SILVER COMET TRAIL, GEORGIA
The original namesake for the Silver Comet Trail is a passenger train that ran through the area between 1947 and 1969. When the railway line was abandoned in 1989, advocates, elected officials and community members came together to develop the concept for the trail.
A partnership between the PATH Foundation, three county governments and the departments of parks and transportation helped launch the trail, and construction began in 1998.
Today, the Silver Comet Trail is a paved, off-road trail that is relatively flat and a great destination for riders of all ages.
Running for 61.5 miles (98.4km) across the northwest of Georgia, it begins just outside Atlanta in the east and ends at the Alabama border to the west. At the border, the Chief Ladiga Trail begins for a combined length of 94.5 miles (151.2km) of paved, off-road trail.
Riders on the Silver Comet Trail travel through several towns and remote forested areas. Along the way, there
are beaches, picnic spots and rest areas with washrooms, as well as many attractions. Points of special interest include the restored Pumpkinvine
Trestle Bridge, that stands 126 feet above the creek below, and a BMX bike park. Located right beside a water park, both parks are accessible by bike using a two-mile trail connection into Powder Springs.
A helpful interactive map is available to help you plan your journey, including overnight accommodations.
The PATH Foundation recently announced that this popular trail was going to be extended by 2.3 miles. This expansion towards the east, expected to be completed by 2021, will be built by the Foundation at no cost to the state.
In Georgia, e-bikes are classified as bicycles, and several websites highlight that e-bike riders are welcome along the trail.