Explore the best rated trails in Roanoke Rapids, NC. Whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Tobacco Heritage Trail and Louisburg Bike Trail . With more than 6 trails covering 39 miles you’re bound to find a perfect trail for you. Click on any trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
The Tar River Trail parallels the Tar River, where Tuscarora Indians traveled before colonists settled here. Along the trail you will find evidence of early colonial history, the industrial...
The 2.2-mile, paved Louisburg Bike Trail runs from S. Main Street to Vance-Granville Community College (VGCC). At the Main St. end, you'll find the trail at Depot Street Hill, just south of the Tar...
The Tobacco Heritage Trail currently runs in a continuous, off-road 17-mile stretch between the southern Virginia communities of Lawrenceville, Brodnax and La Crosse. Along the way, trail-goers can...
Victoria Railroad Park is a 21-acre open space located in the central business district of an old railroad town in south-central Virginia. Victoria was the halfway point of a Virginian Railway...
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...
The Tar River Trail parallels the Tar River, where Tuscarora Indians traveled before colonists settled here. Along the trail you will find evidence of early colonial history, the industrial...
In 1865, at the end of the Civil War, freed slaves were drawn to an encampment of Union troops along the Tar River in eastern North Carolina. When the troops left, the settlers stayed, calling the...
The Tobacco Heritage Trail currently runs in a continuous, off-road 17-mile stretch between the southern Virginia communities of Lawrenceville, Brodnax and La Crosse. Along the way, trail-goers can...
Victoria Railroad Park is a 21-acre open space located in the central business district of an old railroad town in south-central Virginia. Victoria was the halfway point of a Virginian Railway...
The 2.2-mile, paved Louisburg Bike Trail runs from S. Main Street to Vance-Granville Community College (VGCC). At the Main St. end, you'll find the trail at Depot Street Hill, just south of the Tar...
The 2.2-mile, paved Louisburg Bike Trail runs from S. Main Street to Vance-Granville Community College (VGCC). At the Main St. end, you'll find the trail at Depot Street Hill, just south of the Tar...
The Tobacco Heritage Trail currently runs in a continuous, off-road 17-mile stretch between the southern Virginia communities of Lawrenceville, Brodnax and La Crosse. Along the way, trail-goers can...
The Tar River Trail parallels the Tar River, where Tuscarora Indians traveled before colonists settled here. Along the trail you will find evidence of early colonial history, the industrial...
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...
Victoria Railroad Park is a 21-acre open space located in the central business district of an old railroad town in south-central Virginia. Victoria was the halfway point of a Virginian Railway...
In 1865, at the end of the Civil War, freed slaves were drawn to an encampment of Union troops along the Tar River in eastern North Carolina. When the troops left, the settlers stayed, calling the...
Wife and I went today - July 6- started at oak woods trail by the hydro plant - went to the end and back - DEFINITELY recommend a short stop at the Roanoke Canal Museum ($4 cash only) - the curator there was very knowledgeable and made the trail that much better knowing the history we were riding through. The only part we had an issue with was once we left the museum & crossed the street- the brush was blocking the trail entrance sign - we quickly figured that out in a few blocks & when we turned around headed back to the museum- the sign was in a clear view. Lots of critters along the path too.
I roundtripped this trail in April ‘21 on a hybrid mountain bike. 35.5 miles, 3:40 time, 9.6mph average speed. The trail was well maintained - grass was cut, large fallen trees were removed, garbage containers were emptied, trail parking is plentiful at the several trailheads. The first few miles out of LaCrosse were paved, the rest is crushed gravel, softer sand, and dirt/grass. I saw only 2 other bikers all day (they were on e-bikes). There definitely is not a lot of use on the trail, there are no tunnels or really long trestles or bridges, and there is not much in terms of trailside amenities that I could tell (restaurants, bed and breakfasts, stores), but if you’re looking for a nice long ride in the woods with nobody else around, this is the trail for you. If it gets connected into a larger/longer trail system, and if that spurs some economic development along the way in terms of businesses catering to bikers and tourists, this current trail could be a great foundation for a future longer trail that could be a bucket-list type of ride.
Had a great time. Gradual upgrades.
I've biked this trail twice since August. Love it. The first time I saw three other cyclists, and the second time I saw one. It's all flat or nearly flat. The unpaved part between Brodnax and Lawrenceville varies between nice hardpack and slow sand, but my gravel bike did fine with it, as I'm sure a mountain bike would. The forest on this trail is hardwood trees. It was great to disappear into the woods by myself for a while. I'll be back, even though I live 80 miles away.
Rode round trip starting in Lawrenceville and it was spectacular! We loved every minute of it. We rode with gravel bikes and the surface was perfect and well maintained. We will definitely be going back soon. With Covid restrictions, there wasn't anywhere to eat lunch, but there were plenty of places on our way back home.
OK. The paved portion in nice; the rest of the trail: ugh! Atractive woodland setting, but poorly maintained. Frequent sections were marked by deep sand and loose gravel. Very tiresome to navigate and ride. And not a tobacco plant within miles. LOL
Started from Pamplin in the morning of June 12. Half a mile in, we spotted someone on the trail running away from us. As it turned so that we saw it in profile, we realized that it was a bear. Turned around double quick! Will not be going on this trail again.
Such a pretty trail! Highly recommend. And it was virtually people-free. On the unlaced section it was super quiet, minus the bird sounds. Very peaceful.
Wife and I rode Lawrenceville to La Crosse and returned the following day, staying at the Fairfield Marriott right off the trail. The trail is pretty flat, but more uphill on the way to La Crosse. The trail is in pretty good shape except for a fallen tree from the recent storms. The grass on the trail was recently cut so there was a lot of room to the sides and the center grass was low. The facilities along this trail are excellent—several bathrooms, garbage cans, and benches. The last four miles to La Crosse are paved which made for easy riding. We saw quite a few deer, a snake or two, and a couple of turtles on the journey. I keep telling the snakes to stay away because my wife is afraid of them; but they don’t listen to me.
There really isn’t that much along the trail so take food and water with you. La Crosse and South Hill have all kinds of places to eat, so once you get there you have plenty of choices.
My only complaints are the lack of use of the trail and the need for crushed limestone. The trail is really nice and we really did not see any use. With all that infrastructure people should take advantage of it being there and the towns and the county should try to highlight it more. The trail cover is more of a sandy material, not like the typical crushed limestone. When it is dry you can lose traction pretty easily and you will slide. Be careful with that. There is also an issue with the mile markers. It seems like you go from mile 1 to mile 4 with no 2 or 3.
Beautiful shady trail with a few sunny sections riding on freshly mowed grass. Nice flora and historical signage. We began at Roanoke Lake day use Park, rode to River Falls Park in Weldon and back. Fairly well maintained, but it could use better signage for getting on the trail at each end.
Drove in from Raleigh area to do the peaceful 18 miles from west of La Crosse to Lawrenceville. Western 4-5 miles is a nice paved section. Railroad St. in Brodnax is a seamless transition to crushed stone section (look for the shareroads to confirm you're on the right path). The crushed stone section is clearly designed with horses in mind, but it is a perfectly fine trail for MTBs. And they have provided 4 fixed latrines (Bless'm!) and a multitude of picnic tables. Ate at The Clubhouse Grill in Lawrenceville (turn right at the abrupt end of the trail, down the hill, quick right). Good comfort food with local atmosphere. And the only eatery (except Hardee's) I could find on the trail.
The only reason I didn't give this trail 5 stars is that I think La Crosse needs to solidify it's standing as the premier trail access point by providing at least a changing hut, or better yet rest rooms and water fountain.
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