Big Creek Greenway — Local services in Alpharetta

This is one of the best kept secrets for nature lovers, walkers, runners and bikers alike. The upper most point of the trail starts at Webb Bridge Road and following it south will take you all the way down to Old Alabama Road just off of Holcomb Bridge in Roswell. If you follow the entire trail up and back it is more than 20 miles!

The trail will take you past protected wetlands, open fields and covered canopies of old and young growth pines and deciduous trees.

The trail is typically not very busy during the cooler season, but this is probably the best time to go and see the trees change color from vibrant greens to orange, red, yellow and browns. There are several places to stop and rest, but bring plenty of water during the warm months as there are few places to stop and get water, but about halfway there is a facilities (M/W restrooms), water fountain, a few picnic tables and about 30 parking spaces. The stopping station is near the YMCA at North Point.

There are ponds to see indigenous water fowl of Georgia as well as muskrat, beaver and even some deer during certain times of the day. You're more likely to see the deer walking in the wetlands area as there is plenty of food for them to eat, but please do NOT feed the animals. They need to remain timid around humans for their own safety and protection, not to mention your safety too.

The trail is fairly wide along most of the trail and is paved from end to end so you can ride this with either a road or gentle rider touring bike. Kids will like it too as there are very few hills to deal with for the most part but if they get tired you can always walk. Stay on the trails as there is no off-road mountain biking in the parkway.

You can easily make a whole day excursion on the Greenway, you can either pack a picnic lunch or take one of the many side trails that will take you to places like North Point Mall. I prefer the picnic idea, a backpack with a small blanket, bottle of wine and some munchies. Enjoy the sun in one of the open fields and really soak up some local nature. You'll think that you're in the North Georgia Mountains, but just 12 miles north of the perimeter (I-285).

Enjoy! Happy Travels and...

I am a very experienced biker. Centuries, biathlons, long rides. Never had a crash or accident until Friday. Going slowly on the initial stage on the boardwalk, slippery when wet. This doesn’t accurately describe the danger level It’s as if the boardwalk is covered in grease. I wiped out, no Memory of what transpired. I knew it was wet so I controlled my speed, and kept straight lines. I’m in the hospital with six broken ribs and a punctured lung. There’s a huge hose in my chest. While I was laid out another rider crashed at the same time. This is inexcusable. The road by the boardwalk should have been blocked off. I love the Greenway but it is completely unsafe on the boardwalk when it’s moist. If I wasn’t wearing a helmet I would be dead for sure. Thankfully a walker saw me and called 911 and...

This is nice place for family and friends to spend good time together. Spring is almost here, big dogwood trees at road side are eager to show lives with flowers after long winter. In the summer, most of the section are covered.

The section from McFarland trailhead to Fowler Park section is about 4 miles. Boardwalk comprises most of the passage, it's been carefully maintained. The entire path is pretty flat, no elevation at all which makes it friendly to not only for regular walkers but also for kids, elders and bikers.

The parking lot at McFarland trailhead is very limited and elementary, same applies other trailheads, if you get there late, it's not uncommon that...