Find the top rated cross country skiing trails in Roanoke Rapids, whether you're looking for an easy short cross country skiing trail or a long cross country skiing trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a cross country skiing trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
We were skeptical about riding the Tobacco Heritage Trail after reading several reviews. But what a wonderful surprise our ride turned out to be! The 17 mile trail in southeast Virginia is well groomed and maintained with a surface of crushed stone, grass and pavement. The trail goes through canopied forests, tobacco farms and homey small towns. Our YouTube video of the trail is on our channel, Bent on Bike Trails.
Had a great time. Gradual upgrades.
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.
Rode from Evans Creek trailhead to LaCrosse and back. It was after heavy rain, so Trail was smooth, if a little heavy to pedal through. We were the ONLY people on the trail. I’m also a horsewoman, and it looks like a great trail to ride on too! The birding was fantastic. We aren’t fussy, just like a nice ride. Highly recommend. PS: if we cyclists want more rail trails, we need to use trails like this one, and visit local businesses. It might not be perfect for some, but if we want more, we need to show the economic advantages to having these trails!
I ride this trail pretty often. It's a awesome trail to ride. If you haven't checked it out you need to. It has some gourgous views of the Roanoke River and the trail is a good workout.
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