Exploring the Big Creek Greenway: Atlanta’s Northside Boardwalk Escape

The Big Creek Greenway is one of metro Atlanta’s most popular urban trails and greenways, offering miles of paved path and raised boardwalk through shady woods and wetlands. If you live in Atlanta—or you’re visiting and willing to drive a bit north—this trail system is a great way to walk, bike, or run away from traffic while still staying close to the city.

What Is the Big Creek Greenway?

The Big Creek Greenway is a multi-use trail that roughly follows Big Creek (also known as Vickery Creek) through Alpharetta, Roswell, and Forsyth County, north of Atlanta.

Key features include:

• Paved and boardwalk surface, mostly flat
• Separated from cars, ideal for walking, running, biking, and strollers
• Wooded and wetland scenery, with frequent wildlife sightings
• Multiple access points with parking, restrooms at some trailheads

For Atlanta residents, it’s a quieter, more natural counterpart to the Atlanta BeltLine and PATH trails, with more shade and fewer street crossings.

Where the Big Creek Greenway Is (From an Atlanta Perspective)

While not inside the City of Atlanta limits, the Big Creek Greenway is part of the greater metro trail network and is easy to reach by car from most intown neighborhoods.

Approximate drive times in light to moderate traffic:

• From Midtown Atlanta to Alpharetta trailheads: 30–45 minutes via GA-400
• From Buckhead: 25–40 minutes
• From Sandy Springs / Dunwoody: 20–30 minutes

The trail currently has two major segments most relevant to Atlanta users:

1. Fulton County section – primarily in Alpharetta and Roswell
2. Forsyth County section – continues north with additional miles of trail

These sections are being gradually linked and extended, so total mileage and connectivity may increase over time.

Main Access Points and Trailheads

Below is a simplified overview of some commonly used access points for Atlanta-area users. Always check local maps or county resources for the latest details before heading out.

*Names and exact access points can differ between county systems. Local signage and maps at each trailhead will show current entry points, mile markers, and closures.

Parking is typically free at most public trailheads and parks that connect to the Greenway.

What You Can Do on the Big Creek Greenway

The Big Creek Greenway supports a wide mix of activities, making it useful for both casual outings and serious workouts.

Walking and Running

• Flat, predictable surface is good for all fitness levels.
• Long stretches allow for distance training without frequent stops.
• The shaded boardwalk areas can be more comfortable in hot weather than exposed city streets.

Many Atlanta runners use the Greenway as a weekend training spot when they want a break from hills and traffic on intown routes.

Biking

The Greenway is very popular with casual and recreational cyclists:

• Paved path accommodates road bikes, hybrids, and many e-bikes.
• Mostly separated from vehicle traffic, aside from some road crossings near trailheads.
• Family-friendly routes for kids learning to ride, especially near park connections.

Because it’s a shared-use trail, cyclists need to ride at a controlled speed, use a bell or voice to pass, and yield appropriately to pedestrians.

Strollers, Scooters, and Mobility Devices

The smooth, wide surface supports:

• Strollers and joggers
• Wheelchairs and many other mobility devices
• Some personal scooters (check local rules if using motorized devices)

Raised boardwalk sections have railings but can be narrow in places, so passing etiquette is important.

Nature Viewing and Photography

Compared with many intown Atlanta trails, the Big Creek Greenway feels much more like a forest and wetland corridor. Visitors commonly report seeing:

• Deer
• Birds (herons, hawks, songbirds)
• Turtles and other small wildlife

It’s a good place for quiet morning walks, nature photography, or simply getting a break from concrete without driving all the way to the North Georgia mountains.

How the Big Creek Greenway Compares to the Atlanta BeltLine and PATH Trails

If you already know the Atlanta BeltLine or PATH Foundation trails, it helps to think of the Big Creek Greenway as a different style of experience:

Big Creek Greenway:

• More natural and wooded
• Fewer restaurants and shops directly on the trail
• Suitable for long, uninterrupted runs or rides
• Boardwalks over creeks and wetlands

Atlanta BeltLine and intown PATH trails:

• More urban and social, with public art and commercial access
• Frequent street crossings in some sections
• Great for shorter walks, food stops, and people-watching

Many Atlanta residents use both: BeltLine/PATH during the week and Big Creek Greenway for longer weekend outings.

