By Firebf in July, 2011
A couple of day trip easily got in the North Augusta Greenway and the Augusta Canal trails. The entrance off Goodrich Street that went to the Pumping Station is blocked at the Sibley Textile Mill. Although there are some unlocked parking areas here, it is pretty isolated so keep your car and your personal safety in mind. Across the canal there currently is construction of a new Kroc Center with some trail paving going on but we felt not a good area to park in so looked elsewhere further north (or west)
We also looked at the gravel parking area at the dead end of Millage Road adjacent to Lake Olmsted. Although we chose not to access the train from here, there is a bridge across the canal at this point and you can park and get to the trail very easily.
Our choice was the parking lots at Eisenhower Park located on the dead end of Eisenhower Drive off Broad Street. Follow Eisenhower and take a right immediately after crossing the CSX Railroad track. Take this drive to the dead end. You will see a fence across the street, but the Augusta Parks department keeps a path mowed around the gate to the left and a path goes under the bridge for River Watch Parkway. Follow this path to the canal and there is a small bridge which will lead you across the canal where you will now access the Canal Trail at the Augusta Waterworks Pump Station. (Keep in mind this IS an active mainline for the CSX Railroad to keep little ones (and yourself) clear of the track.
Once across the canal, you can go either to the right toward downtown Augusta or left heading to the head of the canal. We were on the trail the day after a deluge rain (see report on North Augusta Greenway Trail) but found very little mud and a very easy ride. There is decent shade heading north or to your left from this point and less tree canopy or shade heading south since you are on the top of the Augusta Levee. There are porta-potties northward from this point but take your own water.
Take a look at the "Birdseye view" on Google Maps where you can easily see the canal and the trails along the former "tow-path" and top of the levee. Helmets on, Kick-stands up... have a great and safe ride!!
By hhowse in June, 2011
My husband and I checked out the Augusta Canal trail this morning and what a workout we got! Not many coasting opportunities which meant constant peddling for nearly the entire route. I clocked 12.83 miles from our start at the Savannah Rapids Park off Evans to Locks Road and Stevens Creek. We parked at the top of the hill and started the trail from atop, which meant we ended the trail atop too...LOL. The scenery is great and the trail is very well maintained. We enjoyed the kayaks and the waterfalls. The narrow bridge crossing was a bit nerve wrecking to me, but my husband loved it. He's quite the daredevil. I'm sure we'll be visiting again!
By JJburns in December, 2010
There was a gentleman that said about the path that starts at the pavilion. Well that pathway starts at the entrance to the pavilion and ends just past Blue Ridge Dr. I haven't tried the trail yet but from what I got from a taste of it up at the head gates it looks like a pretty good trail. I'll give it a few stars for now until I finally finish it