The Silver Comet Trail
The Silver Comet is a paved pedestrian rail-trail located 13 miles northwest of Atlanta, Georgia. It is 61.5 miles long, free of charge, and travels through Cobb, Paulding, and Polk counties. This quiet, non-motorized trail is for walkers, hikers, bicyclists, rollerbladers, horses, dog walkers, and is mostly wheelchair accessible.
The Silver Comet starts at the Mavell Road Trailhead in Smyrna, Georgia, and it ends at the Georgia/Alabama state line near Cedartown and the Esom Hill Trailhead. At the Georgia/Alabama state line, the Silver Comet Trail connects to the 33-mile long Chief Ladiga Trail. Both the Silver Comet and Chief Ladiga are fully paved rail-trails built on abandoned railroad lines. The combined Silver Comet and Chief Ladiga trail length is estimated to be 94.5 paved miles from Smyrna, Georgia to Anniston, Alabama.
- Silver Comet Map - interactive map for this site, lists trailheads, directions, and facts
- TrailLink, Rails-to-Trails Conservancy - US trail database lookup with descriptions
- Path Foundation - important non-profit helping to create trail systems in Georgia
Future Plans of the Silver Comet
There are several plans underway that will join the eastern end of the Silver Comet Trail to a larger trail network within Cobb County and beyond. A series of trails will connect the Silver Comet to northern Cobb County, Cherokee County, the Chattahoochee River, the Atlanta Beltline, and eventually other routes throughout the Georgia trail system.
- Cobb County trail system - extensive network, active & planned trail maps
- PATH Foundation trail map - PATH trails in metro Atlanta and Georgia
- Atlanta Beltline Interactive Map - parks and trails
The Chief Ladiga will extend an additional 6.5-miles into Anniston, Alabama allowing access to the Amtrak station and a possible return route to Atlanta and other cities along the Amtrak line.* Eventually Georgia and Alabama will connect to neighboring states and become part of an extensive interconnected national trail network.
* Check with Amtrak first to see if they can accommodate bikes on the train and at the train stations.
Connecting Local Communities to the National Trail Network
Imagine a bright future where a pedestrian interconnected trail system laces its way throughout the United States eventually connecting local communities to the rest of the nation. Not only does this trail network provide a delightful way for individuals to stay fit and enjoy life, but also it allows for an energy-efficient way to commute and travel. Construction for an interconnected trail system throughout Georgia and the nation is underway, and it is impressive.
- Helpful Interactive National Map - TrailLink & the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy
- drag & zoom to see Cobb, Atlanta, & Georgia trails - pin icons provide more information
