Now that the Westside Trail is open for use, we’ve received many questions about the portion of the trail that uses the West End Trail for a half-mile between Gordon White Park and Lawton Street.
If you follow the old railroad corridor in this area, the trail is unpaved behind the northwestern half of what we call “Warehouse Row.” Transit will eventually be built along this stretch, but it is too narrow to accommodate both trail and transit in its current configuration. With a distance of just over a half-mile and no real access points, the decision was made to divert cyclists and pedestrians to the West End Trail until transit is built.
If you’re traveling south from the direction of Ralph David Abernathy Boulevard, you will come to a curve in the trail that leads you out to White Street and Gordon White Park. Cross the street and take a right onto the West End Trail eastbound for just under 0.6 miles. After you pass under Lawton Street (look for the colorful mural – it’s “The West End Remembers,” by Malaika Favorite), you will see the West End Trail continue up a ramp on your left.
A silver metal BeltLine sign denotes the intersection. It will lead you back toward Lawton Street, bringing you to the bridge over White Street. Bear left and follow the trail along Lawton to the end (near Donnelly Street) and you will see another ramp leading back down to the Westside Trail corridor. There are also stairs mid-block if you prefer.
If you’re traveling north, you’ll need to take the ramp on your left as you approach Lawton Street, take a right at the top of the ramp or stairs (staying on the same side of the street), cross back over the corridor and White Street, veer right at the next trail, and follow that down to meet White Street. Make a right. Take the trail down White Street to the southeast corner of Gordon White Park, until you see the entrance to the Westside Trail to the left across the street. Cross at the designated crosswalk.
This is how you navigate the Westside Trail around where the corridor has been preserved for transit; however, that corridor is available as an unpaved trail should you choose to walk the unpaved portion and save yourself some distance. As with all Atlanta BeltLine unpaved trails, there is no lighting and the terrain may be rough so please use caution.
Can I get to IKEA from the west belt line if I live off of Beecher street????
Hi Nicole,
The Westside Trail doesn’t connect to Atlantic Station and IKEA.
Thanks!
Jenny
What is the best way to access the Beltline from Georgia Tech (10th Street and Hemphill Ave)?
Hi Kellie: Thanks for the comment! Georgia Tech is not currently close to an access point for an open Atlanta BeltLine trail, but you can go north to Tanyard Creek Park (near Northside and Collier Road) to find the Northside Trail, east on 10th to find the Eastside Trail across from Piedmont Park, or south via Northside / Lee Street to find the Westside Trail referenced in the post above. Hope that helps!
-JR
Will the Beltline connect to the Jefferson Park neighborhood?
Hi Andrea – the Atlanta BeltLine will not connect to the Jefferson Park neighborhood.
Thanks for your question!
JR
Will the beltline connect to, Emma Milligan, South Atlanta or Joyland Park at all?
Hi Ashley – the future Southside Trail of the Atlanta BeltLine is planned to run through South Atlanta, very close to the Joyland neighborhood and Emma Millican Park. Hope that helps. Thanks for your question!
-JR
So confusing, why aren’t there just more signs pointing the way to follow the trail?
Temporary directionals are being installed. Permanent signage will be installed along with the rest of our signage program. Thanks for the question! – JR
Is a train car already in motion anywhere on the westside? Or planned to be on the westside? Or ONLY walking/biking trails?
Amber – transportation is a key component of the Atlanta BeltLine plans. There is no rail running yet, but we are under Federally-regulated studies for transit on the Eastside Trail, Westside Trail, and across town to join the existing Atlanta Streetcar. Eventually, the entire streetcar network is envisioned to be more than 50 miles of rail, including the Atlanta BeltLine. Hope that answers your question!
JR
where is the next section going to be built?
Hi Amber – currently, the remainder of Eastside Trail’s extension Phase II is getting ready for construction (between Kirkwood and Memorial.) The Southside Trail connecting the Westside & Eastside Trails is in the design phase, and will likely be the next major segment under construction. Hope that answers your question!
