A winding dirt trail leads through a lush green forest, surrounded by tall trees and dense undergrowth. Sunlight filters through the leaves, creating a serene and inviting atmosphere. Southside Park mountain bike trail.
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Tags:
Level: Beginner
Length: 7 mi (11.3 km)
Surface: Singletrack
Configuration: Loop
Elevation: +104/ -126 ft
Total: 38 riders
 

Mountain Biking Southside Park

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#18 of 402 mountain bike trails in Georgia
#435 in the world

Southside Park in Atlanta, Georgia, offers beginner-friendly and advanced mountain bike trails with about 7 miles of singletrack laid out in a stacked loop design. It's perfect for those new to the sport and for quick after work rides. The trail features gentle elevation changes with a mix of smooth dirt paths and forested sections, offering a fun ride without being too demanding. The advanced loop features challenging rock sections that require pedaling.

The trail is purpose-built for mountain biking, making it a great spot for practice. There are no restrooms or water on-site, so be prepared before you head out. It's ranked as one of the top trails in Georgia, making it a popular go-to for bikers around Atlanta.

First added by Jeff Barber on May 18, 2017. Last updated Dec 5, 2024. → add an update
Before you go
  • Drinking water: no
  • Lift service: no
  • Night riding: unknown
  • Pump track: unknown
  • Restrooms: no
  • Fat bike grooming: unknown
  • E-bikes allowed: yes
  • Fee required: no
This trail information is user-generated. Help improve this information by suggesting a correction.
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Trail conditions

Good (Mar 20, 2024)
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Mountain Bike Trails Near Atlanta, Georgia

****
| 2 mi
***
Beginner | 1 mi
**
Beginner | 1 mi
***
Advanced | 1 mi

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Reviews

  • cdeanhix
    *****

    The Rock Garden Bypass has been completed on the advanced loop creating a new intermediate version which makes it a little more doable for this rider of advancing years, but the Rock Garden option is still there in all its glory. These are great trails and another great option for your neglected brothers and sisters who live on the less fashionable south side of the ATL. People are slowly discovering it, and there are plans for even more trails. Construction of a skills course is set to begin soon, or so I’m told.

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  • sadkata
    *****

    This is my go-to for a quick ride. I'm still a beginner but definitely getting better on the blue trail. Finally tried the new trail. I recall hearing that it had a lot of rock gardens. It's like a rock rain forest! Dirt is considered a feature. It's probably not much of a challenge for the non-beginner but I had quite a time getting through. Certainly a challenge to build up to. My biggest gripe about Southside Trail is having to cross a creek to get to the trail. Sometimes it can be pretty deep... at least for my liking.

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  • Louis Harris
    *****

    Finally got over to Southside park. I have to admit I didn't have much expectation for an intown park near a softball complex, but these trails are great! They have large section of the parking lot closed off it appears because some guys were doing donuts in the parking lot so there isn't a lot of parking. I went on a Sunday and there were about 8 cars there. To access the trails you head towards the north end of the parking lot. Once you come to the opening there is detailed map and signage marking the green and blue trail. The green trail is about 1.1 miles and going counter-clockwise has modest climb the first half. The last half is fast and windy and really fun. From there I hit the blue connector trail which is .5 miles. There is a cool creek crossing to access the blue trail(3 miles) I rode Sunday which is counter clockwise. The trail has a lot of flow, rock gardens, and a few alternate tech features. Going counter clockwise there is a really fast flow section towards the end. Kudos to MTB Atlanta for another fun trail system. There is also a black trail that looks like it is opening up soon.

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  • scottpatton44
    *****

    I like the variety. You have easy/fast/fun - and something more challenging, that can make you work on some skills and challenge your fitness. Easy to mix the trails up to go home having done a little of everything.