Planning Your Visit from Atlanta

When to Go

• Mornings (especially on weekends) are popular with runners and cyclists.
• Late afternoon and early evening are common times for families and dog walkers.
• Trails can be busy on pleasant-weather weekends, but still less crowded than some BeltLine segments.

Severe weather and heavy rain can sometimes cause temporary boardwalk closures due to flooding or maintenance, so it’s wise to check local county or city updates before a long drive.

What to Bring

A few basics help most visitors enjoy the trail:

• Comfortable walking or running shoes
• Water (not all trailheads have fountains)
• Sun protection, especially in more open sections
• Bug protection in warm, humid months
• Helmet if you’re biking
• Small bag or pack for keys, phone, and snacks

Many trailheads have restrooms, but not every one does, so plan ahead.

Trail Etiquette Tips

To keep the Greenway safe and pleasant:

• 🚲 Keep right, pass on the left
• Use a bell or say “On your left” when passing
• Control your speed on bikes and scooters
• Keep dogs on a short leash and clean up after them
• Refrain from blocking the path when stopping or gathering as a group

This shared-space approach will feel familiar if you already walk or ride on the BeltLine or PATH trails.

Accessibility and Family-Friendliness

The Big Creek Greenway is generally considered accessible and family-friendly:

• Long, flat stretches for young cyclists and new runners
• Smooth surfaces that can accommodate many mobility devices
• Parks along the route (especially in Forsyth County and Alpharetta areas) often have playgrounds, open fields, and rest areas

If you’re coming from Atlanta with kids, you can:

• Park at a trailhead with a playground or picnic area
• Take a short, out-and-back ride or walk on the Greenway
• Return to the playground for a break before driving home

This makes it a manageable half-day trip from intown neighborhoods.

Safety Considerations for Atlanta Visitors

Like any popular trail system, basic safety awareness is helpful:

• Go with a friend or group if possible, especially at quieter times.
• Let someone know which trailhead you’re using and your expected return time.
• Secure valuables in your vehicle or avoid bringing them.
• Follow all posted trail and park rules.

Local police departments and county agencies typically patrol or monitor park areas, but users are expected to take normal precautions, just as they would at any major Atlanta-area park or trail.

How the Big Creek Greenway Fits into Atlanta’s Larger Trail Network

For someone who lives in or frequently visits Atlanta, the Big Creek Greenway is part of a growing regional network of trails that includes:

• Atlanta BeltLine (intown multi-use corridors)
• PATH Foundation trails (Silver Comet, Stone Mountain, and neighborhood connectors)
• County and city greenways in Fulton, DeKalb, Cobb, and Gwinnett

Many Atlanta residents use these trails strategically:

• Short weekday workouts: BeltLine or nearby PATH sections
• Long weekend mileage: Big Creek Greenway or Silver Comet
• Family outings: Trails linked to large parks and playgrounds

If you’re building a routine around walking, running, or cycling, the Big Creek Greenway is a useful addition when you want cooler shaded stretches, longer distances, and a more natural setting than you’ll usually find intown.

Practical Next Steps for Atlanta Residents and Visitors

If you’re in Atlanta and want to explore the Big Creek Greenway:

1. Decide your starting area

   • Closest to Atlanta: Roswell and Alpharetta trailheads off GA-400.

2. Choose your activity and distance

   • Casual walk with kids or dogs: park near a well-used trailhead and plan a 1–3 mile out-and-back.
   • Longer run or ride: connect several segments for a longer continuous route.

3. Check for trail updates

   • Before leaving Atlanta, confirm there are no major closures or special events affecting parking or access.

4. Build it into your routine

   • Use the Greenway as your “nature escape” trail, complementing your intown BeltLine or PATH routes.

By understanding where the Big Creek Greenway sits in relation to Atlanta and how it’s commonly used, you can decide whether it’s worth the drive for your next walk, run, or ride—and how to make the most of your time on this Northside greenway.