How Long Is the Atlanta BeltLine? A Mile‑by‑Mile Guide for Locals and Visitors

If you live in Atlanta or you’re planning a visit, the Atlanta BeltLine is probably on your radar—whether for walking, biking, commuting, or just exploring neighborhoods. One of the most common questions people ask is:

“How many miles is the Atlanta BeltLine?”

Here’s a clear breakdown of the total miles, what’s open now, what’s planned, and how those miles actually feel on the ground when you’re out on the trail.

The Short Answer: How Many Miles Is the Atlanta BeltLine?

The full Atlanta BeltLine loop is planned to be about 22 miles of main multi-use trail forming a circle around the city.

Within that:

• Roughly half of the 22-mile loop is fully open and paved as of the mid‑2020s.
• Several more miles are under construction or in design.
• There are also additional connector trails and spurs that add extra mileage beyond the 22-mile core loop.

So when people ask, “How many miles is the Atlanta BeltLine?” they might mean:

• Planned full loop: about 22 miles
• Open, paved main trail today: roughly 11–13 miles, depending on how you count segments
• Total walking or biking distance you can cover including side paths, connectors, and nearby street routes: easily 15+ miles in a single outing

BeltLine Mileage by Segment

The BeltLine is divided into four major quadrants that roughly match the compass directions around the city: Eastside, Westside, Southside, and Northside.

Below is a simplified overview of the main trail mileage so you can visualize what’s where.

Main Atlanta BeltLine Segments (Approximate Distances)

These numbers are rounded and focus on the main loop. Additional neighborhood spurs, park paths, and connecting sidewalks can add extra distance if you continue walking or riding.

What’s Open Now vs. Planned

If you want to use the BeltLine today, the most helpful way to think about mileage is to separate open, paved trail from planned or under-construction sections.

Open and Commonly Used Segments

As of the mid‑2020s, Atlantans and visitors generally have access to:

1. Eastside Trail (~3 miles)

• Runs from near Piedmont Park south through Virginia-Highland, Poncey-Highland, Old Fourth Ward, Inman Park, and into Reynoldstown.
• This is the busiest and most familiar section, lined with restaurants, apartments, parks, and public art.

2. Westside Trail (~3 miles)

• Stretches through Adair Park, Oakland City, Capitol View, West End, and toward Washington Park.
• Quieter than the Eastside in some stretches, with a growing mix of housing, breweries, and community spaces.

3. Northside Area Trails (~1–2+ miles)

• Includes the Northside Trail in Tanyard Creek Park, near Atlanta Memorial Park and Ardmore Park.
• This part doesn’t yet connect seamlessly into a full northern loop but offers scenic, shaded mileage.

4. Portions of the Southside Trail (variable mileage)

• Certain Southside segments have been paved and opened, especially near the former Capitol View and Pittsburgh areas, connecting toward the Westside Trail.
• Other parts are still in progress but may be walkable as interim nature trails or signed corridors, depending on current construction status.

Combined, these open segments give you around 10–13 miles of continuous, paved multi-use path, depending on your exact route and any on-street gaps you bridge.

How Long Does It Take to Walk or Bike the BeltLine?

Once you know the mileage, the next question is usually “How long will that take?” Your pace and route matter, but here are rough guidelines.

If You’re Walking

On average:

• Casual walking pace: about 2–3 miles per hour
• Brisk walking pace: about 3–4 miles per hour

Approximate walking times:

• Eastside Trail (~3 miles):
  • Casual: 1–1.5 hours
  • Brisk: 45–60 minutes
• Westside Trail (~3 miles):
  • Similar: about 1–1.5 hours for a relaxed walk
• Several segments combined (~6–8 miles):
  • Plan for 2–3 hours with stops for food, parks, or photos

If You’re Biking

For casual riders:

• Easy biking pace: about 8–12 miles per hour

Approximate biking times:

• Eastside Trail (~3 miles):
  • About 15–25 minutes, depending on crowds
• A longer BeltLine outing (~10–12 miles total):
  • About 1–1.5 hours with breaks and slower riding around busy spots

🚲 Tip: On busy weekends, especially along the Eastside Trail, expect your biking pace to slow down significantly due to pedestrians and frequent stops.