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  • FarmerDobes
    *****

    Sweet ITP singletrack. The green loop is a speed fest if you want it to be and the intermediate trail throws a good mix of flow and rocky stuff at you. The advanced trail that is currently under development is going to be a hoot; it's got plenty of elevation change and a hearty helping of rock features to challenge even the most seasoned rider. I'll be coming back for more on a regular basis for sure.

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  • dickeysezso
    *****

    Southside is a fun, challenging trail for all skill levels that's a short drive from the city. In March 2019, 3 mi of intermediate singletrack was added for a total of 5 mi. At the time of this review, MTB Atlanta is working on an additional ~ 2 mi of advanced trail to be complete in early 2020.

    Southside has a good mix of terrain. The Evergreen beginner loop is a nice warm up or good ride for beginners. The intermediate loop is great. A nice mix of terrain, lots of rocks, twisty turns, rock garden option lines. It's a lot of short ups and downs, no sustained climbing. No berms. No jumps. More old school tight singletrack.

    Parking is easy and free. The main entrance to the trail is located at the left side parking area by the black bike racks. To get to the intermediate loop, follow the signs. There's a wet are near the intermediate loop start that may require you to have to ford a few inches of water, but you're going the correct way. The large wooden bridge after the wet area is the only entrance/exit to the Intermediate trail loop.

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  • nycAdeel
    *****

    Haven't rode a bicycle in 25 years and started back up with this beginner MTB Trail. It was an awesome experience and thanks to the reviews I was prepared. Perfect for this beginner and I can't wait to go back and try to improve my time and take advantage of the few features (couple areas of rocks and small mounds).

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  • sadkata
    ****

    First time riding a trail in 20 years and this was a great one to get back into it. I'm terrible and this was plenty challenging for a dope like me with mashed potatoes for a core. If you're a beginner, this will do just fine for introducing you to minor obstacles.

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  • Slee_Stack
    ***

    I like SS park because its close (15 minutes!) and new. Obviously mileage is relatively short. I've ridden it twice. The Easy trail is probably the easiest beginner singletrack I've ever experienced. Not necessarily a bad thing as it would certainly give confidence to absolute beginning trail riders. The negative however is that it doesn't really work as a warm up. Maybe if you did 3 laps? It really is that flat and smooth.
    The intermediate trail is solid. Lots and lots of rock gardens from 1/3 to 2/3 through. If that isn't your thing, you may not like the trail overall.
    There is a plan for an advanced trail. I think whenever that gets down, this will become a regular ride just because of proximity. Inside Atlanta is tough for any trails of length. Sope Creek just has too much limitation with parking fee, a zoo of runners, and a speed limit. Its fantastic to see alternatives beginning to crop up.

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  • catdaddy
    ****

    The Intermediate and Connector trails opened earlier this year (2019) for MTB and Trail Running. Total posted trail length is now 5.25.

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  • Jeff Barber
    ****

    This is a nice trail system with a decent amount of variety. Lots of rocks to ride over and play on, and some fast sections to smash like the beginner loop. Directional based on the day of the week.

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  • Brandon G

    A good basic trail, but relatively worthless as a destination. It reminds me of what you'd expect to connect a parking lot and a proper trail. Looking forward to some added sections. If there are trail building days, I'd definitely volunteer.

    The proximity to town is nice, and it would be great to see an expansion or integration with the Prison farm, Lake Charlotte, and Constitution Lakes.

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  • Andre Brooks
    ****

    Great little trail. It was a great place to test my bike for the first time.

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  • terafunker
    *****

    Fantastic little gem right north of the airport. Quiet, easy parking, and short but great all-around beginner trail that's still plenty of fun for the more experienced.

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  • Deedz
    ****

    Great little trail that no one seems to know about. A bit rocky in places and could use a little clean up as there's some broken glass on the trail, but otherwise, a fun ride for beginners.

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  • ***

    Fun little Trail with a quick 2 mile loop. Small gravel, rocks, and roots dot an otherwise pretty smooth trail. Flows in a few places, but mostly tighter more winding trail.

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