Spanning more than 60 miles, the Silver Comet Trail is a rather legendary stretch of pavement. The trail follows the path of a former passenger railway, and it runs from Smyrna to the Georgia-Alabama line through scenic stretches of forest, farmland and communities.

Once home to abandoned railroad tracks, the Silver Comet is now one of metro Atlanta's favorite outdoor destinations. The former rail trail is smooth, paved and wide, and its hills are few and gradual. It rarely intersects roads, making for a great, distraction-free distance run, bike or skate. It's scenic, too, diving between steep cut rock walls, tunneling under roads and catching elevated views from tall train trestles.

Explore the Silver Comet on these popular stretches of the trail in metro Atlanta. Need directions? Check out the Silver Comet Trail Map to plan your trip and find trailhead locations and amenities.

5k: Floyd Road to Concord Road

Run or skate a flat, fast 5k route from the Floyd Road trailhead, running east to Concord Road. You'll make only one road crossing on your run, and you'll catch some great midrun views from a long trestle bridge over Nickajack Creek.

8 miles: Mavell Road to Floyd Road

Ride westbound from the Silver Comet's main trailhead at Mavell Road. You'll start at the trail's mile marker zero, riding over a long metal bridge, tunneling through a deep-cut, rocky ravine and crossing Nickajack Creek over a trestle bridge. Turn around at Floyd Road to complete your ride, or take a quick snack break at Silver Comet Cycles before you head back to the trailhead.

32 miles: Floyd Road to the Tara Drummond Trailhead

Looking for a great distraction-free long distance ride? Skip the crowds at the often-busy Mavell Road trailhead and bike west from the Floyd Road trailhead instead. You'll ride through a variety of scenic terrain, crossing bridges, ducking through tunnels, and rolling through forest and between kudzu-covered hills.

Bike sales and rentals on the trail

Ready to ride the Silver Comet, but need a bike? Silver Comet Cycles at the Floyd Road trailhead offers bike rentals, upgrades and repair. It carries refreshments, too, making it a great after-workout stop. Or visit Boneshaker Bicycles in Powder Springs just off the Silver Comet Trail on Florence Road.

The trail can be crowded, especially on weekends, so follow good trail etiquette: Stay to the right, yield to pedestrians and don't block the trail. And although water fountains and restrooms are available at some trailheads, the fountains aren't always functional, so carry plenty of water.

More metro paved trails

Take a break from sidewalks with a run on Atlanta's best running trails. Or scope out some more scenic places to ride with a pedal on Atlanta's best paved cycling trails.

Eric Champlin is an outdoor enthusiast, and the editor of AtlantaTrails.com and AshevilleTrails.com, online magazines that highlight the South's best outdoor adventures.