Exploring the Atlanta BeltLine Southside Trail (Interim): What to Know Before You Go

The Atlanta BeltLine Southside Trail (Interim) is one of the most interesting stretches of the BeltLine right now: a mix of paved and unpaved segments, active construction, and fast-changing neighborhoods. If you live in Atlanta—or you’re visiting and want to experience the city beyond the usual tourist spots—this section offers a real feel for Atlanta’s urban trails and greenways in transition.

Below is exactly what you need to know to walk, bike, or run the Southside Trail (Interim) safely and enjoyably.

What Is the Southside Trail (Interim)?

The Southside Trail is the portion of the Atlanta BeltLine that connects the Eastside and Westside corridors, roughly forming the “bottom” of the BeltLine loop.

The word “interim” is important:

• Interim Southside Trail = mostly gravel/dirt rail corridor, not fully paved
• Completed Southside Trail segments = finished, paved, accessible trail with lighting and landscaping

You’ll see an active mix of:

• Paved segments (with full trail amenities)
• Unpaved, more rugged sections (former railbed)
• Ongoing construction areas with detours

If you’re planning a visit, treat this area as part greenway, part construction zone, and part urban hike.

Where the Southside Trail Sits on the BeltLine

Think of the BeltLine as a clock around central Atlanta:

• 12 o’clock – Northeast/Eastside (Inman Park, Virginia-Highland)
• 3 o’clock – Southeast
• 6 o’clock – Southside
• 9 o’clock – Westside

The Southside Trail runs roughly from:

• The Westside Trail near West End / Adair Park
  to
• The Eastside Trail near Grant Park / Ormewood Park / Glenwood Park

You’ll pass through or near:

• West End & Adair Park
• Pittsburgh & Capitol View
• Chosewood Park & Boulevard Heights
• Ormewood Park & Glenwood Park

These neighborhoods are actively changing, with new apartments, retail, and parks opening around the trail.

Key Access Points and Nearby Landmarks

Here are commonly used access points and nearby anchors locals use to find the Southside Trail. Conditions and signage can change, so stay flexible.

On the West Side

Near West End / Adair Park

• Access from the Westside Trail close to the White Street / Allene Avenue area.
• Great if you’re coming from West End MARTA Station (roughly a 10–20 minute walk depending on your route).

Pittsburgh Yards area

• Located off University Avenue SW, near the I-75/I-85 connector.
• Often used as a reference point when discussing the Southside corridor on the west side.

Central/Southeast Portion

Pryor Road / Hank Aaron corridor

• The trail corridor runs near the former Turner Field area / Summerhill and Pryor Road SW.
• This is one of the more “in transition” areas where segments, access, and construction can shift.

On the East Side

Glenwood Park / Ormewood Park area

• The Southside corridor ties into the Eastside Trail near the Glenwood Avenue SE area and the retail cluster in Glenwood Park.
• This is often the most intuitive place for Eastside residents to enter the Southside segment.

Because the trail is partly interim and evolving, many Atlantans use neighborhood landmarks—like Glenwood Park, Pittsburgh Yards, West End, or Chosewood Park—to orient themselves, then follow BeltLine signage and corridor paths from there.

Paved vs. Interim: What the Experience Is Like

The Southside corridor feels different depending on whether you’re on a completed segment or the interim trail.

Paved / Completed Portions

Where sections are completed, you can typically expect:

• Smooth concrete or asphalt surface
• Striped lanes and clear wayfinding signs
• Benches and lighting in many areas
• Landscaping, public art, and nearby development

These parts feel similar to the Eastside or Westside BeltLine: busy at peak times, more family-friendly, and good for everyday walking, running, or biking.

Interim / Unpaved Portions

On the interim Southside Trail, be ready for:

• Gravel, dirt, and occasionally uneven surfaces
• Old railroad ballast (small rocks) in spots
• Limited or no lighting at night
• Less formal access points and variable signage
• Construction barriers, equipment, or short detours

Many locals treat the interim sections as an urban hike rather than a casual neighborhood stroll. You’ll often see:

• Runners looking for something less crowded
• Cyclists with more rugged bikes
• Neighbors walking dogs or commuting between nearby neighborhoods

If you have strollers, wheelchairs, or mobility challenges, the interim portions can be difficult. Most people in those situations try to stick to paved, completed segments or connect via nearby city streets and sidewalks.

Activities: What You Can Do on the Southside Trail (Interim)

The Southside Trail is used like other BeltLine sections, but the interim status shapes what’s realistic.

Walking and Running

You can:

• Go for a neighborhood walk or run on completed segments
• Explore a longer route by connecting Westside, Southside, and Eastside portions

Tips:

• On gravel sections, choose sturdy shoes with good tread.
• Expect your pace to be slower on interim parts than on the paved Eastside Trail.

