american tobacco trail

Love the American tobacco trail. Have been running on there for years. Great place if your starting out cycling and don't want to be on main roads.

The trail was built on the old railroad bed that the American Tobacco Co. used primarily to move cured tobacco from the rural areas to be processed in Durham. It is an excellent place to walk, run, bike, or ride a horse. At least two of the parking areas can accommodate horse trailers. You can get details on the website. We have never had a problem on the lower section (New Hill/Apex to just below South Point, but there have been issues on the Durham side of I-40.

Experienced cyclists will be bored but great place to bring little kids to get out of the house and ride, or if you don't like mountain biking or serious road riding, good place to ride on smooth trails. Can go as far or as little as you want.

We love the American Tobacco Trail, and visit one of the many segments regularly. It is a wide, flat trail laid over an abandoned railroad bed, stretching from western Wake County to Durham. The trail is open to walkers/hikers, bicyclists and equestrians. There are several access points with parking, and restrooms at some. The southern portions of the trail (in Wake county) are packed gravel, while further north the trail is half paved/half packed gravel, and other parts are fully paved. We stick to the southern parts of the trail, and avoid Durham, however, since it is far from our home, and because of assaults on the trail near Durham - rare but they have happened despite extra patrols. That, and lack of restrooms at many parking areas, mean I can give the trail only 4 stars vs 5.

Went for a hike on The Trail with a few dogs and a few friends today. The air was crisp and the trail was not too busy. A few other pups, peeps and bikers were there. The trail is well maintained and is an easy walk with no hills or obstructions. There are several places to park and get on the trail and easy access from the trail heads. I have heard that there were some car break ins so take your valuables with you or lock them up in the truck before you get there. The trail is very safe and usually fairly well used. There is an old tobacco building around mile marker 4 or so. It has an historic marker and info panel along the trail that explains how it was used when the trail was used to bring tobacco to market. Interesting!

My husband and I came here a few years ago for a hike. It was nice and parts of it are paved. Although, this place is not very safe after dark. I wouldn't recommend going alone.

When trying to decide what to do on the up coming holiday weekend..we decided to go hiking on the American Tobacco Trail since it was 5 miles from my house and the boyfriend was over for the weekend. The tobacco trail is a former rail passages that has been taken over and repurposed as a hiking trail that runs 20 miles to nearby Durham. It is open for hiking. bikes, jogging, and horses. The pathway is nice and even making great for everyone. There is lots of shade so even on the hottest days..your walking wont be unbearable. The trail is well mainitained and lots of things to look at. My boyfriend enjoyed jogging while I was enjoying photographing everything. There are several bridges..wide up spaces..and creeks. There is a parking lot at the entrance. There are also bathrooms and guide maps. There are mile markers to gauge your progress. We walked 4 miles which was a great walk. The path is a great place to bring the whole family. Just watch out for snakes. We spotted a simple green snake along the path and we made an agreement that it would let me pass and in return I would take his picture!

great for an offroad run. Please be prepared for the humidity, so bring water or/and electrolyte drinks.

The trail is open from Apex to Durham. We spent the day on a 50+ mile round trip bike ride. A perfect way to spend the day with my wife!

We came to the American Tobacco Trail on two occasions this past winter for walking/hiking. We had a group of six boys and on girl with us and we enjoyed hiking 20 miles of the trail The surface is in good condition with mixed surface (gravel and paved) on part of the trail and all paved on the other section. The bridges are well built and maintained. The quick access to some parks allow for restroom and water breaks. This is an enjoyable trail for hiking, running, biking, and horseback riding. We will be back with our bikes soon.

We usually park at the Wimberly Road parking area. I ride the bike 8 - 10 miles while my wife walks. The Apex potion of the trail is very scenic and safe. Their is almost a northern aura about the trail as very few walkers, bikers or runners make eye contact.

The trail is well maintained and great for walking, jogging, or biking. If you start at the south end, it is a long gradual uphill grade. Very peaceful with lots of natural beauty. Busier on the weekend as would be expected.

As for many others, this is a reclaimed railroad bed. I believe it extends about 24 miles from Wake county outside of Apex to into downtown Durham. I've ridden mainly the southern portion. Level crushed stone wide trail. Southern portion goes over some swamp areas with visible beaver damns etc. Public areas at various points with restrooms etc. So far always has seemed safe and it is well used. Downside? After heavy rains the crushed stone path will have some areas of not-so-good drainage and therefore a bit messy to bike through. Moving into Durham county trail is asphalt paved. Some very mild grades...but good for aerobic workout biking. Trail is shared with walkers, kids, dogs, and occasionally horseback riders (only animal on the trail that doesn't pick up after itself!)

Used this trail many times and started different places. I love the paved sections for biking. This entire trail is tremendous.

I went over the new bridge over I-40 and rode the northern section for the 1st time yesterday into downtown Durham. I loved being able to finish my ride with a vegetarian burrito bowl and cold beer at the new Moe's Southwest Grill at American Tobacco. This location has $2 Rolling Rock pints.