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Although the trail description does describe this as 4.5 mile asphalt trail, the comments provide some very misleading information that might be helped by some broader clarification in the main trail description.
When accessing this Dismal Swamp Canal Trail (NC), you come in contact with a network of recreational park resources that are adjacent to, but have nothing to do with, the Canal Trail to which this entry refers.
1. The Dismal Swamp Canal Trail (NC), is as described is a paved section of trail from a south-end trailhead parking area at the intersection of Route 17 and NC Highway 343 N going north to the NC Dismal Swamp Canal Welcome Center. (Note that the trail and Welcome Center are on the east side of the canal, between the canal and Route 17). The actual trail length is about 3.4 miles. I don't know how the 4.5 mile distance in description is calculated. The following description is taken from the Welcome Center website (https://dismalswampwelcomecenter.com/hiking/).
"Dismal Swamp Canal Trail
This three mile paved trail begins at the southern end of the Dismal Swamp Canal Welcome Center/Dismal Swamp State Park off US Hwy 17 and meanders through a wooded area between the historic waterway and the historic highway, ending at NC Hwy 343. A 5 foot wide extension provides access for the trail to the Village of South Mills. This trail is beautifully maintained by Camden County Parks & Recreation."
I checked with the visitor desk at this welcome center and with the State Park Welcome Center (see below) and they both assured me that this was the only paved section of trail along the NC part of the Dismal Canal.
Note that this section of trail is maintained by Camden County Parks & Recreation.
Also note that the Welcome Center is home to a 150’ face dock along the Dismal Canal that provides a rest stop to nearly 2,000 boaters yearly. See https://dismalswampwelcomecenter.com/boating/
2. There is a swing bridge across the Dismal Canal, accessed from the Camden County Welcome Center parking lot on the EAST side, that leads to the NC Dismal Swamp State Park on the WEST side of the Canal.
See both https://dismalswampwelcomecenter.com/state-park/ and https://www.ncparks.gov/dismal-swamp-state-park.
Note that the Welcome Center and the State Park are entirely separate organizationally, and although they cooperate, they are run entirely separately.
The State Park has a system of "trails", although from the perspective of Rail-to-Trail and TrailLink.com users I think the designation of "trails" is a bit generous. The State Park bikeable trails are, for most of the mileage, nothing more than old logging roads, which are quite rough (large gravel, largely ungroomed, sections with tree roots making the trail quite rough, some sections not much more than a grassy overgrown path).
See the map at https://dismalswampwelcomecenter.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/DISW_mappad15.pdf
Most of the State Park trails (roads) run straight as an arrow in a grid pattern through the swamp. The main rectangle of the grid, which makes up the largest part of the trail mileage is bounded by Kim Saunders Road, Forest Line Road, Corapeake Road and Martha Washington Trail. It's a somewhat uninspiring ride. Gravel Bikers or MTBers may be more inclined to like this ride, but for the typical Rail-to-Trail rider, this isn't an expected experience.
The confusion in this TrailLink entry on "Dismal Swamp Canal Trail (NC)" is that there are comments referring to stuff that has absolutely nothing to do with the Dismal Swamp Canal Trail (NC). One comment refers to starting your ride up in "Chessie" (address is 1200 Dismal Swamp Canal). This is way up in Virginia! The Virgina part of the trail is, from what I've read, entirely different than the NC section. Another comment refers to the State Park trails, which again, have nothing to do with the Canal Trail. The State Park trails largely run perpendicular to and away from the Canal. (Comment that refers to State Park trails... "The trails are very well maintained. Despite all the previous rain, I had an awesome 23 mile ride and thoroughly enjoyed the day. The park Staff are very knowledgeable and friendly.")
If you are expecting a Canal Towpath (trail following the old towpath right along the canal) type experience which is more typical of other preserved canal trails in the Mid-Atlantic and NE canals, you will be sorely disappointed.
The State Park trails are what they are, and serve a purpose, although different than what the typical Rail-to-Trail user expects. I'm simply suggesting that this trial description needs to be clarified to make clear to what it does, and does not, refer.
If you have good wheels, you could skate this very short scenic trail.
It's beautiful and partially shaded. I am pretty new to skating but I have outdoor wheels so it wasn't too rough.
We parked at the parking lot and rode the nice asphalt path and stopped at the park, walked through the park where we saw over 50 turtles and a peacock. There were nice bridges- great for children. Then we ride back. Nice pleasant morning.
The trails are very well maintained. Despite all the previous rain, I had an awesome 23 mile ride and throughly enjoyed the day. The park Staff are very knowledgeable and friendly.
This trail goes down along Kitty Hawk Bay and has tons of little public and private docks along the way. Bike ride or going on a leisurely walk with the fam fam this trail has lot to look at and nice people along the way. We stayed at a rental in an attached neighborhood and it was a perfect bike ride to get some exercise on vacation. Highly recommend it! I went down and back and I got 7.4 miles in, so I suspect this is a lot longer than 1.5 miles. Just FYI!
If you start your ride at "Chessie" (address is 1200 Dismal Swamp Canal) and continue to the end it's 8.3 miles each way for a total of 16.6 miles. Make sure to apply bug spray. Family and cyclist friendly!
This is part of the trail system in the Outer Banks and provides a scenic connection along Kitty Hawk Bay between Bay Dr on the south and Moor Shore Rd on the north. Parking is available at a small park on Windgrass Circle. Historical note, the path is on what was once part of the route the Wright Brothers used during their first year of experiments at the Outer Banks. They stayed in Kitty Hawk village, later camping on the dunes overlooking Kitty Hawk Bay in the vicinity of this trail. Bayo “commuted” to Kill Devil Hills.
803 Ocean Trail, Corolla NC is the address attached to the southern end of the map. The greenway actually runs south from Timbuck II shopping plaza and is parallel to the main road on the east side. There is another paved path to the north that starts near the bank parking lot and runs parallel to the main road on the west side.
This is essentially a 6-mile sidewalk ride along Route 12. There are no signs that say Corolla Greenway. You're not going to see the Sound or the Lighthouse or the Inn unless you take a little bit detour off the route (in other words you're not biking right by them). We asked three people who live/work in Corolla, including at the park by the Lighthouse and none knew what or where the Corolla Greenway was. Also, don't be fooled by the map where it tells you that you can park on the North Beach Access Road at the North End of the trail - you must have a 4-wheel drive vehicle and drive on the beach (preferably with slightly deflated tires) to get to that parking. This is a nice little bike ride if you're staying nearby, but it's not worth driving any distance for.
Enjoyed the movie and talks. Rented a bike while husband walked. Any number of short and long trails. Try the logging trail that goes deep into the swamp. Bring water, sunscreen, deet and trail snax to keep up energy level. Highly recommended.
The DSCT was really pleasant. The day was beautiful and so was the trail. The trail meanders through the trees adjacent to the canal and occasionally comes close to Route 17. There are places along the trail to stop and relax. The only thing wrong is that it would be nice if it was longer for bike/trike riding. A word of caution is that there are some raised asphalt (from tree roots) in some locations (real washboards). If you're riding a bike, and the tires are hard (high air pressure) they can jar you're ride seriously. Some one painted some white lines at the beginning and end of the bad areas as a warning I assume. When the sun is shining on the trail, the white lines are hard to see unless you really look for them. BUT all in all, it is really beautiful and pleasant. There is a very nice state visitors center at the north end.
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