American Tobacco Trail:
North Carolina
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Description:
Nearly complete except for one section, the American Tobacco Trail will extend uninterrupted from Durham 22 miles south to Wake County. The trail surface varies from paved to unpaved throughout its length. In some sections it is only grass or clay.

The 6.5-mile northern segment, with a well-maintained asphalt surface, is a favorite among inline skaters and cyclists. Starting from the Durham Bulls Athletic Park, this urban pathway winds through neighborhoods and up behind the Southpoint Crossing Shopping Center to its current end at State Highway 54.

There are plans to connect the trail from here to Massey Chapel road, including a bridge over I-40, which is 4 miles of trail. You can access updates on this project, tentatively scheduled for completion sometime in 2012.

Starting from Massey Chapel Road south of I-40, the 12.5-mile southern segment runs south on a dirt, grass and gravel track through neighborhoods and piney woods. This segment is open to equestrians.

At the Chatham County line to New Hope Church Road, the trail has a dual-surface—paved and ballast. The trail courses through beautiful pines, and its rural sections boast plentiful wildlife, including beavers, herons, hawks, songbirds, vultures, squirrels, owls and deer. While hunters use portions of the southern segment to access wildlife areas, rest assured they are not allowed to carry loaded firearms on the trail.


The American Tobacco Trail was featured as a Trail of the Month by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy.

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Parking & Trail Access:
To reach the northern trailhead, head south on US 15/501 Business/North Roxboro Street; this will turn into South Mangum Street. At West Pettigrew Street, turn right, followed by a left on Blackwell Street. Parking is available beneath the East-West Expressway on Morehead Avenue, across from the Durham Bulls Athletic Park. Trail parking is also available at Solite Park off Fayetteville Street and at Southpoint Crossing Shopping Center, just north of I-40 at the intersection of Fayetteville and NC 54.

To reach the southern section, take I-40 to Exit 276 and head south on Fayetteville Street. Two miles down, turn left on Scott King Road. A parking lot is just west of the trailhead. A smaller lot is on the west side of Fayetteville Road, just north of a bridge across the trail. Steps provide access.

To reach the southern trailhead from Raleigh, take US Highway 1 south to Exit 89 toward New Hill/Jordan Lake, turn right, and drive about 4 miles up New Hill-Olive Chapel Road. Trailhead parking is on the right. To reach the other access point, take US Highway 64 west, turn right on Jenks Road, then left on Wimberley Road. Parking is on the right.

Contact:
Triangle Rails-to-Trails Conservancy
P.O. Box 61091
Durham, NC 27715
(919) 545-9104

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Seasonal Restrictions:
The American Tobacco Trail is open from sunrise to sunset except in Wake County where the trail closes one-hour before sunset.
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Reviews: [3 trail ratings]
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wow
By smtbrooks in November, 2011
My ten year old son rode 23 miles on the southern part of the trail. Fall colors were wonderful. We had a great time. What a great place to make great memories with the family.
GREAT trail!!!
By r.j. in June, 2011
What a shame that the reviewers "Linda and Bill" ("Nice Trail, but....") missed the BEST part of the trail--the southern part. They apparently went only on the northern, much more urban section of the trail, which is split from the southern end by I-40. The southern end features a beautiful tree-shaded trail with about four miles of paved path. Every weekend my wife and I travel 40 minutes with our hybrid bikes to bike 24 miles on the southern end. Even in the hottest weather, the shaded trail is a joy to bike. Bikers, joggers, and walkers are frequently encountered, but the trail is so long (13.5 miles one way) that you don't feel crowded at all. I wish "Linda and Bill" had seen this part of the trail.....
Nice Trail, but......
By Linda & Bill in April, 2011
We were heading to Emerald Isle, NC from Virginia and decided to stop in Durham to check out the American Tobacco Trail along the way. It’s easy to find this trail. Set your GPS to the Durham Bulls Stadium, 508 Blackwell St., Durham, NC. Turn left on Blackwell St. to the bottom of the hill. Parking is behind the large while satellite dishes. The trail begins in front of the satellite dishes. The trail is 6.5 miles long, well marked and beautifully maintained, but there are 17 road crossings in the 6.5 miles. The trail runs through the suburbs of the city of Durham. You ride past some nice housing developments, but there’s nothing scenic on this route. The people of Durham are fortunate to have a nice trail in their back yard, but if you’re exploring the country checking out scenic rail trails as we are, this one was nothing exceptional.
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