Longtime Atlanta BeltLine observers and general fans of alternate transportation have reason to rejoice this week: Traveling from the edge of Grant Park to the southern rim of Buckhead entirely on paved and protected multi-use pathways—avoiding streets altogether—is now possible.

That’s thanks to a small but important new trail the BeltLine has declared officially open, bringing down locked fences in recent days.

The BeltLine piece in question is the first phase of the Northeast Trail’s Segment 1. Previously called the Carriage Trail, it connects to paved pathways around Piedmont Park's meadows and wends up beside the Atlanta Botanical Garden to points north, alongside the banks of Clear Creek.

Immediately north, the Carriage Trail section now links to the Northeast Trail piece that debuted to great fanfare last fall. 

The Northeast Trail's Segment 1 (in purple) is being implemented in three phases; the recently opened Carriage Trail is at top. Atlanta BeltLine Inc.

Overview of the new pathway near Atlanta Botanical Garden. Josh Green/Urbanize Atlanta

Opened ahead of its initial construction schedule, phase one replaces what used to be a cracked, asphalt path beside the creek. It provides a lighted, landscaped, and smoother connection with security cameras between Midtown and destinations such as Ansley Mall, the Armour District, and south Buckhead. The BeltLine reports that all components have been installed.

But heads up: Temporary barriers do remain, in places, while BeltLine crews await permanent handrails that will help protect patrons from a steep ledge.

The paved section means BeltLine patrons in the area won’t have to detour onto an interim gravel trail in Piedmont Park as Segment 1 construction continues.

New plantings installed beside the Northeast Trail Segment 1's initial phase. Josh Green/Urbanize Atlanta

Meanwhile, along Segment 1’s second phase from near Piedmont Park’s dog parks to Park Tavern, work on grading, wall installation, and stormwater continues, but trail installation has yet to begin.

Phase three includes pedestrian safety upgrades at the intersection of 10th Street and Monroe Drive; permits for that work have been applied for as logistics for minimizing traffic impacts are fine-tuned and BeltLine officials meet with neighborhood groups.  

All three pieces of Segment 1 through Piedmont Park remain on schedule to be completed sometime this fall, the BeltLine reports.

In the gallery above, find a photo tour illustrating how the first finished BeltLine section of 2024 turned out. 

An updated map showing planning and construction status of all trail segments around the 22-mile BeltLine loop. The Northeast Trail segments in question are shown at top right. Atlanta BeltLine Inc.

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