American Tobacco Trail
American Tobacco Trail
4.5
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
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4.5
120 reviews
Excellent
75
Very good
38
Average
4
Poor
3
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0
Brian T
Durham, NC20 contributions
Jun 2012 • Solo
I don't know which one attracts the other, but railroad tracks and seedy neighborhoods seem to go hand in hand. If you take an abandoned railroad track and turn it into a bike trail, that doesn't really do anything about the seedy neighborhood it runs through.
I got on the American Tobacco trail at a quiet suburban park and started peddling. In just a few minutes, I was in a part of town where I normally wouldn't go without a squad of Marines. I saw an interesting variety of emotions on the faces I passed. Some were sizing me up like prey. Some were filled with class or racial resentment. None were friendly or even neutral.
I made a U turn and got my butt out of there. Honestly, I have rarely felt so threatened.
I got on the American Tobacco trail at a quiet suburban park and started peddling. In just a few minutes, I was in a part of town where I normally wouldn't go without a squad of Marines. I saw an interesting variety of emotions on the faces I passed. Some were sizing me up like prey. Some were filled with class or racial resentment. None were friendly or even neutral.
I made a U turn and got my butt out of there. Honestly, I have rarely felt so threatened.
Written May 21, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sohanm601
Morrisville, NC8 contributions
Oct 2015 • Solo
Last Sunday I covered the whole American Tobacco Trail hiking alone. I am a 59 years young, hiking enthusiast, nature loving man and a visitor here. I was introduced to the trail by a friend and we had a short walk of 8 miles on the trail about 4 weeks back. I liked the trail so much that I immediately decided to cover it end to end in a single day after the required preparations. On last Sunday I started from the southern trailhead (New Hill-Olive Chapel Road) at 08:00 AM and reached the northern trailhead (ATT 0.00) at the crossing of Morehead Ave. and Blackwell St. (Durham) at 05:00 PM. I took a midway break for about 1.5 hours during which I had an enjoyable picnic (lunch) with my family and took some rest at CM Herndon Park, at the crossing of the trail & Scott King Road.
I thoroughly enjoyed the whole walk of 22.3 miles. It was a wonderful and memorable experience. The trail is well maintained with paved and smooth crushed rock surfaces having marking at every 0.25 mile. There were quite a few rest rooms in the first half but I could not find any in the second half of the trail. All the road crossings are well marked and quite safe. Start of fall colors at many locations was wonderful to see. There is a worth seeing Exercise Station, before the crossing of the trail & Scott King Road, displaying a section of rails original to the 45 mile line that ran from Duncan, NC to East Durham. The bridge over I-40 is quite beautiful and spectacular. However, it was sad to see a dead deer on the highway.
The only small worry I had before completing the walk was the information about the unsafe northern segment from the bridge over I-40 to the northern trailhead at Durham. I saw a notice also displayed at several crossings on the trail segment for being alert on the trail, carrying cell phone, walk or run with a friend and knowing your trail location. However, I could not see or feel any such unsafe condition while walking alone. Moreover, since it was a Sunday, other users of the trail, mostly bikers, were passing by me frequently which gave me confidence and I completed my walk.
Thanks to the people who created and are maintaining this wonderful trail very well !
I thoroughly enjoyed the whole walk of 22.3 miles. It was a wonderful and memorable experience. The trail is well maintained with paved and smooth crushed rock surfaces having marking at every 0.25 mile. There were quite a few rest rooms in the first half but I could not find any in the second half of the trail. All the road crossings are well marked and quite safe. Start of fall colors at many locations was wonderful to see. There is a worth seeing Exercise Station, before the crossing of the trail & Scott King Road, displaying a section of rails original to the 45 mile line that ran from Duncan, NC to East Durham. The bridge over I-40 is quite beautiful and spectacular. However, it was sad to see a dead deer on the highway.
The only small worry I had before completing the walk was the information about the unsafe northern segment from the bridge over I-40 to the northern trailhead at Durham. I saw a notice also displayed at several crossings on the trail segment for being alert on the trail, carrying cell phone, walk or run with a friend and knowing your trail location. However, I could not see or feel any such unsafe condition while walking alone. Moreover, since it was a Sunday, other users of the trail, mostly bikers, were passing by me frequently which gave me confidence and I completed my walk.
Thanks to the people who created and are maintaining this wonderful trail very well !
Written November 1, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CindyMcN
Charlotte, NC269 contributions
Apr 2021
This is an about 22 mile trail that is mostly paved and very well marked. There is only about 6 miles of gravel trail but still was fine with my bike. Took me about 2 hours to complete. There are some hills so I would say beginner to immediate.
Written April 17, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Boldfish
Apex, NC352 contributions
Oct 2019 • Couples
We’ve been in Apex for twenty years and never been here. It’s a beautiful unspoiled trail. It’s for bikes, horses and pedestrians. The trails are paved and very smooth. We were there on a Monday and met only three people. Would be a great walk for kids. Bathrooms were clean.
Written October 29, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jim & Bea
Derby, KS967 contributions
Apr 2018 • Couples
We walked this awhile ago but it remains on our go back to list, especially for riding our bicycles. Nice level, firm, trail. And long!
Written March 16, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
61tmd
Eaton County, MI1,154 contributions
Jun 2017 • Couples
Traveling here for family visit, never heard of this trail before. What little walk I did take, was very impressed. Like that it is shady on a hot day, lots of bikes, walkers, runners etc. Looking forward to a return visit to experience more of the trail.
Written June 6, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Caroline F
Raleigh, NC62 contributions
May 2016 • Couples
Part of me wants to leave a terrible review to keep people from flocking to this amazing trail, but I could never bring myself to speak negatively about it. This is by far the best biking/walking/running/nature trail anywhere. It is shaded by big beautiful trees and the fine gravel is perfect for biking or running. The terrain is varied, so you can definitely get a good workout, no matter your fitness level. The entrances off of New Hill Olive Chapel Rd, and New Hope Church Rd are my favorite - both provide ample parking and great access to the trail. The total length of the trail from Apex to Durham is 26 miles. Beware, however, that there have been numerous assaults reported on the trail in Durham - stick to the southern side near Apex!
Written May 18, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hwy1SouthNC
North Carolina141 contributions
Feb 2015 • Couples
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.
Written February 15, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dmaerz
Asheboro, NC191 contributions
Jan 2014 • Family
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.
Written May 13, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
supertheo
Cary NC18 contributions
Apr 2013
This linear park exists currently in two stretches: one rural trail section that begins near the community of New Hill in southern Wake County and ends near the Streets of Southpoint Mall just south of I-40. The section north of I-40 is a paved trail winding through suburban Durham and reaches its downtown core. A bridge over I-40 is being constructed to connect the two sections and will create a single corridor connecting the city of Durham with rural Durham and Chatham Counties, Wake County, and beyond. I believe when the bridge is completed, the connected sections will form a single trail of more than 20 miles through urban and rural areas.
Most of this trail exists on the former rail right of ways that were abandoned by the Durham Southern Railroad.
Most of this trail exists on the former rail right of ways that were abandoned by the Durham Southern Railroad.
Written May 16, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Trying to plan a 22-mile run, specifically water. Are there any water fountains on trail, and if so, where?
Written July 12, 2018
Yes, there are at least 2 places that have water on the trail.
Written September 16, 2018
billrickli
Holly Springs, North Carolina
Where is the closest entry point from Holly Springs, NC
Written May 5, 2017
Yeah the one at New Hill looks closer, especially if your starting point is to the west of Holly Springs. Otherwise taking 540 up north and going to the Wimberly Road entry point shouldn't be too far either.
Written May 6, 2017
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