How the BeltLine Miles Feel on the Ground

The Atlanta BeltLine’s miles don’t all feel the same. Even with similar distances, each section has a different character, level of activity, and terrain.

Eastside Trail: 3 Miles Packed with Activity

• Feels shorter because it’s dense with restaurants, murals, skyline views, and parks like Historic Fourth Ward Park.
• Can be crowded, so you may move more slowly than the mileage suggests.
• Many locals treat this as a 2–4 mile loop starting and ending near Piedmont Park or Ponce City Market.

Westside Trail: Similar Mileage, Different Vibe

• Roughly 3 miles, but feels more like a steady, scenic corridor through historic neighborhoods.
• Fewer large commercial hubs right on the path (for now), more residential streets, green spaces, and community gardens.
• Good for longer, uninterrupted walks or runs.

Southside & Northside Areas: Connecting the Loop

• These segments help gradually tie the circle together.
• Some pieces feel like quiet neighborhood walks, others like park paths, and some still involve on-street links until full paving is complete.

Planning Your Own BeltLine Mileage

Because the BeltLine is still growing, most Atlantans don’t try to do a “perfect loop.” Instead, they plan custom routes using the miles that are already paved and convenient.

Here are common ways people shape their outings:

Popular Short Routes (1–3 Miles)

• Piedmont Park to Ponce area and back on the Eastside Trail
• A there-and-back walk on the Northside Trail in Tanyard Creek Park
• A one-way Eastside stroll from Inman Park / Krog Street area to Reynoldstown

Medium Routes (3–6 Miles)

• Full Eastside Trail out and back
• Full Westside Trail out and back
• Combining a BeltLine segment with neighborhood sidewalks for a loop (for example, West End + Westside Trail + Adair Park)

Longer Routes (6–10+ Miles)

• Eastside + Westside combo, using MARTA or rideshare to jump between ends if needed
• Starting on one quadrant, walking or biking into downtown or Midtown and back using city streets plus BeltLine segments
• Including BeltLine miles as part of a long training run or ride

👟 Practical tip: For longer distances, many locals park near a trailhead, walk or ride several miles out, then turn back the same way. This keeps navigation simple and makes it easy to manage your total mileage.

Using Transit and Access Points to Plan Distance

How far you go on the BeltLine often depends on how you get there and how you get home.

MARTA Connections

Several MARTA rail stations are a short walk or bike from BeltLine segments, which helps you plan one-way trips without having to double back:

• Inman Park/Reynoldstown Station – near the south end of the Eastside Trail
• King Memorial Station – accessible to the Eastside/Southside area with a short on-street connection
• West End Station – close to the Westside Trail
• Ashby Station – in the broader Westside area, a short ride from some trailheads

Using MARTA lets you cover more BeltLine miles without needing to loop back to your starting point.

Where to Get Official, Up-to-Date BeltLine Mileage Information

Because construction and openings change over time, it’s useful to check official sources when you’re planning a new route.

The organization responsible for planning and system-wide oversight is:

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

You can also look for:

• Trailhead kiosks and maps at major access points
• Signage along the trail showing neighborhood names, directions, and occasionally approximate distances

Key Takeaways: How Many Miles Is the Atlanta BeltLine?

• The planned Atlanta BeltLine loop is about 22 miles of main multi-use trail circling central Atlanta.
• Roughly half that mileage is already open and paved, giving you around 11–13 miles of continuous main trail today, plus additional connectors.
• The Eastside and Westside Trails each offer about 3 miles of popular, well-used path.
• You can easily create 1–10+ mile routes by combining different segments, neighborhood streets, and transit connections.

Whether you’re a local looking for a regular walking loop or a visitor wanting a few scenic miles, understanding how many miles the Atlanta BeltLine offers right now helps you choose the stretch that fits your time, energy, and interests.