East Palisades Trail

The East Palisades Trail showcases the Chattahoochee River’s most dramatic scenery within Atlanta’s city limits. The trail climbs through forests of oak and hickory to rocky overlooks perched high above the river, where you can watch kayakers navigating the shoals far below. Unique features include a dense bamboo forest—remnants of an old homestead—that creates an almost tropical atmosphere, and shoreline access points perfect for wading on hot summer days. The trail’s roller-coaster terrain of steep descents and climbs provides a genuine workout, while multiple loop options allow hikers to customize their adventure. Arrive early on summer weekends when the parking lot fills quickly with river tubers and paddlers.