What Is the Atlanta BeltLine? A Local Guide to Atlanta’s Signature Trail

The Atlanta BeltLine is a major urban redevelopment project that’s transforming how people move, live, and spend time in Atlanta. If you live in the city, visit often, or are just trying to understand what everyone means when they say “let’s meet on the BeltLine,” this guide breaks it down in clear, local terms.

The Atlanta BeltLine in Plain Language

At its core, the Atlanta BeltLine is:

• A loop of multi-use trails, parks, and transit planned to circle central Atlanta
• Built mostly along former railroad corridors that used to ring the city
• A mix of walking and biking paths, public art, green space, and new development

When people say “the BeltLine,” they usually mean the paved trail sections—especially the popular Eastside Trail where you see walkers, runners, cyclists, strollers, and scooters all sharing the same path.

The full project is still being built, but large stretches are already open and heavily used every day.

How the BeltLine Is Laid Out Around Atlanta

The BeltLine is designed as a rough 22-mile loop around the core of the city, broken into segments:

• Eastside – From around Midtown and Poncey-Highland down toward Reynoldstown
• Westside – Connecting areas like Bankhead, English Avenue, and West End
• Southside – Linking West End/Adair Park toward Grant Park and Ormewood
• Northside – Tying together parts of Buckhead, Peachtree Hills, and Lindbergh

Not all of these areas are fully paved yet, but the basic idea is a continuous loop that connects many of Atlanta’s intown neighborhoods without needing a car.

What You Can Do on the Atlanta BeltLine

The BeltLine is built for everyday use, not just special occasions. Common ways locals and visitors use it include:

• 🚶‍♀️ Walking and jogging – A flat, wide path compared to most neighborhood sidewalks
• 🚴 Biking – Bike-friendly lanes on most open segments
• 🛴 Scooters and skates – Many people use e-scooters and skateboards (with some rules)
• 🌳 Relaxing in parks – The BeltLine links to green spaces like Historic Fourth Ward Park
• 🎨 Exploring art and murals – Public art is a major feature along the trail
• 🍽️ Dining and shopping stops – Many restaurants, bars, and shops have direct trail access
• 🚌 Connecting to MARTA – Several MARTA stations are a short walk from the BeltLine

For many Atlantans, the BeltLine has become an alternative to driving for short trips between neighborhoods.

Key BeltLine Segments Locals Talk About

Eastside Trail

The Eastside Trail is the best-known and busiest stretch. It generally runs:

• From near Piedmont Park / 10th Street
• South through Virginia-Highland, Poncey-Highland, Inman Park, Old Fourth Ward
• Down to Reynoldstown

Along the Eastside Trail you’ll find:

• Direct access to Ponce City Market
• Restaurants, bars, and coffee shops that open right onto the trail
• Murals, sculptures, and frequent pop-up events

If you’re new to the BeltLine, this is usually the easiest place to start.

Westside Trail

The Westside Trail runs through neighborhoods like:

• Adair Park
• West End
• Oakland City

Features include:

• Access to WA Parish Park and other community green spaces
• Proximity to the West End MARTA Station
• A mix of residential areas and emerging commercial spots

The Westside Trail tends to feel less crowded than the Eastside Trail, with more of a neighborhood vibe.

Other Trails and Connectors

Additional sections in various stages of completion or planning include:

• Northside Trail – Connecting around the Peachtree Creek and Buckhead area
• Southside segments – Aiming to close the loop between West End and the Eastside

Some parts are paved and open, others are still under construction or planned as future links.

Who Runs the Atlanta BeltLine?

The project is managed by Atlanta BeltLine, Inc. (ABI) in partnership with the City of Atlanta and other public agencies.

A commonly referenced contact/office is:

Atlanta BeltLine, Inc.
100 Peachtree Street NW, Suite 2300
Atlanta, GA 30303
Phone: 404-477-3003

ABI works with:

• City of Atlanta Department of Transportation (ATLDOT)
• Atlanta Department of Parks and Recreation
• MARTA and regional planning agencies

These groups coordinate on construction, maintenance, safety, and future transit.

Why the BeltLine Matters in Atlanta

The BeltLine is more than just a walking path. For Atlanta, it has become:

• A transportation corridor – An option to move between neighborhoods without driving
• A public park system – Greenways, trees, and access to existing and new parks
• A development catalyst – New housing, retail, and offices have sprung up along the trail
• A community space – Events, fitness classes, and informal gatherings happen regularly
• An economic driver – It has encouraged investment and renovation in many intown areas

At the same time, many residents also watch the project closely because it can affect housing prices, rent, and neighborhood change. For people choosing where to live in Atlanta, the BeltLine’s path and future plans are an important consideration.

