Suwanee Greenbelt

Maybe I’m a bit too literal… but when I hear the word «green» in a phrase or a name referring to a park or outside area, I’m kind of expecting some major green space in the middle of nowhere where I can disconnect from modern civilization.
That’s why the «Green“belt lost a star.
I was disappointed that I never quite dropped off of the map. No matter how far I got along the trails, I could always hear and/​or see the traffic. Something else that I wasn’t expecting was to be so close to housing developments. There are times that you are walking right alongside them. I was surprised that no one else that reviewed this area mentioned it, but it’s kind of a biggie for me. And call me nuts, but I hate, HATE gnats. Lots of pools of stagnant water and marshy murkiness, so they were out full force around 6:00pm.
Don’t get me wrong — I did have a good time. I decided to go for a walk, thinking that this would be a down and back 4-​mile each way trip, starting at Suwanee Creek Park. THREE HOURS AND FORTY-​FIVE MINUTES LATER, I made it back to my car. I had walked almost 13 miles. Chalk the additional steps up to a) getting «lost,» and b) bullheaded «this trail has to end somewhere and I’m going to see where» curiosity. There were a handful of times that the trail just… stopped, or split, but no signage was around to point THE way. I actually ended up walking not just the Greenbelt, but all three parks that connect to it as well.
Bottom line, then. Would I come again? Absolutely. The fact that it’s closer than Stone Mountain Park — and longer, round trip — makes this a great place for me to get my sweat on. I would definitely bring head phones next time, to drown out the traffic, come earlier in the day, as well as bring something to munch on. Oh, and insect repellent.
Curse you, gnats.

We make use of the Suwanee Creek Greenway every few weeks. I like that you can chose sub-​segments and there is usually parking readily available. You can visit the south end if you like hills /​trees, or the north end if you want to check out the pond /​swamp type ecosystem. We haven’t biked on it lately, but that is also a good option.

Quickly becoming one of my favorite biking trails, i’m kinda into the greenway. I usually get started at the 0.7 mile marker, which is near the starting point of Suwanee Creek park, and it goes, and goes, and goes, or it seems like it does as you see the boardwalks stretch as far as the eye can see, or more specifically, just under 5 miles one way… adding a few miles here and there if you explore the parks on either side of the trail
The trail runs through a marshy area, parallels a lovely creek below you, finds itself underneath, and alongside McGinnis Ferry, stretching all the way to the «end» at George Pierce park. But don’t let that scare you, because there are a couple of parking areas/​hubs where you can catch a restroom break along the way. Also hoping to ease some fears, the trail is relatively flat, with a few inclines here and there, but nothing that’ll have your thighs on fire after completing it
I’d definitely recommend going AFTER it’s rained pretty heavily, because the entire trail comes to life, and it’s pretty common to hear and see frogs, turtles, ducks, families of deer, and a marsh that looks, well, marshy
It may be a «me» thing, but I love the sound the boardwalk wood makes as my bike goes over it, sorta a cracking sound, but don’t let me paint the picture of a derelict trail, because several parts of the boardwalk trail have been replaced and repaired over the last few weeks to get rid of any rotting wood. As for the paved trails, some of the cleanest i’ve seen anywhere. It really does look like you’re nowhere near Suwanee.
As beautiful as it is, just know that on the weekends and afternoons the trail tends to get pretty congested with bikers, walk and runners, several dog walkers, etc. It’s gorgeous and well worth the time invested!

There are a lot of fit people who run this at all hours of the day. On top of that I have increasingly seen more and more competitive Frisbee people utilizing the target course. They tend to be obese, but always look like they are having fun.
I run the trail from the .3 mile mark (0-.3 is extra hilly and not suitable for running) and go all the way down to where the grade school is. It ends up being over 11km RT.
The deer have been increasing in population and sometimes I will turn a corner and one will be right in front of me. It is pretty cool.
The wooden portions do get quite slippery after the rain, if not completely submerged after a big storm. I have skidded a back tire and fallen off of my bike before. That hurt, and was very humbling for someone my age! Be forewarned they really do get slick and your tires will skid on them.
Overall this is one of my favorite aspects of Suwanee. I come here often.

This is a great place to run, walk, bike, and just enjoy being outdoors. The main greenway trail is mostly wooded and paved. The sections that are wooden platforms have non-​slip pads on top of them to help runners and walkers in wet conditions.
Starting at Suwanee Creek Park you can do a good 7.5 — 8 mile loop that will take you right in to Suwanee Square, and it’s a really nice run. Every time I have been on the trail, usually on Sunday mornings, there have been plenty of people, but I’ve never found it to be overcrowded.

It’s awesome and very well maintained.

i love it when i find one of these places. it’s a long, well maintained walking/​biking/​running, etc pathway that meanders through the forest and marshes of suwanee. parks with pavillions and restrooms are spaced throughout and wildlife is common.
full of people exercising. death to fatness!!!