Export to Trail Guide
Create Guidebook 
Download GPX 
Print Friendly MapOverview
Outdoors enthusiasts often fall for the Columbus Fall Line Trace on their first visit. The paved, mostly flat 10.5-mile rail trail runs from the outskirts of Columbus to the Chattahoochee Riverwalk, a promenade that follows the river through the historic downtown area.
The trail is part of the 33.5-mile Dragonfly Trails system, a growing network of interconnected trails that will eventually cover 60 miles. Because the dragonfly indicates clean water, the name symbolizes the efforts to clean up pollution in the Chattahoochee River. Today the river is a popular tourist draw as an urban whitewater course and for its adjacent river walk.
About the Route
Leaving off from the northern endpoint of the trail along Psalmond Road in northeast Columbus, which has about a dozen parking spaces. Passing beneath a brick archway, the trail proceeds through a woodsy area and arrives at a popular fishing hole at Flat Rock Park. Soon after, the trail reaches the developed outskirts of Columbus, a line of trees screens the trail until nearly mile 4.8, where Manchester Expressway/GA 85 runs alongside.
In another mile, the trail arrives at a large rest area with parking, restrooms, drinking water, and a bike shop. Next comes the bustling Columbus State University campus, founded in 1958. After another 1.5 miles, the trail starts to run adjacent to various city streets as it makes its way into downtown. Along the way, trail users can check out the redeveloped industrial area of Midcity Yards (located on the short stretch of trail paralleling Fifth Avenue, just before 14th Street), which features a brewery, a barbecue restaurant, and shops.
Finishing the last leg on 14th Street, the trail passes the site of the Civil War Battle of Columbus and a plaque for the Columbus pharmacist who whipped up the formula for Coca-Cola. Just past this, the trail comes to its southern end along the Chattahoochee River.
Connections
At the southern end of the trail in Columbus, the Columbus Fall Line Trace connects to the Chattahoochee Riverwalk.
Trail History
The Fall Line Trace is named after Georgia’s so-called fall line, the transition between the hilly Piedmont of northern Georgia and the Upper Coastal Plain in the south. The drop in elevation energizes the Chattahoochee River, and entrepreneurs once harnessed that power to operate the gristmills and textile mills that made this city on the Georgia–Alabama border an industrial center of the South in the 19th century.
The trail follows a former corridor of the Central of Georgia Railway, one of the railroads that—coupled with commerce on the Chattahoochee—made Columbus a transportation hub. The Norfolk Southern Railway eventually acquired the railroad, and the city bought the disused rail line and opened the trail in 2011.
The Columbus Fall Line Trace runs between 7324 Psalmond Rd (Midland) and the Chattahoochee Riverwalk (Columbus).
Parking is also available at:
Please see the TrailLink Map for all parking options and detailed directions.
This trail is also appropriately called the Dragonfly Trail.. Our ride started off a bit shaky as we were looking for clear markers of where the Columbus Fall Line Trace intersected with the Chattahoochee Riverwalk. After asking a few locals who kept mentioning he Dragonfly Trail, we finally realized that the Columbus Fall Line Trace and Dragonfly Trail are one in the same. From there we were able to locate the starting point near the Pedestrian Bridge on 14th street. The trail has convenient (green) path markings on the ground and addition signs on street lights/posts which includes mile markers. The trail was not very busy which made our ride much more enjoyable as we didn’t have to dodge people or pets.. It crossed several busy streets at the beginning however each crossing had pedestrian light buttons and clear marking on the ground. Once we got past the downtown area around 6th street and Piedmont Hospital the trail was more quiet and wooded. There is another busy section around Columbus State University but again the street lights are very helpful. The rest of the trail up to Flat Rock Park was a great and peaceful ride. We didn’t go all the way to the end but will plan to include the last 2 miles on our next trip..
I skate this trail regularly and I also run it. It’s great for both. It’s nearly flat the entire route which is awesome for a nice fitness skate session. There’s also steady foot traffic and bikers, even in the more remote areas, so one won’t feel too isolated. That matters to me as a woman. I park at Flat Rock Park and from there, you have immediate access. As for skating, the pavement is excellent. Little to no roots or cracks and generous width. Just be mindful of the change in texture on bridges, road crossing entrances and the leaf litter and walnuts in the fall. Lol
This is such a hidden gem! Just 15 mins from our new home in Columbus, the trail is clean, quiet and well kept. We rode an out and back from Psalmond Road, about 10 miles total. Had a decent amount of shade and the road was flat, for the most part. I can’t wait to come back and do the entire trail!
I spent 3 days in Columbus Aug 7-9, and finally got to ride this whole trail, plus roads through town to the Riverwalk. Very nice and enjoyable, cars stopped at several crossings for me (which I am not used to), and generally I was respected as another vehicle when I was on the road. I never felt threatened in any way, it is safer than many store parking lots. Thank you for this great amenity! When we come back, (Dr visit) I will be bringing my bike again!
