A Group Of People Cutting A Red Ribbon — Official opening of the Anniston Chief Ladiga Trail Extension on April 24, 2025. (Audrey Kent / The Bama Buzz)

The city of Anniston celebrated the opening of the Chief Ladiga Trail on Thursday linking its downtown to the longest paved pedestrian path in America.

With the completion of the 6.5-mile trail extension that ends at Anniston’s Multimodal Amtrak Station, the Chief Ladiga Trail now spans 39.5 miles in Alabama. It now seamlessly connects to the Silver Comet Trail in Georgia. The path now totals 105 miles long.

“This moment has been years in the making—a dream shared by so many dedicated men and women. Now, in 2025, it’s finally a reality. This is a major milestone for Anniston, and we’re thrilled to invite everyone to come out and celebrate along the beautiful Ladiga Trail.”
Jackson Hodges, Public Relations Director for City of Anniston

Chief Ladiga Trail 35 years in the makin

A Sign With Many Logos — Official opening of the Anniston Chief Ladiga Trail Extension on April 24, 2025. (Audrey Kent / The Bama Buzz)

The idea of the Chief Ladiga Trail began in 1990 in the small Calhoun County town of Piedmont when it received a Land Water Conservation Fund grant. Alabama‘s first Rail to Trail project, the trail connected with Georgia’s Silver Comet Trail in December 2008.

A Group Of People Standing On A Road With Bicycles — Official opening of the Anniston Chief Ladiga Trail Extension on April 24, 2025. (Audrey Kent / The Bama Buzz)

In 2022, the city of Anniston acquired the last 1.4 mile segment to complete the trail. The “Model City” has since invested $7.26 million to construct and finish the trail.

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