The South's Epic Two-State Rail Trail Runs Roughly 100 Miles Through Mountains And Forests

Tracing a line through the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains from the outskirts of Atlanta, Georgia, across the state line into Alabama is one of the longest continuous paved rail trails in the United States. Consisting of both the 61.5-mile Silver Comet Trail and the 39.2-mile Chief Ladiga Trail, this route is one of the best ways to enjoy the forests, cotton fields, and wetlands the Southern states have to offer and is surely a contender for the most beautiful bike trails in the U.S.

Running from Smyrna, roughly 16 miles from downtown Atlanta, the epic rail trail heads west to Anniston, crossing the state line near Cedartown, and passing through a handful of towns along the way. It can, of course, be taken in either direction, and with over 30 trailheads en route, you needn't be daunted by the prospect of tackling such a long distance in one go. Following the former Seaboard Air Line Railroad, the Silver Comet Trail is named after the train which trundled along these tracks between Birmingham and New York City from 1947 until 1969. The Chief Ladiga Trail is named after a Muscogee chief, who signed the treaty of Cusseta in 1832, under which their Alabama territory was ceded.

With the Silver Comet entirely surfaced in concrete and the Chief Ladiga in asphalt, it's a smooth, mostly flat route. Open to walkers and roller skaters, but especially popular with cyclists, its surface is suitable for touring and mountain bikes. Some sections are also open to horse riders. For those hoping to tackle the entire route, the fun and scenic Amtrak Crescent train journey runs between both Atlanta and Anniston, although those with bikes should reserve in advance.

If starting from Smyrna, you'll be heading off from the Mavell Road Trailhead. Plans are underway to join the Silver Comet Trail with the Atlanta Beltline, but at the time of writing, connecting sections are still incomplete. If you need to stock up on any bike supplies, now's the time to do it. Comet Trail Cycles is around 4 miles in at Mableton and open every day. They also have bicycles for hire at $80 per day. This is also the busiest part of the trail and popular with walkers, runners, and cyclists on the weekends.

The 12-foot-wide route passes through several suburban neighborhoods, including Powder Springs and Dallas, Georgia. But you'll soon be out in the countryside and riding through the peaceful tunnel of woodland of the Paulding Forest Wildlife Management Area, which provides some welcome relief from the sunshine on a hot, humid Georgia summer day. The only drawback is the branches and debris left on the trail after a storm hits.

Two of the trail's main landmarks are on this stretch. Firstly, the Pumpkinvine Creek Trestle, a 750-foot-long former railway bridge, rises 126 feet above the creek and offers wonderful views over the forest. Especially so in fall when the trees turn rich warming shades of gold, orange, and auburn. A little further on is the 800-foot-long Brushy Mountain Tunnel, where having a flashlight is advisable. You may be ready for a break by the time you get to Rockmart, where you can stock up on supplies. Otherwise, it's onward and a little upward, as the gentle route becomes noticeably hillier east of Cedartown. Here, Camp Comet Campground provides a free but basic place to pitch your tent for the night before you cross the Alabama state line.

Back onto flat terrain on the Chief Ladiga Trail, despite it being the more mountainous of the two trails. This means you can concentrate on the scenic views of the remote Appalachian countryside, including Mount Cheaha, the highest point in Alabama. Near the state line, you pass through Talladega National Forest and much of the route is spent in pleasantly shady surroundings before arriving in Piedmont. Another ideal rest stop, Piedmont has a selection of restaurants, shops, and hotels. It's also an interesting place for history fans, as it's where the campaign to turn the former railroad into a rail trail started. 

Further on in Jacksonville, stop off at the restored 1860s railway depot, once used by the Confederacy during the Civil War, and now a rest stop and bike repair station. The final stretch takes you through a bamboo forest just south of Weaver before finally making it to the Michael Tucker Memorial Park in Anniston, which used to be the finish line. Now, with the 6.5-mile extension that opened in 2025, the trail goes directly to the train station.

Experienced cyclists could easily complete the entire two-state trail in a day. If you want to take your time and have a nosy around the towns, Rockmart and Piedmont are convenient places to stop on a three-day itinerary. BikeSilverComet offers free suggested itineraries, with places to stay and timelines working out how long it will take based on speed. Even though there are several towns along the route, it's still pretty remote, so be prepared with enough food and water, as well as a puncture repair kit, lights, and a charged phone. The end point at Anniston's Amtrak station is particularly handy if you need to jump on the Crescent train back to Atlanta, ranked as America's best summer travel destination in 2026.