Big Creek Greenway — Attraction in Alpharetta

This is a great trail! I've walked the length of it (over 7 miles) in various segments. It's 8-feet wide most of the way and paved (except for some boardwalk on the Big Creek Park side), which is wonderful for those of us who push a stroller. There's a yellow line down the middle to help folks stay on their side. The vast majority is through the woods and shaded, which makes for a cooler walk/run/bike in the summer. Bikers definitely do not obey the 15-mph speed limit (do they make speedometers for bikes??), so if you're walking, running and/or have children with you, I would try to avoid the busy times -- weekends and after 5pm on weekdays. Although the trail pretty closely parallels Big Creek, I would say most of the time you can't see it due to trees or thickets between you and the creek. We have seen wildlife though: deer, squirrels, bunnies, butterflies, turtles, toads, snakes (including Copperheads), lizards and lots of birds. It's quite swampy along the greenway so if you're walking, make sure to wear insect repellent during the mosquito months, and of course carry water with you. There are many access points (trailheads) but only 3 with designated restrooms: Big Creek Park, the entrance just past 6800 North Point Pkwy and Rock Mill Park. The entrance off Haynes Bridge Rd across from Avana North Point Apartments has 1 porta potty, and I'm guessing you could probably use the restrooms at both the North Point Community Church and the Ed Isakson YMCA if you needed to. Both non-profits have nearby trailheads. There are some fast-food restaurants near the entrance at AMC Classic Mansell Crossing 14 (cinema.) The other access points that don't have stairs are either in residential neighborhoods or next to private businesses. I haven't explored the couple of spots with stairs due to having a...

If you've heard of the beltline in Atlanta, this hidden gem is the exact same thing, just in the Alpharetta/Forsyth County area. It's a huge loop, around 9 or so miles total. I have an electric scooter and ride the loop all the time. The loop itself is paved with smooth concrete, but there are plenty of unpaved nature trails that branch off that you can explore as well. There are also sections for pedestrians only. And if you enjoy seeing wildlife you're in for a treat. There are deer everywhere. I mean everywhere. It's amazing. And throughout the loop, the belt has outlets that allow you to access different parts of the surrounding town outside the beltline, like strip-malls, main highway, fast food places etc. When you're done, just hop right back on the beltline. Part of the walking trails on the beltline also runs along a creek, where you'll find benches perfect for meditating and centering yourself, just being out in nature. I'm not a huge fan of the people who frequent the beltline, most of them are snobbish Alpharetta Karen's who spend most of their time asking for the manager when they go out to eat. But I can't fault the Greenway itself just because terrible...

Big Creek Greenway is beautiful. Bridges go over Big Creek, and the deer (dusk and dawn) will watch you, but as long as you don't try to approach them won't run off quickly. If you burn easy, use sunscreen because there are areas along the paths that don't have much if any shade. Great for walking, riding bicycles, and I have seen skate boards and regular skates. Nice walk for the whole family as it is all concrete ( main trail), there are some mountain bicycle trails that are dirt. A few paths have wooden boards and it used to have a few spots off the main trail that was covered with gravel. Many different places to enter the Greenway and several...