How Long Is the Atlanta BeltLine? A Local’s Guide to Distance, Sections, and What to Expect

If you live in Atlanta or you’re planning a visit, you’ve probably heard a lot about the Atlanta BeltLine. One of the most common questions people ask is simple: How long is the Atlanta BeltLine, really?

Here’s a clear breakdown of the total distance, how much is open today, and what that means for walking, running, or biking around Atlanta.

The Short Answer: How Long Is the Atlanta BeltLine?

The full planned Atlanta BeltLine loop is:

• About 22 miles of continuous main trail when fully complete
• Plus additional spur trails and connector paths that extend beyond the core loop

Right now, not all of that is finished. Large portions are open, especially on the Eastside, Westside, Southside, and Northeast.

So you can think of the BeltLine in two ways:

• Planned total length: about 22 miles (main loop)
• Current open paved trails: many miles are already available to use, spread across multiple segments

Main BeltLine Segments and Their Approximate Lengths

Below is a simplified overview of the major multi-use trail segments most people mean when they talk about “the BeltLine” in Atlanta.

If you walk or bike multiple segments back-to-back, you can easily cover 5–10 miles or more without leaving BeltLine trails.

What “22 Miles” Actually Means for You

When locals ask, “How long is the Atlanta BeltLine?”, they often want to know:

• Can I walk the whole thing in a day?
• Is it a good training route for running or biking?
• How far is it between key spots like Ponce City Market and Krog Street Market?

Here’s how that 22-mile number plays out in everyday terms:

Walking the Whole BeltLine (Once It’s Complete)

If you walked the entire 22-mile loop:

• A relaxed walking pace is about 3 miles per hour
• You’d be looking at roughly 7–8 hours of walking time, not counting breaks

Most people in Atlanta break it up into shorter outings:
for example, a 2–4 mile walk on the Eastside Trail or a 5–8 mile bike ride combining Eastside and Southside sections.

Running or Biking the BeltLine

For runners and cyclists:

• Distance options are very flexible. You can turn around at any point or connect multiple segments.
• The paved sections are great for distance training because they are mostly flat or gently graded.
• Many people use the Eastside Trail for daily runs of 2–6 miles, often looping between Piedmont Park, Ponce City Market, and Inman Park/Reynoldstown.

How Much of the BeltLine Is Open Right Now?

The BeltLine is being built in phases, but large portions are already open to the public as multi-use paved trails.

As a local or visitor, here’s what you can expect:

Eastside Trail

• Length: Around 3 miles
• Vibe: The busiest and most urban section, lined with apartments, restaurants, murals, and public art
• Key connections:
  • Piedmont Park / Midtown
  • Ponce City Market
  • Inman Park
  • Old Fourth Ward
  • Krog Street Market (a short detour)

This is the stretch many visitors experience first and sometimes assume this is the whole BeltLine.

Westside Trail

• Length: About 3 miles, with growing connections
• Vibe: More neighborhood-focused, with less tourist traffic than the Eastside
• Key connections:
  • West End MARTA station area
  • Adair Park
  • Lee + White food and brewery district

Great option if you want more space and a slightly calmer feel while still staying close to the city.

Southside and Northeast Segments

These sections bridge the gap between major parts of the loop:

• Southside Trail:

  • Connects the end of the Eastside down toward the Westside
  • Portions are paved and open; some sections may still feel more like an in-progress corridor depending on the year and phase

• Northeast / Northside Segments:

  • Provide connections toward Ansley Park, Buckhead, and Lindbergh
  • These are still developing but create additional mileage options for longer runs and rides

Because construction and openings change over time, locals often check recent maps or signage at trailheads to see which parts are fully paved and which are still under construction.

How Far Is It Between Popular BeltLine Spots?

If you’re planning your day, knowing rough distances between landmarks can help:

• Piedmont Park to Ponce City Market (via Eastside Trail)
  • Roughly 0.5–1 mile, depending on where you start in the park
• Ponce City Market to Krog Street Market (via Eastside Trail + short detour)
  • Roughly 1.5–2 miles one way
• Ponce City Market to Inman Park/Reynoldstown MARTA Station
  • About 2 miles or less using the Eastside Trail and neighborhood streets
• West End MARTA Station to Adair Park via Westside Trail
  • Around 1–1.5 miles depending on your route

These distances make the BeltLine especially useful for car-free trips between neighborhoods in central Atlanta.

Figuring Out the Right Distance for Your Visit or Workout

Since the BeltLine is a connected system of segments, you can tailor your distance easily.

For Casual Walkers

If you just want a nice stroll:

• Start at Ponce City Market and walk south along the Eastside Trail for 1–2 miles, then turn around
• Or start in West End and walk the Westside Trail for a couple of miles in either direction

⏱️ Tip: Plan for about 20 minutes per mile of walking if you’re moving at a relaxed pace.

For Runners

If you’re training:

• A simple out-and-back along the Eastside Trail can give you 3–6+ miles without repeating too much scenery
• Combine Eastside + Southside, or Westside + connecting neighborhood streets, to build up to 8–10+ miles

For Cyclists

For bikes and e-bikes:

• Many people ride 10–20+ miles by connecting several BeltLine segments plus side streets
• The relatively gentle grades and separated trail environment make it appealing for all skill levels

Always watch for pedestrians, strollers, and scooters, especially on crowded stretches like the Eastside.

Where to Start If You’re New to the Atlanta BeltLine

If you’re just getting to know the BeltLine, a few high-traffic access points give you easy entry to substantial mileage:

• Ponce City Market Area (Eastside Trail access)
  This is one of the most common trailheads for visitors. From here, you can go north toward Piedmont Park or south toward Krog Street and Reynoldstown.

• Historic Fourth Ward Park / North Avenue area
  Good for combining a park visit with a moderate walk or run.

• West End MARTA Station (Westside Trail access)
  A convenient option if you don’t want to drive. From the station, you can quickly reach the Westside Trail and explore several miles in either direction.

At many access points, you’ll see maps and distance markers along the trail, helping you visualize how far you’ve gone.

Practical Tips for Using the BeltLine’s Full Length

Even though the BeltLine is about 22 miles in total, your experience will vary by section:

• Expect crowds on the Eastside Trail, especially on weekends and evenings.
• Expect a quieter feel on parts of the Westside and Southside, with more neighborhood character and fewer visitors.
• Some sections of the planned 22-mile loop may still be under construction in certain years. Signs and barriers will clearly show closed areas.
• Surfaces, lighting, and nearby facilities (like restrooms or water fountains) can vary by segment, so plan based on where you’re going, not just total distance.

If you’re planning a long run or ride that uses multiple BeltLine segments, many locals combine:

• BeltLine trails
• Nearby parks (like Piedmont Park or Adair Park)
• Quiet neighborhood streets to create personalized loops

Key Takeaways: How Long Is the Atlanta BeltLine?

• The Atlanta BeltLine’s planned main loop is about 22 miles long.
• Many paved multi-use trail sections are already open, especially the Eastside and Westside Trails, each giving you a few miles of continuous path.
• You can easily build routes from 1–2 miles (casual walk) up to 10+ miles (run or ride) by combining multiple segments.
• As the project continues to develop, more of the 22-mile loop is becoming fully connected, making it easier to travel around Atlanta without a car.

If you’re in Atlanta—whether you live here or you’re just visiting—the BeltLine offers a flexible network of trails where you can walk, run, or bike for just a mile or for many miles, all within the city.