5 Great Places to Ride Bikes in Georgia
We spent some time out west a few years ago during the summer and did a good bit of biking. It’s a fun and inexpensive way to explore. Things look much different from the seat of a bike than they do from a car window, and I just like being outside.
Georgia has several places perfect for exploring on two wheels. Here are five of our favorites.
Silver Comet Trail in Northwest Georgia
The Silver Comet Trail is located 13 miles northwest of Atlanta and travels west through Cobb, Paulding, and Polk counties. It ends at the Georgia/Alabama state line, near Cedartown and Esom, where it joins the 33-mile long Chief Ladiga Trail, which takes you into Alabama. I like to start at the Floyd Road trailhead because they have a bike rental shop for those who don’t have their own bikes. This section is pretty flat, too, perfect for new riders.
Atlanta BeltLine
The Atlanta BeltLine is built on former railroad paths and when complete, will be 22 miles of continuous trails circling Atlanta and connecting 45 neighborhoods. An added bonus, there are several playgrounds and interesting stops along the routes to keep kids engaged and entertained.
St. Simons Island and Jekyll Island
St. Simons Island and nearby Jekyll Island have miles and miles of bike paths. On St. Simons, you can pedal next to the ocean or to the airport to watch the planes take off and land. On Jekyll, explore the maritime forest or tour the historic district.
Panola Mountain State Park in Stockbridge
We went to Panola Mountain State Park for the archery, but also brought our bikes to test out the paths. It was a lot of fun, and next time I’d like to take some additional time and go to Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area and maybe stop along the way at the Monastery of the Holy Spirit.
Blankets Creek Mountain Bike Trails in Canton/Woodstock
An incredibly inclusive mountain biking trail system, Blankets Creek is designed with everyone in mind. A training area and two miles of easy trails offer a great starting point for beginners and an awesome warm-up for more advanced riders. Nearly 15 miles of trails weave through the trees, wind along the creek, and climb up and down the rolling elevation. The trails here range from very easy, family-friendly rides to heart-pounding sections dedicated to cyclists pushing the limits in full-body gear.