Thanks!
JR
When will the area behind Capital View Manor open?
Hi Frank –
That area is part of the Southside Trail development, which is now in the design phase. Construction is likely still a few years off, and more information will be available later this year when we return to the community with design info. Hope this helps!
JR
Any new update for the trail around the water treatment plant leading to the new park off Marietta Road? Just off Huff and Ellsworth Industrial
Hi Chris,
Planning for that part of the Atlanta BeltLine is still several years in the future. We will update you as we have more info.
Thanks,
JR
Which sections of the BeltLine have lighting?
Hi Andrea, the Westside Trail and Eastside Trail Extension both have lighting. Lighting will be retroactively installed on the Eastside Trail, and will be included with all newly-built trails.
Where is the closet belt line access point from the Brookhaven Marta Station?
Hi Brittany, the Brookhaven station is not near the Atlanta BeltLine – the closest would be the Midtown station, where the BeltLine can be accessed about a mile east at 10th & Monroe.
Will Metropolitan Parkway have access to the beltline?
Hi Jasmine, More information will be decided in the design process for the Southside Trail, but a connection at Metropolitan is highly likely.
Thanks! JR
This is great information. Will the Westside beltline eventually make its way up to Grove Park, Rockdale, West Highlands, Bankhead area?
I know it is currently in the “southwest” phrase but wasn’t sure what was next. Do you have a schedule of estimated expansion to link us too?
Thank you,
Andy
Hi Andy,
Yes, the Atlanta BeltLine will eventually run near the westside neighborhoods east of the old Bellwood Quarry. This section will not begin design for several years, however, the next trails that are in design are Southside Trail (from University Avenue to Glenwood Avenue) and the Northeast Trail (from I-75/85 to Monroe Drive.)
Hope this helps!
JR
JR, thanks for all your answers here. Really enjoying the trail, especially the Westside.
Glad to hear that! Thanks for your comment.
-JR
Is there a map of how the Silver Comet is proposed to connect to the Beltline?
Hi Jack –
That connection is an outside initiative, but here is the proposed map by the Connect the Comet group: http://test.connectthecomet.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/ConnectComet_Vision-Map.pdf
Best,
JR
Hi, I would also like to know of any plans to connect Capitol. View Gateway/ to the Beltline are in the works. At one point, there was a spur trail shown on maps with entrance at Dill Ave, new Division St, but there basnt been any development.
Hello George:
Right now ABI has no immediate plans for a spur trail; however, that area is under study for light rail transit with the Federal Transportation Authority. More details will be provided as they become available.
Hope that helps!
Jr
How close is the Westside Beltline to Grove Park community and where is an entrance? Thanks
Hello – the Westside Trail does not currently reach the area near Grove Park. However, future plans for expansion include the trail going by Maddox Park up past Bellwood Quarry. More details on accessibility would be refined in the design process.
Thanks!
JR
I hope to be moving into the Capital View Gateway Sr apartments at Murphy Ave and Dill Rd. The above map shows some activity for this area, but I don’t see any “movement” or construction. What are the plans for this area
Hi Ms. Carol,
Thank you for your comment. The Gateway Capitol View apartments are now taking names for the waiting list. Please call Michelle Osborn, Community Manager, Gateway Capitol View, at 404-753-0073. Please leave a message with your name, phone number, and interest in Gateway Capitol View.
Best,
Jr
Thank you JR. I have already been in touch with Ms Osborn and have started the application process. My question though is will there be any Beltline related projects close to the apartments. Any trails, new eateries,shops etc. or will most of it be near the Donnelly Ave area?
I tried to cross White St and pushed the button for flashing pedestrian lights and yet no cars stopped. They all whizzed through at about 40 mph. I suggest something else. Stop signs, raised intersection, etc. The only reason it’s not a big problem is that the trail basically ends here (no one knows how or wants to continue on that weird West End Trail thing between the disconnect).
