Roanoke Canal Trail:
North Carolina
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Description:
The Roanoke Canal Trail is a beautiful recreational biking route from the town of Roanoke Rapids to Weldon. The trail follows one of the country's most impressive and best-preserved early 19-century canals. Begun before 1819, and completed in 1823, the Roanoke Canal was built as the North Carolina segment of the ambitious Roanoke Navigation System. It was designed to connect the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia with Norfolk across a distance of 400 miles. Today, intact segments of the canal include portions of the 39-foot-wide channel, its 10-foot-wide tow path, the original aqueduct and a stone culvert.

In addition to the lovely scenery along the trail, you can learn about the canal's history at a new museum, housed in the former generator house and office building for the Roanoke Navigation and Power Company (listed on the National Register of Historic Places).

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Parking & Trail Access:
There are numerous access points and places to park throughout the length of the canal trail. Visit the Roanoke Canal & Museum website to download a brochure that shows the access points. For more information, contact:

The Roanoke Canal Commission, Inc.
c/o Roanoke Rapids Parks and Recreation Department
400 East Sixth St.
Roanoke Rapids, NC 27870
252-533-2847

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Reviews: [1 trail ratings]
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Good ATB/MTB trail
By lars1367 in September, 2009
It was a little rough with a Burley and two kids in tow! I would not advise taking a child, or children, in a trailer beyond the I-95 section of the trail, as it gets more difficult (fun if you are into technical riding and have a good bike). I'd like to see the trail managed better, more consistancy in the trail surface, and marked better. Over-all, it was a fun ride, despite the unadvertised single-track section of the trail.
Beware
By stephen smith in October, 2007
This is really a hiking trail and a technically challenging single track. It is not for cruising and can be quite dangerous for riders without mountain biking skills.
A good ride
By Peter Haynes in July, 2005
"I thoroughly enjoyed this ride. Mountain bike is a must to do the entire length and deal with tree roots and rocks. I rode fairly steady pace and averaged about 10mi/hr. Trail could use some better signs. I missed a turn or two, but It's not like you're going to get lost. A lot of wild life, watch out for deer."
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