The houses are big, but the hills even bigger in Buckhead, a plush neighborhood of Atlanta sometimes referred to as “Beverly Hills of the South.” Begin this tour of Buckhead’s signature climbs by heading west on Pharr Road from Frankie Allen Park. The ride’s early miles descend through lush forest before leading to the ride’s first climb, a 0.3-mile chug up Conway Drive. Like most of the ride’s climbs, Conway is short but steep, averaging a formidable 7 percent grade. The climb culminates with a fast descent down Harris Trail.
Immediately following the Harris descent, you’ll hit the harrowing ascent up Northside Drive. This 0.8-mile ascent, interspersed by a brief flat, features grades between 8 and 10 percent before cresting on Riverview Road. Dive down Riverview through thick trees toward the Chattachoochee River before rolling toward Powers Ferry Road. The ride’s next major climb crawls up Rebel Trail for 0.8 mile, serving up hefty 7 and 8 percent grades along the way.
From Rebel, you’ll hit a series of rolling hills while winding through the ride’s southern loop. Coast along the banks of the Peachtree Creek for a mile before beginning the undulating 2.5-mile climb back to Frankie Allen Park.
-Mapped by Thomas Upshaw
TO TRAILHEAD: From I 75 N, take exit 252A and turn right at Northside Dr./US 41. After 0.4 mile, turn right onto Collier Rd. Follow for 0.9 mile. Turn left at Peachtree Rd. Follow for 2.3 miles. Turn right at Pharr Rd. Follow for 0.4 mile. Turn right at Bagley Street. Park is on left in 0.1 mile.