What kind of transit is being considered behind “Warehouse Row?” Is there a timetable being considered, I heard it might be a trolly car system. It seems to be a nice walking and biking trail now. Lights would be a plus.
Hello Bob,
The work we have done to date to advance transit on the BeltLine with the Federal Transit Administration is for streetcar/light rail, the same technology as the downtown Atlanta Streetcar loop.
Thanks for the question!
Jr
When is the belt line scheduled to be worked on in Ormewood Park?
Hi Lisa,
The Southside Trail, which runs alongside Ormewood Park, is currently in the design phase. We completed a round of community engagement earlier this year, and we’ll come back out for more community meetings when design has advanced. You can see the past presentations here: https://beltline.org/progress/progress/construction-progress/southside-trail/
When is the belt line scheduled to be worked on in Ormewood Park?
Hi Lisa,
The Southside Trail, which runs alongside Ormewood Park, is currently in the design phase. We completed a round of community engagement earlier this year, and we’ll come back out for more community meetings when design has advanced. You can see the past presentations here: https://beltline.org/progress/progress/construction-progress/southside-trail/
Hello, is the Beltline accessible from Centennial Olympic Park?
Hi Octavia, Thanks for your question – the BeltLine runs around the city but not through downtown. However, once the Atlanta Streetcar has been expanded to the Eastside and Westside Trails, you will be able to connect to Centennial Olympic Park by way of the BeltLine.
Hope that helps!
Jr
Hello, is the Beltline accessible from Centennial Olympic Park?
Hi Octavia, Thanks for your question – the BeltLine runs around the city but not through downtown. However, once the Atlanta Streetcar has been expanded to the Eastside and Westside Trails, you will be able to connect to Centennial Olympic Park by way of the BeltLine.
Hope that helps!
Jr
To confirm, the closest trail to Mason Turner Rd is the Westside Trail, correct? Will there be any paths added to help connect the community to this trail?
Yes, the southern end of Mayson Turner runs near Lena Street, which leads to the current northern end of the Westside Trail. The PATH Foundation’s Lionel Hampton Trail connects the Washington Park neighborhood to the Westside Trail along Lena Street.
Will the Beltline connect to Ashview heights? If so, which streets have access? Are there any lights on the trail?
Hi Niya – yes, Ashview Heights is connected to the Westside Trail. You can get on the trail through the greenspace at Fenwood and Holderness Streets or through the cul-de-sac on Napoleon Drive.
Enjoy!
Jenny
What is the closest beltline entry point from West Midtown, for example from Westside Provisions District? Is it anywhere nearby? Thank you.
Hi Rita – the Atlanta BeltLine is only planned through that area at this point. You’re in between two trails there – the Westside Trail (you can start at Washington Park) and the Northside Trail (you can start off of Collier Road). You can read more about them here: https://beltline.org/visit/trails/
Thanks!
Jenny
When will the Westside trail extend north to Maddox Park?
Hi Ben – we don’t have a timeline yet on that stretch.
~Jenny
Will the beltline ever connect to the Decatur area?
Hi John,
The Atlanta BeltLine Eastside Trail connects to Decatur via the Stone Mountain PATH.
Thanks!
Jenny
What’s the best way to get from the Eastside trail to the Westside trail? (preferably by scooter). Thanks.
Hi Jamie,
The Southside Trail is the connecting trail between the two, but isn’t quite open yet. The surface is also railroad gravel, so wouldn’t work with a scooter. You could take a look on google maps to see what cross-streets connect the two.
Thanks!
Jenny
Now that we’re a little over 2 years since this article was written, have there been any updates to the plans for that Westside interim trail?
I was under the impression that ABI had acquired some of the private property along that narrow section, making it possible to widen the right of way and install the trail connection. Is that true? If so, when would potential design/construction happen for that section?
Hi Dominic, there haven’t been any changes to that segment yet. We plan to take next steps when building transit.
Thanks!