If rooms are not available at the Ragsdale Inn, nearby Hiram has a Country Inn & Suites that is also close to the SCT and is a good alternative.Īt 61.5 miles, the Silver Comet is a long trail, but with a smooth paved surface and minimal intersections, the route can be biked in one or two days by those who are ambitious. Look for the inn on the right at the corner of Ragsdale Place. In town, 61N veers right, continue to follow it and take the third left on to Polk Avenue. To reach it, take I-278 W to 61N all the way to Dallas. The Ragsdale Inn is about 40 miles from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta Airport. The property features three rooms each with a private bath, full southern-style breakfast, snacks and fresh baked goods in the evenings, plus a spacious front porch with rockers (perfect for relaxing post-ride). This small B&B was built in 1905 and is a popular spot for bikers of the Silver Comet. The historical, bike-friendly Ragsdale Inn, close to downtown, provides the ideal spot to return to after a long day of biking. Our base for this itinerary is the small town of Dallas, which is located at the 22 mile marker along the SCT, which makes it a few miles shy of the halfway point. Today’s SCT begins 13 miles northwest of Atlanta in Smyrna at the Mavell Road Trailhead and travels west, ending at the Georgia/Alabama state line near Cedartown and at the Esom Hill Trailhead. Construction on the multi-purpose trail began in 1998 and the first section opened in Smyrna. The rail corridor itself dates from 1897 and was in use until 1989 when the owners at the time, CSX Railroad, discontinued operating on the route.
The Silver Comet Trail (SCT) is named after the luxury passenger train Silver Comet, which passed through this section of northwestern Georgia from 1947-69. With 61.5 miles of paved surface that passes through a few small towns, but with a focus largely on beautiful natural surroundings, the trail provides a tranquil, stress-free ride with several trail adjacent diversions, including a popular lake for a quick and refreshing swim, walking paths and historical sites. Upon reaching the trail’s northern terminus, cross the bridge to the smaller trailhead or turn around and head back the way you came.For recreational biking enthusiasts, the Silver Comet Trail is about as close to perfection as you can get in an off-road trail. From here, the path travels under Cumberland Boulevard, I-285, and Interstate North Parkway, the latter of which is the lowest, about 7 feet high at its lowest point. Without a sign alerting the hiker to this fact, you would never know the difference. Along this section, the trail connects to Cumberland Boulevard by way of a short side trail.Īt 1.6 miles, the Chattahoochee park ends and the trail becomes the Bob Callan trail.
During the summer months, this stretch can be draining under the hot sun. At 1 mile in, the trail emerges from the tree cover it’s had so far and gaining most of its elevation in the next. Cross over the creek again and shortly afterward are several areas that allow easy access to the creek to explore around and enjoy the water. Stay on the paved path, which now follows Rottenwood Creek north, running parallel to I-75 and then Cumberland Boulevard. Here, the trails for the West Palisades parks branch off on two dirt trails to the right. Immediately afterward, the trail crosses over Rottenwood Creek where it flows into the Hooch.
The path stays level, following the Chattahoochee River for the first half a mile. Also at this entrance is a large picnic area and boat ramp.īeginning at the Paces Mill entrance, the trailhead is at the far end of the parking lot away from the river. The parking lot at the Paces Mill entrance to the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area is much larger, but there is the standard $5/day fee for these parks. While the parking area on Interstate North Parkway is free, there are only about 10 spots. Parking is available at both ends of this trail. Future plans would extend this trail another two miles to Terrell Mill Road. The multi-use trail is perfect for families enjoying a walk, bikers who are looking for a short, slightly hilly path, and dogs looking to get their owner some exercise.
This two mile long paved mixed use path follows both the Chattahoochee River and the scenic Rottenwood Creek, making an excellent quick getaway from the surrounding area.
0 kommentar(er)
