Rail-Trail
State: NC Length: 19 miles Surface: Asphalt, Cinder, Crushed Stone, Grass, Gravel
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. In addition, there's a short break in the trail between SR 54 at the Southpoint Crossing shopping center and the end of Crichton Lane. From south to north, beginning at the New Hill Olive Chapel Road Parking area to Massey Chapel Road (about 13.5 miles), the trail surface is as follows: Between mile 0 and 8: smoth packed cinder Between mile 8 and 11.5: asphalt Between mile 11.5 and 11.75: rough gravel Between mile 11.75 and 12: smooth packed cinder Between mile 12 and 13.5: rough gravel For project updates visit the city of Durham's Public Works page online. The southern segment is open to equestrians. 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.
State: NC Length: 7.50 miles Surface: Asphalt, Concrete, Crushed Stone
Stretching from north of Lake Brandt south to Greensboro Country Park and beyond, the newly named Yadkin & Atlantic Greenway is really a combination of three greenway segments, now made into one: the Lake Brandt and Bicentennial greenways and the Battleground Rail-Trail. The rail-trail occupies the abandoned bed of the Atlantic-Yadkin Railroad, which operated between 1899 and 1950. Some of the line was part of the Cape Fear and Yadkin Valley Railway and ran from Wilmington, NC, to Mount Airy, transporting granite and, on occasion, visitors to the Guilford Courthouse National Military Park. Today, the Atlantic & Yadkin Greenway rail-trail links neighborhoods, businesses and parklands. Beginning in the Lake Brandt area, Greensboro's oldest and second-largest reservoir, you'll experience beautiful lake views as you wind along the rail-trail though a mixed pine and hardwood forest alive with native wildflowers and wildlife. Pause on any of several bridges, particularly the 140-foot H. Michael Weaver Bridge, to spot such common and migratory birds as bald eagles, blue herons, egrets and ospreys. Signs mark possible side trips on the Owl's Roost, Palmetto, and Nat Greene trails. From the intersection of Old Battleground and Lake Brandt roads, the rail-trail runs through a residential neighborhood then crosses through Guilford Courthouse National Military Park before skirting the western border of the adjacent Greensboro Country Park At Pisgah Church Road, the Atlantic & Yadkin Greenway carries on through what was once called the Battleground Rail-Trail. It runs parallel to Battleground Avenue (east side) to its terminus at Markland Drive. Some of the rail-trail sections take slight jogs down city sidewalks. Just follow the A&Y logo (the front view of an old steam engine) to keep to the trail.
State: NC Length: 1.25 miles Surface: Crushed Stone
Just a short section of the Deep River Rail-Trail is complete through Franklinville as of early 2011. Highlights of the Deep River Rail-Trail include an old fish weir built by early Native Americans. There are plans to extend the trail in the nearby town of Ramseur, which would include a 3.5-mile segment heading east, and to extend the rail-trail from Franklinville west to Cedar Falls. Trail advocates see the trail eventually stretching from Jamestown through Ramseur, then south to House in the Horseshoe State Historic Site and east to Harris Lake. In 2011 Franklinville is applying for a Recreational Trails Program grant (from NC) for improvements on a westward easement that would extend the trail as far as Riverside Park and double the length of the trail to 1.55 miles. The Deep River Rail-Trail follows the abandoned rail bed of the Atlantic and Yadkin Railroad, which began operations in 1897 and shut down in 1980.
State: VA Length: 4.50 miles Surface: Asphalt
The Dick and Willie Passage is a 4.5 mile, 10-foot wide paved trail. This is a beautiful trail that runs through the heart of Martinsville and Henry County, from El Parral restaurant near Villa Heights to Mulberry Creek east of Martinsville. The trail can be accessed from four trailheads and restrooms are available at three locations. The trail is on a former section of the Danville & Western (nicknamed the "Dick and Willie") rail line, which was later acquired by Norfolk Southern.
State: NC Length: 2.30 miles Surface: Gravel
The Eagle Spur Rail-Trail follows 2.2 miles of the former Durham-New Hill Railroad, from Stagecoach Road along New Hope Creek to Jordan Lake. When you're done exploring the Eagle Spur, cross over SR 751 and head north a short distance to Massey Chapel Road, where you can jump on the American Tobacco Trail.
