Map of the Atlanta BeltLine: How to Read It, Where to Get It, and How to Use It

The Atlanta BeltLine map is one of the most useful tools you can have if you live in Atlanta, are visiting, or just trying to understand how the city fits together. Because the BeltLine isn’t a single straight trail but a ring of trails, parks, transit corridors, and future connections, a good map makes planning your route much easier.

Below is a clear guide to what the BeltLine map shows, how the different sections connect, and how to find the best map for what you want to do in Atlanta.

What the Atlanta BeltLine Map Actually Shows

Most official and well-made maps of the Atlanta BeltLine focus on a few key elements:

• Existing paved trails (where you can already walk, bike, or roll)
• Future trails and corridors (planned but not yet built or open to the public)
• Transit and streetcar connections
• Access points and cross streets
• Nearby neighborhoods, parks, and landmarks

When you look at any map of the Atlanta BeltLine, expect to see:

• A loop around central Atlanta, roughly following old railroad corridors
• Sections labeled Eastside, Westside, Southside, and Northside
• Color-coding that distinguishes:
  • Open/Completed Trail
  • Under Construction
  • Planned/Future Segment
• Icons for:
  • Parks and greenspaces
  • Transit (MARTA stations, sometimes bus routes)
  • Public facilities like recreation centers and libraries nearby

Understanding this color coding will help you quickly see where you can go right now versus what’s still in progress.

The Four Main Sections on the BeltLine Map

Eastside Trail

The Eastside Trail is one of the most popular and fully realized parts of the BeltLine and shows up prominently on most maps.

Key areas along the Eastside Trail include:

• Midtown (near Piedmont Park)
• Ponce City Market
• Historic Fourth Ward Park
• Inman Park / Edgewood
• Krog Street Market / Krog Street Tunnel
• Extending south toward Reynoldstown and Memorial Drive

On a typical BeltLine map, this section is often shown as:

• A solid, brightly colored line, indicating a completed and open multi-use trail
• Labeled access points at major cross streets like:
  • Monroe Drive / 10th Street
  • North Avenue
  • Freedom Parkway
  • Dekalb Avenue / Edgewood Avenue
  • Memorial Drive

This is the section most Atlanta visitors encounter first because it links several of the city’s densest, most walkable neighborhoods with restaurants, retail, apartments, and parks.

Westside Trail

The Westside Trail runs through historically significant neighborhoods on the west side of Atlanta and continues to expand.

When you look at it on the map, you’ll see it roughly:

• Connecting areas near Adair Park, Westview, and West End
• Running south toward the Oakland City area and further

On many BeltLine maps, nearby landmarks include:

• West End MARTA Station
• Lee + White (a redeveloped warehouse district)
• Parks such as Gordon White Park and Murphy Crossing area (future development zone)

The map will often highlight this as a completed trail in some sections, with additional portions marked as under construction or planned.

Southside Trail

The Southside Trail is the “bridge” between the Eastside and Westside segments, creating the bottom curve of the BeltLine loop.

On a map of the Atlanta BeltLine, expect the Southside to:

• Run generally between Glenwood Avenue in the east and West End / Adair Park in the west
• Be shown in a mix of completed, under construction, and future segments, depending on the latest updates

Key features often labeled:

• Neighborhoods like Ormewood Park, Grant Park, and Chosewood Park
• Connections to Memorial Drive and Moreland Avenue in the east
• Ties to the West End MARTA area in the west

If you’re planning a Southside ride or walk, a current map is especially important, since the status of individual segments changes as construction progresses.

Northside and Northwest Segments

The Northside and Northwest Trail segments are still being stitched together and may appear on maps as a combination of:

• Open greenways
• Planned trails
• Future transit corridors

On a BeltLine map, look for:

• The Northside Trail in Tanyard Creek Park near neighborhoods like Collier Hills and Ardmore Park
• Future connections looping west and south to link back toward the Westside Trail

Because the northern arc is still evolving, maps will usually have:

• Dashed or lighter lines for planned sections
• Labels noting “future trail,” “proposed,” or “design phase”

Quick Reference Table: How BeltLine Sections Appear on Maps

How to Use a BeltLine Map to Plan Your Route

1. Start With Where You Are

Use the map to find:

• Your nearest cross street or MARTA station
• The closest open trail segment (solid line)
• The most direct access point (ramps, stairs, or trailheads)

Common starting points many people use:

• Midtown / Piedmont Park area for Eastside access
• Inman Park / Krog Street for walkable Eastside entry
• West End MARTA Station for Westside and Southside access
• Tanyard Creek Park for the Northside Trail

2. Identify Which Sections Are Fully Connected

Before heading out, read the map to see:

• Where the trail is continuous
• Where there are gaps requiring neighborhood streets or detours

Most newer maps of the Atlanta BeltLine clearly distinguish between:

• “Open to the public” sections (solid line)
• “Closed corridor / construction area” (different color or dashed line)
• “Proposed” future routes that you cannot access yet

3. Check for Transit and Parking

A detailed BeltLine map often includes:

• MARTA rail stations (like Inman Park/Reynoldstown, King Memorial, West End, Art Center, and others)
• Major bus routes that intersect the BeltLine
• Public parking areas near access points (though these may be marked more generally)

Using the map, you can:

• Park once and walk or bike multiple segments
• Use MARTA to return to your starting point instead of backtracking
• Plan short, family-friendly loops or longer rides that cross multiple neighborhoods

Types of Atlanta BeltLine Maps You’ll Encounter

Printed Visitor Maps and Brochures

In many Atlanta locations, especially near the BeltLine, you’ll find printed maps that give a simplified overview of:

• The main trail loop and major spurs
• Parks and greenspaces
• Key destination districts (like Ponce City Market, Old Fourth Ward, Westside, etc.)

