass or connect to:
- Piedmont Park
- Ponce City Market
- Historic Fourth Ward Park
- Old Fourth Ward, Inman Park, and Reynoldstown restaurants, coffee shops, and apartments
For many in-town residents, this is their “default” BeltLine, but it’s only a piece of the full 22-mile loop.
How Long Is the Westside BeltLine Trail?
The Westside Trail currently gives you a long, mostly continuous stretch on the city’s southwest side.
- Length: Around 3 miles, depending on exactly where you enter and exit
- Typical route: From West End around Lee Street / White Street area up toward the Mozley Park / University Avenue area, with multiple trailheads along the way
Walking the entire Westside Trail and back can get you in the 5–6 mile range, similar to an Eastside down-and-back trip.
Common access points include the West End neighborhood, near the West End MARTA Station, and entrances along White Street.
What About the Southside and Northside BeltLine?
Southside Trail
The Southside Trail is designed to link the Eastside and Westside segments across the south side of the city, passing through neighborhoods like:
- Grant Park / Boulevard area
- Ormewood Park
- Chosewood Park
- Areas south of downtown
Not all parts are fully paved yet. You may see:
- Completed paved segments (multi-use, similar to Eastside/Westside)
- Interim gravel or unpaved corridors where construction is still ongoing or planned
The long-term plan is for the Southside Trail to provide a continuous connection, making it possible to walk or bike a huge loop around central Atlanta.
Northside / Northwest Segments
To complete the loop, the BeltLine also includes future and partial segments in the north and northwest sections of the city.
These will eventually:
- Connect the Eastside / Piedmont Park area up and around toward the Westside / Bankhead / northwest neighborhoods
- Close the top section of the 22-mile circle
Right now, these are a mix of:
- Short built segments
- Park paths and connectors
- Planned corridors still being designed or constructed
If you’re planning a long ride or walk that relies on the entire loop being continuous, it’s important to know that some northern and southern parts are not fully completed yet.
How Far Can You Go Today on the BeltLine?
If your main question is “How many miles can I actually cover on the BeltLine right now?”, the answer depends on how you string segments together and whether you use nearby streets or park paths to connect gaps.
Here are a few realistic ranges for most people in Atlanta:
- Casual Eastside or Westside outing:
- 2–4 miles total (out-and-back short walk or ride)
- End-to-end Eastside or Westside and back:
- Roughly 5–6 miles
- Combining multiple segments with some on-street connections:
- 8–12+ miles for a longer bike ride or serious walk
- Full 22-mile BeltLine loop (future vision):
- About 22 miles once all main trail segments are completed and directly connected
Right now, you can’t do an uninterrupted 22‑mile paved loop strictly on BeltLine trail, but many Atlantans create large loops by using:
- BeltLine segments
- Neighboring streets with bike lanes
- Park connectors and side paths
Estimating Your Distance on the Atlanta BeltLine
Because the BeltLine isn’t a simple straight line, knowing its total length doesn’t always tell you how far you will walk or bike.
Here are some practical tips for planning distance:
Pick a segment and do a simple out-and-back.
For example, from Ponce City Market south to Krog Street Market and back is roughly 2–3 miles, depending on where you start.Use landmarks instead of mile markers.
On busier sections like the Eastside Trail, focusing on destinations—like Piedmont Park, Ponce City Market, and Inman Park—can be more practical than memorizing exact mileage.Check trailheads and access points.
Many BeltLine entry points have maps that show where you are in relation to other segments, giving a rough sense of distance.Use a fitness watch or phone app if you want precise mileage.
Because the BeltLine curves and weaves through different neighborhoods, on-the-ground tracking is often more accurate than trying to calculate on a flat map.
How Long Does It Take to Walk or Bike the BeltLine?
Even with the same mileage, time can vary a lot depending on crowds, stops, and your pace.
Here are very general ranges that many Atlanta residents experience:
- Walking a 3-mile segment (like most of the Eastside Trail):
- 45–70 minutes at a comfortable pace
- Biking 3 miles:
- Around 15–25 minutes, often slower on crowded weekends or if you stop frequently
For a future full 22-mile loop:
- Walking the entire loop in one day would be a full-day effort for most people.
- Biking the loop, once it’s a connected paved corridor, would be a moderate ride you could reasonably complete in a couple of hours, depending on stops and pace.
Where to Get the Most Current Info on BeltLine Length & Open Segments
Because the BeltLine is a long-term project, the exact number of miles that are paved, open, or under construction can change as new segments open.
For up-to-date details, Atlantans commonly check:
Atlanta BeltLine, Inc.
- Administrative office:
100 Peachtree Street NW, Suite 2300
Atlanta, GA 30303 - Main phone (commonly listed for general inquiries):
404‑477‑3003
- Administrative office:
City of Atlanta Department of Parks and Recreation
- City Hall:
55 Trinity Avenue SW
Atlanta, GA 30303 - Main city information line: 311 (inside city limits) or 404‑546‑0311
- City Hall:
Maps at main trailheads—especially along the Eastside and Westside Trails—also give a clear visual of which parts of the BeltLine are completed and how they connect to nearby streets and parks.
Key Takeaways for Atlanta Residents and Visitors
- The Atlanta BeltLine is about 22 miles long in total planned corridor length.
- Around half of that is currently open as paved, multi-use trail, with major segments on the Eastside and Westside.
- The Eastside Trail is about 3 miles one way; the Westside Trail is also around 3 miles.
- The full 22‑mile loop will only be possible once remaining Northside and Southside connections are fully completed and paved.
- For now, you can comfortably plan 2–6 mile walks and longer rides by combining multiple open segments and nearby streets.
So when someone in Atlanta asks, “How long is the Atlanta BeltLine?”, the clearest answer is:
➡️ About 22 miles in total planned loop length, with several miles already open as paved trail on the Eastside, Westside, Southside, and Northside segments.