State: NC Length: 3.50 miles Surface: Dirt
The Forest Creek Trail is an important connecter between the Longleaf Trail at its southern tip and Nick's Creek Trail at its northern end. The adjoining Forest Creek Access also links it to Reservoir Park, which features a 95-acre lake popular for boating and fishing. In addition, the trail is useful for students attending the abutting Sandhills Community College and O'Neal School.
State: NC Length: 1 miles Surface: Dirt, Gravel
A trip along the Gold Hill Rail-Trail through this historic village will transport you back to a time when North Carolina was the country's only gold-producing state. Signs posted every few hundred feet along the mile-long dirt and gravel path detail the history of mining in the state. While gold was unofficially discovered here in 1799 by a 12-year-old boy, in its glory days Gold Hill was the richest mining property east of the Mississippi. The trail begins about 100 yards past the junction of St. Stephens Church Road and Baptist Church Road. There's no sign or even a clear path to indicate that the strip of grass along the road is a trail, but if you want the full history lesson, park at St. Stephen's and backtrack to this point. On the route back to your car, you'll pass the old Randolph Shaft, a miner's field, the powder house and the assay office, where miners staked their claims and weighed their gold. Just past the assay office is the first historical marker. Cross the street here to join the clearly defined gravel trail. Much of the onward trail passes through forest, so keep watch for wildlife, such as deer and broadtail hawks. There are a few swampy patches; be prepared for a muddy trek if you visit following a rainstorm. End the trail at the old Union Gold and Copper Mine site in Cabarrus County. The view of the ruins is almost breathtaking. Hikers must stay on the trail so as not to trespass on private property. Back in the village, check out the various historic buildings that have been restored as cafés, antique shops and museums.
State: NC Length: 0.38 miles Surface: Asphalt
The short Libba Cotton Bikeway is built along an active rail spur right-of-way: the Norfolk and Southern Railroad. The bikeway connects Carrboro's central business district to just west of the UNC campus in Chapel Hill. (Take Cameron Avenue to campus at the bikeway's southeast terminus.)
State: NC Length: 0.50 miles Surface: Dirt
Nestled in the northern outskirts of the charming town of Southern Pines, the Longleaf Trail provides a useful connection between the Pine Grove Village, Talamore and Longleaf neighborhoods. Running between the Forest Creek Trail and the Longleaf Access Trail, this half-mile pathway is part of a network of trails surrounding Reservoir Park, a scenic tree-lined lake.
State: NC Length: 1 miles Surface: Dirt
The Mill Creek Trail provides an important linkage between Reservoir Park -- a popular fishing, boating and hiking spot -- and the Warrior Woods residential area. On its western end, the 1-mile trail connects to the Reservoir Park Greenway that encircles the lake.
State: NC Length: 2.90 miles Surface: Asphalt
The Muddy Creek Greenway follows its namesake waterway through woodlands and meadows in the western outskirts of Winston-Salem. The mix of environments makes the trail a birdwatchers paradise. Cardinals, bluebirds, chickadees and woodpeckers can frequently be found in the trees along the trail. In the open areas, look for blackbirds, meadowlarks and wild turkeys. From the banks of the creek, you may see herons, kingfishers, ducks and even a hawk circling above for a meal.
Nick's Creek Trail provides a tranquil route through scenic woodlands. The 1-mile trail runs from Highway 22 south to the Forest Creek Trail, which leads to Reservoir Park, a popular recreational area.
State: VA Length: 5.50 miles Surface: Crushed Stone
The Richmond and Danville Rail-Trail follows part of the right-of-way of the old railroad of the same name, an important transportation corridor for the Confederacy during the Civil War. The railroad linked the Confederate capital of Richmond with Southside, the area between the James River and the North Carolina border, where hospitals, prisons and supply depots were located. Jefferson Davis and the Confederate Army took the route of this railroad line when they retreated from Richmond near the end of the war. They also used it to carry war supplies and Union prisoners. Today, 5.5 miles of this historical corridor, which eventually became part of the Norfolk Southern Railway system, is the scenic Richmond and Danville Rail-Trail. Also called the Ringgold Trail, this trail was opened in January 2001. It travels past farmlands and through light woods, providing a flat route for a walk or bike ride in the rural Virginia countryside on the outskirts of Danville. Start your trip at the western trailhead, and in only 1 mile you will reach a wetland area with prime waterfowl watching. The ride is comfortable for bicyclists and easy for hikers of all ages; it's also wheelchair accessible. You can brush up on your Civil War history as well: plaques along the way detail significant events that happened near the rail-trail. If you're looking for evidence of the trail's railroading past, the eastern trailhead has a restored railroad depot and an old red caboose.