These are usually:

• Easier to read on the go
• Great for first-time visitors or casual users
• Sometimes posted on kiosks or signboards along the trail

You may see these at:

• Visitor centers in Downtown or Midtown
• Some BeltLine-adjacent parks and facilities
• Community centers and public buildings along the route

On-Trail Signage (Maps on Kiosks and Signs)

Along major access points, many BeltLine segments have:

• You-are-here style maps
• Basic wayfinding arrows
• Distance markers to the next points of interest

This helps if you:

• Jump onto the trail without planning in advance
• Need to reorient mid-trip or adjust your route for time or weather
• Want to know how far it is to a nearby park, MARTA station, or well-known landmark

Digital and App-Based Maps

Many residents and visitors use map apps on their phone alongside official BeltLine maps. These can help you:

• See how the trail lines up with surrounding streets
• Navigate gaps or detours when the trail transitions to local roads
• Find food, restrooms, or bike shops near the BeltLine

If you combine:

• An official BeltLine map (for what’s open, planned, or closed)
• With a general map app (for turn-by-turn directions and businesses)

you’ll have a more complete picture of how to move around Atlanta using the BeltLine as your backbone.

Reading the Fine Details: Symbols and Labels to Know

When you look closely at a map of the Atlanta BeltLine, you’ll usually see more than just a loop:

• Trailheads / Access Points: Often shown with small icons or arrows; these are where you can enter and exit easily.
• Parks and Greenspaces: Shaded areas or tree icons, such as:
  • Historic Fourth Ward Park
  • Perkerson Park (Southside area)
  • Tanyard Creek Park (Northside area)
• Waterways: Creeks and streams like Clear Creek or Tanyard Creek, which may run alongside the trail.
• Future Transit Alignment: Indicated by a line or corridor alongside the trail, showing where future transit may run.

Understanding these symbols lets you use the BeltLine not just as a straight path, but as a network connecting different parts of the city.

Using the BeltLine Map for Different Activities

Walking and Running

For walking or running, look on the map for:

• Continuous trail sections at the distance you want
• Areas with parks and shade nearby
• Access points close to your home, office, or hotel

Popular choices:

• A short loop around the Eastside Trail from Midtown to Inman Park and back
• A Westside run starting near West End MARTA, heading north toward Westview

Biking and Scooters

For cycling or scooters, focus on:

• Longer continuous stretches on the Eastside and Westside
• Connections to streets with bike lanes or low traffic when the trail ends
• Locations where you can connect to MARTA if you get tired or the weather changes

The map helps you anticipate where you’ll need to:

• Slow down for busy intersections
• Navigate shared spaces with heavy pedestrian traffic
• Adjust speed and route in more congested urban segments

Exploring Neighborhoods and Dining

One of the biggest advantages of having a good BeltLine map is seeing:

• Which neighborhood each segment passes through
• Where clusters of restaurants, bars, and shops are located relative to the trail

Examples you’ll see clearly when you overlay the BeltLine map with your mental picture of Atlanta:

• Krog Street Market and surrounding Inman Park restaurants just off the Eastside Trail
• Lee + White food and drink options along the Westside Trail
• Areas along Memorial Drive that connect to the Southside and Eastside transitions

Safety and Access Notes You Can Infer from the Map

While the map itself does not replace on-the-ground awareness, it helps you think about:

• Time of day and lighting: Some segments move through quieter, more residential or industrial areas; the map shows you which parts might be less busy in off-hours.
• Road crossings: Major roads (like Dekalb Avenue, Memorial Drive, or Ralph David Abernathy Boulevard) are clearly labeled, alerting you to potentially busier intersections.
• Emergency access: Close proximity to major streets and intersections can make it easier to reach help if needed.

Many users in Atlanta prefer to:

• Use busier Eastside and Westside sections during early mornings and evenings
• Check the map for alternative access points in case a segment is blocked or closed for maintenance

When You Should Double-Check the Map’s Currency

Because the BeltLine is still being built out, older or simplified maps may not show:

• Newly opened trail segments
• Construction zones or temporary closures
• Recently added connections to streets or parks

If your plans rely on:

• A specific Southside gap being passable
• A Northside extension being open
• Navigating through industrial areas that are mid-construction

you may want to confirm with the most current map version you can find or compare more than one source before heading out.

Using a map of the Atlanta BeltLine turns a basic walk or ride into a more intentional way to experience how Atlanta’s neighborhoods connect. Once you understand how to read the loop, the color coding, and the major segments—Eastside, Westside, Southside, and Northside—you can plan routes that fit your time, comfort level, and interest in exploring the city.