Home › Georgia › Atlanta › Palisades West Trail
Palisades West Trail
4.7 ★★★★★ 224 Google reviews · Running trail in Atlanta, Georgia · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Mixed
- Loop distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Loop
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Palisades West Trail's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
Forested loop trail featuring a boardwalk section & scenic views of the river & rock outcrops.
What runners say about Palisades West Trail
“Very clean and well kept, abundant convenient parking, the main trail in shades of trees for its entire distance.”
“I came to this trail 👣 for the first time and I love it, lots of trees and not a lot of people (on a Monday afternoon), great views of Chattahoochee River.”
“There are a couple variations of loops that are well marked at all intersections and some have decent elevation change for the area.”
This place is stupendous. A fresh aroma of plants, countless birds, vivid views, absolutely one of my most favorite places on this planet. Very clean and well kept, abundant convenient parking, the main trail in shades of trees for its entire distance. The pictures have been snapped along the trail.
There are plenty of parking spaces, no fee is required. The trail is not easy on some sections if you decide to take the entire trail, be careful about gravel roads, could be slippery when wet.
Absolutely loved the views while hiking. Loved to see people jumping into the water. Everything gorgeous. Will definitely visit again! Wasnt crowded at all when I went. Easy parking. Restrooms available and also life jackets!
Palisades West Trail was nice to go for a two hour walk. I accessed the trail by car from Akers Mills Rd. The trail winds down to the Chattahoochee river and the trail was well marked.
Trail conditions & character
“I came to this trail 👣 for the first time and I love it, lots of trees and not a lot of people (on a Monday afternoon), great views of Chattahoochee River.”
“Very clean and well kept, abundant convenient parking, the main trail in shades of trees for its entire distance.”
“Along the river there are sections where you have to climb up or down over boulders because of the elevator change but it was not too difficult.”
“Lots of parking, bathrooms on the trail, and less traffic than the other side of the river.”
“The trail is not easy on some sections if you decide to take the entire trail, be careful about gravel roads, could be slippery when wet.”
“Picking up where Rottonwood Creek Trail ends, this nature trail just goes in one big loop.”
“There are a couple variations of loops that are well marked at all intersections and some have decent elevation change for the area.”
Plan your run at Palisades West Trail
The practical stuff
- AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
- SurfaceMixed — more than one surface along the route, so check the segment you plan to run
- DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- At the trailheadparking, restrooms — reported by runners
- Websitenps.gov
- Social Instagram · Facebook
Hours
| Monday | 7 am–6 pm |
| Tuesday | 7 am–6 pm |
| Wednesday | 7 am–6 pm |
| Thursday | 7 am–6 pm |
| Friday | 7 am–6 pm |
| Saturday | 7 am–6 pm |
| Sunday | 7 am–6 pm |
Running trails near Atlanta
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
Bamboo Forest
4.6 ★★★★★ 137 reviews
Hiking spot with woods featuring dense groves of bamboo and scenic river views.
East Palisades Unit - Indian Trail
4.7 ★★★★★ 764 reviews
Popular hiking area with a scenic, 3.4-mile trail through a dense woodland, plus a bamboo forest.
Cochran Shoals Unit - Interstate North
4.7 ★★★★★ 455 reviews
Easy, wide trail following the Chattahoochee River, plus ponds.
Bob Callan Trailhead
4.8 ★★★★★ 77 reviews
Paved hiking trail along a creek with opportunities to rent bikes and fish.
Cochran Shoals Trail - River Loop
4.8 ★★★★★ 588 reviews
Riverside park featuring a mix of trails for hiking and biking, plus picnic space.