How the BeltLine Is Used Day to Day

For Commuting

Some Atlantans use the BeltLine to:

• Bike or walk from Inman Park to Midtown
• Travel between West End and Downtown with fewer busy streets
• Connect from a neighborhood to the nearest MARTA station

This can help avoid traffic on major roads like Ponce de Leon Avenue, North Avenue, or Lee Street for shorter trips.

For Recreation and Socializing

For many, the BeltLine is simply where you go to be around people:

• Morning runs or dog walks
• Weekend strolls that include food and drink stops
• Meeting friends at spots with direct trail access

On nice-weather weekends, expect heavy use, especially on the Eastside Trail.

Safety, Rules, and Trail Etiquette

To keep the BeltLine usable for everyone, there are some common guidelines:

• Stay to the right, pass on the left
• Give an audible signal (bell or “on your left”) when passing
• Keep dogs leashed and close by
• No motor vehicles on the trail (except authorized or emergency vehicles)
• Be aware of e-scooter speed and control, especially in crowded areas
• Avoid blocking the path when stopping with a group

Atlanta BeltLine, Inc. and the City of Atlanta also work with Atlanta Police Department and other partners to support safety through patrols, lighting, and emergency call boxes in some areas.

Parks, Green Space, and Public Art Along the BeltLine

One of the biggest benefits of the BeltLine in Atlanta is the network of parks and art it connects.

Parks Connected to the BeltLine

Some notable green spaces along or near open segments include:

• Historic Fourth Ward Park – Near the Eastside Trail and Ponce City Market
• Perkerson Park and other community parks in Southwest Atlanta
• Smaller pocket parks directly off the trail in multiple neighborhoods

These parks offer:

• Playgrounds and open fields
• Walking paths and seating
• Occasional festivals or community events

Public Art and Installations

The BeltLine is known for its rotating public art, including:

• Murals painted on buildings, underpasses, and retaining walls
• Sculptures placed along the trail
• Performance spaces and event installations

Art along the BeltLine is intended to be accessible to everyone, turning the trail into an outdoor gallery.

Events and Programs on the BeltLine

Throughout the year, the BeltLine corridor often hosts:

• Fitness classes (yoga, group runs, outdoor workouts)
• Cultural events and performances
• Community meetings about new trail segments and planning
• Seasonal festivals in parks along the corridor

Event schedules change frequently, so locals often check city or Atlanta BeltLine program listings to see what’s happening on a given weekend.

How the BeltLine Connects to Transit and Major Areas

The BeltLine is designed to link with existing transit, especially MARTA, and provide easier, car-free connections to popular parts of the city.

Major Areas the BeltLine Touches or Connects Near

• Midtown Atlanta – Near Piedmont Park and 10th Street
• Old Fourth Ward – Historic neighborhood east of Downtown
• Inman Park / Reynoldstown – Intown neighborhoods with direct trail access
• West End / Adair Park – Southwest neighborhoods with MARTA nearby
• Poncey-Highland / Virginia-Highland – Walkable areas accessed via the Eastside Trail

Transit Connections

The BeltLine is not yet a full transit system, but it connects to several MARTA rail stations, including:

• Inman Park/Reynoldstown Station (near Eastside area)
• King Memorial Station (a walk from some segments)
• West End Station (close to the Westside Trail)
• Bankhead or Ashby Stations (near future or nearby trail areas)

Long-term plans include dedicated transit along the BeltLine corridor, but as of now, the primary use is walking, biking, and micro-mobility.

Simple Overview: What the Atlanta BeltLine Offers

If You Want to Explore the BeltLine

For someone in or visiting Atlanta, practical next steps include:

• Choose a starting area based on what you want:
  • For restaurants and crowds: head to the Eastside Trail near Ponce City Market
  • For a quieter neighborhood feel: try sections of the Westside Trail
• Plan your route around nearby landmarks, parks, or MARTA stations
• If you’re biking or scootering, prepare for mixed traffic and slower speeds on busy days
• If you live nearby, think of the BeltLine as an extension of your neighborhood streets and parks

In everyday Atlanta conversation, “the BeltLine” simply means the trail and greenway system looping around the city, where people go to move, meet, and experience a different, more connected side of Atlanta.