Biking

Cycling is common, but the experience varies:

• Paved areas – Friendly for most bikes, including hybrids and city bikes
• Interim sections – More comfortable with wider tires or bikes that handle gravel

If you’re new to cycling in Atlanta or using a bike that’s not ideal for rough ground, consider:

• Sticking to the finished Southside segments and other paved BeltLine sections
• Using nearby surface streets as connectors where the trail is still interim or under construction

Dog Walking

You’ll see plenty of dogs on leashes along the Southside corridor. On interim portions:

• Watch for loose rock, puddles, and debris
• Bring water for your dog, especially in hot weather
• Keep your dog close around construction zones and narrower path areas

Commuting and Neighborhood Connectivity

For many residents in West End, Adair Park, Pittsburgh, Capitol View, Chosewood Park, Boulevard Heights, Ormewood Park, and Glenwood Park, the Southside area is already a daily route:

• Walking to MARTA or bus routes
• Biking to work in downtown or Midtown via neighborhood streets
• Connecting between the Eastside and Westside trails without driving

If you live nearby, you can often replace short car trips with short BeltLine walks or rides, even with the interim status.

Safety and Etiquette on the Interim Southside

Because of its evolving nature, the Southside corridor requires a bit more awareness than more polished sections.

General Safety Tips

• Daylight is best: Interim sections can be very dark at night due to limited lighting.
• Watch your footing: Gravel, tracks, and uneven spots are common.
• Respect closures: Construction areas and fenced-off zones are closed for a reason.
• Travel with a buddy when exploring unfamiliar or less-traveled stretches, especially early or late in the day.
• Be aware of your surroundings in urban areas—typical common-sense city awareness applies.

Shared-Use Trail Etiquette

Even on the interim sections, basic BeltLine etiquette helps everyone:

• Keep right, pass left
• Announce passes (“On your left”) if you’re biking or running
• Leash pets and keep leashes short in crowded spots
• Use headphones at low volume so you can hear others
• Don’t block the path—step aside if you stop to chat, check your phone, or take photos

What to Bring for the Interim Trail

The interim surface and changing features make a small amount of preparation worthwhile.

Helpful items to bring:

• Comfortable closed-toe shoes (trail or running shoes work well)
• Water bottle, especially in warmer months
• Hat and sunscreen – much of the corridor is exposed
• Bike with decent tires if you plan to ride unpaved sections
• A small light or reflective gear if you might be out near dusk

Southside Trail vs. Eastside and Westside: What’s Different?

Here’s a quick comparison that many Atlantans use when choosing which BeltLine section to visit:

If you’re new to the BeltLine, you might start on the Eastside or Westside, then use segments of the Southside as you get more comfortable navigating Atlanta’s trail network.

How to Get There Without a Car

Many Atlanta residents and visitors use transit + walking to reach BeltLine segments, including the Southside.

MARTA Rail

Common approaches include:

• West End Station (Red/Gold Lines)
  • Walk or bike west into West End / Adair Park and connect to the Westside Trail, then to the Southside corridor.
• King Memorial or Georgia State Stations (Blue/Green Lines)
  • Use surface streets to reach the Eastside Trail, then follow signs and connectors toward Glenwood Park and the Southside area.

MARTA Bus

Bus routes serving neighborhoods along the Southside corridor may change over time, but routes in and around West End, Pittsburgh, Summerhill, Grant Park, and Glenwood Park often provide close access.

You can:

• Use a MARTA rail station as your anchor
• Connect via bus into the Southside neighborhoods
• Walk to the corridor from there

Parking Near the Southside Corridor

Parking conditions change as development progresses, but Atlantans typically use a mix of:

• On-street parking in nearby neighborhoods (respect posted signs and residents)
• Parking near neighborhood retail nodes, such as in parts of West End, Glenwood Park, or along major roads like Moreland or Boulevard where private lots allow short-term parking
• Occasional small parking areas or lots associated with parks, community spaces, or mixed-use developments near the trail

Because availability and rules change, many people prefer to park once near a well-known area (like West End or Glenwood Park) and then walk or bike the corridor from there rather than hunting for parking directly at an interim access point.

Who Manages the Southside Trail and Where to Ask Questions

The Southside Trail is part of the larger Atlanta BeltLine project, coordinated by Atlanta BeltLine, Inc. in partnership with the City of Atlanta and other public entities.

For the most current information about:

• Which Southside segments are open or closed
• Construction timelines
• Official maps and access points
• Events or volunteer opportunities along the trail

You can contact or visit:

Atlanta BeltLine, Inc.

• Main office: typically located in the central Atlanta area (commonly along the BeltLine Eastside corridor)
• General information phone: 404-477-3003 (main public-facing line as commonly used for BeltLine inquiries)

You can also check:

• Public info boards and wayfinding signs along the Eastside and Westside trails, which often highlight Southside projects and detours
• Community meetings and neighborhood planning sessions in West End, Adair Park, Pittsburgh, Chosewood Park, and Grant Park areas, where BeltLine updates are frequently discussed

When the Southside Trail Is Fully Built Out

Over time, the interim parts of the Southside Trail are expected to become:

• Fully paved, continuous trail connecting the Eastside and Westside
• Better lit and landscaped, with more amenities
• Surrounded by a growing mix of parks, housing, retail, and community spaces

For Atlanta residents, this will create a major east–west connector at the southern edge of the BeltLine loop—making it easier to live a more walkable and bikeable lifestyle across a much larger swath of the city.

Until then, using the Atlanta BeltLine Southside Trail (Interim) is a way to experience where the city is going while seeing where it has been—rail corridors, industrial areas, and rapidly changing neighborhoods, all linked by one evolving urban trail.