Tallulah Gorge, Amicalola Falls, Cloudland Canyon: These Georgia hiking destinations are all gorgeous, challenging, and absolutely worth a visit. But they’re also more than an hour’s drive outside the city — and for some of us, that’s enough of an excuse to flake on a hike. So while Midtown isn’t exactly the first place you’d look for waterfalls and gorges, intown Atlanta does have a respectable number of trails and parks that are perfect for taking a walk in the woods. (In fact, there’s even an entire book about them.) Here are a few places where you can get some fresh air without setting foot outside the Perimeter.

Dozens of species of birds, a champion tree, and a creepily fascinating folk art trail — all tucked in an unassuming corner of South DeKalb. The 125-acre brickyard-turned-wildlife preserve known as Constitution Lakes was purchased by DeKalb County a decade ago. The site now has a paved walkway and a parking lot, plus the second-tallest willow oak in Atlanta (and one very Seuss-sounding hybrid tree known as the Sweetwater Goak). Arborists aren’t the only ones nerding out over this place though: Birdwatchers have spotted hawks, owls, kingfishes, and herons, among others. If you’re not afraid of off-roading away from the paved walkway, the spectacularly creepy Doll’s Head Trail is a fascinating walk lined with folk art crafted from washed-up trash.

This series of protected sites along the Chattahoochee River spans 48 miles, most of which are outside the Perimeter. But the CRNRA’s most southerly points, the Palisades, are tucked just inside I-285, about a 20-minute drive from Downtown. If you’re looking for a leisurely riverside stroll on a mostly-level paved path, stick to the West Palisades. Over on the other side of the ‘Hooch, the unpaved East Palisades meanders through dense woods, a bamboo forest, and along the river for more than 3.4 miles; it also includes a few steep climbs to 400-foot overlooks. Take a look at the guides over at AtlantaTrails or GeorgiaTrails for the play-by-play.

It’s hard to say what’s the most interesting part about this Southwest Atlanta gem: the rich Civil War history, the curious ruins, or the fact that there’s an actual waterfall inside Atlanta’s Perimeter. Either way, this quiet and verdant 120-acre greenspace is well worth spending some time exploring. Fun fact: according to Atlas Obscura, the site was once home to an exclusive resort where tourists could bathe in the healing waters of the Utoy Creek. Couldn’t hurt to try.

Try to get anywhere near Irwin Street on a sunny Saturday afternoon, and you’ll find incontrovertible evidence that the Beltline’s Eastside Trail has been a huge hit with Atlantans. But what about the less polished legs of the 22-mile corridor? Known as the Interim Trails, these unfinished stretches aren’t paved, nor are they lined with restaurants and bars (no yet, anyway). But these rough, bumpy trails are still worth exploring. Check out the Westside trail for a view of “Warehouse Row” and historic neighborhoods like Westview and Adair Park. (You can get an idea of the site with these before-and-after photos and renderings.)