State: VA Length: 8 miles Surface: Asphalt, Concrete
The 8.5-mile, paved Riverwalk Trail is part of Danville's expanding network of trails. This scenic pathway along the Dan River connects industry, beautiful parks and natural areas. It travels through some of the most important and historical Civil War regions of southern Virginia. Throughout the Civil War, Danville functioned as a staging area for many battles. Some of its old tobacco warehouses were turned into Civil War prisons, and the city was the last capital of the Confederate States of America after Richmond was captured by the Union army. The trail's recommended starting point is at the Crossing at the Dan trailhead in historical downtown Danville, alongside a renovated tobacco warehouse and the active Amtrak station located in the Science Center. From here, you'll cross the Dan River on a restored 1856 railroad bridge. At the other side, you can go east or west. If you turn left (west), the trail follows the river upstream for about 1 mile along the river until it reaches the beautiful overlook at Union Street Bridge, then continues upstream with access to businesses and restaurants. However, the best part of the trail lies to the right, on the eastern side. From here, the riverside trail will take you on an enjoyable trip through the many beautiful parks and natural areas adjacent to the Dan River. You'll see a variety of wildlife, including a goose or two using the trail themselves. Once you pass Dan Daniel Memorial Park, the trail continues to wind along the river through Angler's Park. At the Angler's Park trailhead, you have the option of continuing on the trail segment toward Danville Regional Airport. Although the terrain is hilly from here to the airport, it is the most secluded section of the Riverwalk. It links to the intertwining 25-mile Anglers ridge single track mountain bike trail system.
State: NC Length: 4.50 miles Surface: Asphalt
The Salem Creek Greenway consists of two paved segments that follow the tree-lined creek diagonally for nearly 5 miles across southern Winston-Salem. A short sidewalk connection allows passage between the two. The trail begins off the parking lot for the Marketplace Mall. From there, you will soon pass through Washington Park, a 75-acre recreational area with athletic fields, picnic pavilions, a dog park and a playground. Once out of the park, you will reach S. Broad Street; follow it north on the sidewalk, then go east on W. Salem Avenue around the traffic circle to connect to the trail again. Or, to avoid the traffic circle: just before you reach S. Broad Street, take the fork to the right under the street; cross the large wooden bridge and follow the sidewalk to the left for approximately 200 feet, then make another left before the traffic circle. This will take you back under the street and past the tennis courts. If you go north at the traffic circle, you can also hop on the Winston-Salem Strollway, a short rail-trail that parallels Old Salem Road into downtown. Stay on the greenway and you'll travel between Winston-Salem University and Civitan Park and through Reynolds Park with its 18-hole golf course. The trail ends at Salem Lake, the city's second largest source of water and a popular place for boating and fishing. Take the 7-mile loop around the lake for outstanding views of the water.
State: NC Length: 7 miles Surface: Cinder, Dirt, Gravel, Sand
The Salem Lake Trail runs nearly 7 miles, circling Salem Lake at the park of the same name in the city of Winston-Salem. Near downtown, the park offers a 365-acre lake and the trail provides scenic lake views. The surface is dirt, sand, gravel and rock dust. You can also connect to the Salem Lake Greenway at the fishing station on the lake's west end, and take the greenway all the way to the mall on Peters Creek Parkway. Trail users note: the park closes in the evening, so don't get locked in. Also, when the water overflows the dam, the back gate will be closed.
State: NC Length: 1.20 miles Surface: Asphalt, Crushed Stone
As its name suggests, the Winston-Salem Strollway presents the perfect setting for a leisurely walk. Completed in 1988, the popular rail-trail links Winston-Salem's modern business district with historic Old Salem. The first segment threads though several engaging downtown blocks and crosses beneath I-40. As you approach the underpass, the cityscape gives way to green spaces, fragrant magnolias and residential neighborhoods. A half-mile farther you'll reach the Old Salem Visitor Center. If time allows, pop in and explore this restored historic district. Established in 1766 by Moravian craftsmen, it grew into a thriving trading center and reputable source of high-quality handicrafts. Today it's one of the country's most authentic and best documented colonial sites, boasting 100 restored and reconstructed buildings. A half-mile beyond the visitor center, the Strollway ends at West Salem Avenue. If you have the energy, continue east on the connecting Salem Creek Greenway, which skirts the creek for 4 miles and emerges on scenic Salem Lake.