The pavement on this trail is generally smoother than downtown roads and much of the Riverwalk. However there are lots of rough spots that can trip a novice-class inline skater like myself. I've skated from Flat Rock Park to Psalmond Road and back a couple of times and I've completed a one-way from Flat Rock Park to the Train Station Burger King at the Peachtree Mall area. The later trip involves a 95 foot net elevation drop according to Google Earth and the same source shows the distance as 4.66 miles. From FRP to Psalmond Road is 1.3 miles and is 2.6 for the down and back. The asphalt to concrete junctions vary from well-meshed to quite rough, especially on the first bridge east of FRP. I skate with typical 80mm wheels and have had some trouble with rough spots so I may follow the trend to 110 or 125mm tri-skates for smoothing out the ride. I've fallen only twice and both times were on the rough pavement of the street crossings, once at Reese Road and once at nearby University Avenue. Fatigue probably played a part in the falls but the pavement is tricky. The trail uses yellow bump panels at the approaches to the crossings that are not inline skate friendly but the asphalt out in the road is more of a hazard.
Rode the Fall Line Trace for the first time with my 4-year old daughter and it was awesome! Rode between Hilton Ave. and Columbus State University. Shady, flat, perfect! Bravo!
I have used this trail many times. I do agree that there are too many busy intersections to cross. Some areas where the trail are located can be a bit sketchy. But overall the trail serves its purpose.
I've ridden over 1,000 miles on the River Walk and Fall Line Trace since May of 2016. I have never had one instance of feelin in danger. I'm 66 years old and have had nothing but great experiences. Put that in your pipe and smoke it!
very nice and good workout if you head west from Cooper Creek Tennis Center. however heading east there are too many road crossings, very bad signage. The trail goes through an impoverished area that appears to be dangerous with many boarded houses and businesses.
My son and I started riding at the Columbus Bike Shop (which is located on the trail) and rode the trail North all the way to the North parking lot at the other end. A neat long bridge over I185 and several more bridges along the way. All very scenic. There are a few streets to cross before you get to the long runs but love the 'press the button' and traffic stops immediately when there is a street to cross. Thats a nice feature. This is a smooth paved ride with gradual up hill, down hill grades. Some long straightaways for max speed if needed. From the bike shop to the end and back is 14.75 miles.
Did not do the 'thru Columbus' part of the trail as its mixed with lots of 'to much city and vehicle traffic'. We relocated the bikes to ride the trail along the river. It starts downtown on the East side of the Chatahoochee. Very scenic and nicely done. Lots of gradual uphills going North along the river. The ride is scenic with grand views of the river and rock formations. Am planning on doing the trail South along the river to Fort Benning another day and will report on that ride soon.
Today I rode full line trays for the first time from start to finish. As much of a great ride as it was and beautiful scenery, it was hard to find parts of the trail as to where they cut off go into the city of Columbus and start back up. If you're not familiar with this trail it is pretty hard to navigate. There needs to be clear signs that point to where the trails are and that way writers runners and walkers using the trails have a better understanding of where these things are located.
Have ridden many trails across Florida and Georgia and find this one poor to average. Way too many street and highway crossings. Hard to keep a steady pace and get a good workout when you have to slow down or stop at every turn. Also much of the trail runs through commercial/industrial areas as well as the seedier parts of Columbus. On a scale of 1-10 I'd rate it a 3.
Great trail.Columbus is lucky to have such a nice trail.Road it twice during the ga bike fest and loved it
It's good for experiencing the historic district of Columbus to its outskirts. However, I would not go without a side arm on any part of the trail. Get your carry license and carry openly. I had a CPD officer thank me for carrying openly. Go out and have fun with your family and let the bad guys know you are ready.
I rode this trail with my family today, September 7, 2015 and was robbed at gun point in the early afternoon. This took place right near Hilton Avenue about 200 yards in to our ride. Do not ride this trail, definitely do not bring your family there. Cars are being broken in to along the trail and now people are being held up here as well. It is not safe and people need to be aware of the danger on this trail.
Do you enjoy walking with 800-1200 other people through a busy and often dangerous city? The trail head car-park is often so overcrowded cars park all along the roadside because all the parking spaces are taken. Crosses through Flatrock Park (only about 600-700 people there at any given time). A completely unpleasant experience. If you like noisy, crowded cityscapes go for it.
Just finished the whole trail its the best, pretty level and well paved its 24 miles total took me 2 hours. started at the parking area across from the mall really enjoyed it crossed over several bridges and small roads, would highly recommend it, this trail should be in the RAIL-TRAILS SOUTHEAST TRAIL BOOK, WHY ISINT IT ????
A friend and I went for a bike ride yesterday morning and parked her car at the park and ride location on Manchester expressway across from legacy Chevrolet. We left about 10 am and parked in plain sight of the store that rents bikes at this location. We returned about 11:30 and the girl inside the bike store noted that a paseser-byer on the trail said that our car had been broken into! They were correct and my friend's purse was stolen, wallet included. Of course we had to file a police report and the police stated this was not the first time that this type of incident has happened. The officer stated that they have had SEVERAL problems with car break-ins in this particular location and where the trail ends on Psalmond Rd. The girl that worked in the bike store was very apologetic and sweet but it wasn't her fault that it happened and she missed it. Just beware of the situation and the fact that either of these locations do NOT have cameras to record your vehicles. We enjoyed the trail and everyone was so nice but just thought I should share since this has happened several times before.
Easy, flat ride; great for kids and families. Parking area for this Trail that is across from Peachtree Mall has bikes for rent, restrooms and a playground.
Directions for getting onto the trail from my home were very poor. Took me all the way downtown instead of the nearest parking location to my home.
Outstanding, Excellent, wonderful, delightful...
TrailLink is a free service provided by Rails-to-Trails conservancy
(a non-profit) and we need your support!
