Greenway Loop

Alpharetta is a vibrant city located in northern Fulton County, Georgia, approximately 26 miles north of downtown Atlanta.  The City experiences a humid subtropical climate, characterized by hot summers and mild winters. Hiking in Alpharetta is a mix of scenic paved greenways, forested trails, and riverfront paths, making it perfect for both casual walkers and outdoor enthusiasts. While the area doesn’t have mountainous terrain, it offers a variety of well-maintained trails through nature preserves, wetlands, and wooded areas.  Most trails are relatively flat, making them great for beginners, families, and casual hikers.

The Big Creek Greenway is a 12-foot wide concrete path that meanders through the deciduous woods along Big Creek. The greenway is used by walkers, joggers, and bikers – although dirt bike trails are located on the east side of the creek 2/5 mile south of Webb Bridge Road.  This hike near Big Creek uses a portion of the concrete greenway and a portion of the dirt walking trail to complete a 1.5 mile loop. There are a few access points to the trail, but we used the Mansell Road/North Point Mall trailhead which sits behind the Haverty’s Furniture. It is easy to miss so watch carefully for a sign near the entrance.  The dirt portion of the route is much less heavily used than the paved trail. Both follow a series of streams in a ravine that is surrounded by corporate buildings and retail stores. Yet even in the winter months, you don’t really notice the suburbs that are very active above. The forest is heavily wooded and sits low enough that it is well insulated from the commerce near North Point Mall.