Why We Love the Silver Comet Trail
- Matthew Stover
- Nov 5, 2025
- 2 min read
From Rails to Trails: Exploring Mableton’s Most Scenic Escape
All pictures by Matthew R. Stover
The Silver Comet Trail is one of Mableton’s greatest treasures.
It's a quiet place to walk, bike, and enjoy nature. Once a busy passenger rail line, it now stretches more than 60 miles west toward Alabama, offering peaceful scenery and a glimpse into local history.
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Entrance at Concord Road Trailhead
Your journey begins at the Concord Road Trailhead located next to the Historic Concord Covered Bridge. This is the eastern most entrance to the Silver Comet Trail in Mableton.
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Concord Woolen Mill
If you travel just beyond the bridge over the East West Connector, you’ll spot a path veering to the left that leads down to the historic ruins of Concord Woolen Mills.
This 19th-century mill, nestled along Nickajack Creek, was once a major industrial employer in the region and a key part of the post-Civil War rebuilding era.
Take a moment to wander the trail, enjoy the creek running beside it, and soak in the layers of history you’ll find here.
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Mableton/Floyd Road Trailhead
At the Mableton/Floyd Road Trailhead there’s plenty of parking and nearby spots to grab a bite like Positano Pizza or TDT BBQ. You can find Comet Trail Cycles in close vicinity, which is the perfect place to grab a rental or get your own bike fixed up before you hit the path.
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South Hurt Road Tunnel
The South Hurt Road tunnel is one of the most memorable stops. It's a curved tunnel tucked in the woods that echoes with every laugh and shout.
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Austell Road Overpass
There are several overpasses along the trail, but one stands out. As the path dips beneath Austell Road, you’re surrounded by walls of ivy climbing nearly twenty feet high and draping gracefully over the trail.
The earth rises around you, creating a quiet, shaded pocket that feels cooler and calmer than the rest of the ride.
A gentle stream borders both sides of the path, adding the soft sound of running water to the peaceful scene.
Check out the video below to see what it’s like to glide through this hidden stretch of the Silver Comet Trail.
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Olley Creek Bridge
The Olley Creek Bridge offers one of the trail’s most peaceful views, overlooking the rolling greens of Dogwood Golf Club, which are especially beautiful in the fall when the trees burst with color.
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