Roll Your Own Way on the American Tobacco Trail

American Tobacco Trail

Distance: 22 Miles

Ride With GPS Map

The American Tobacco Trail runs 22 miles through the Triangle region of North Carolina, stretching from downtown Durham south to New Hill. It’s one of the state’s most popular greenways, built along a former Norfolk Southern rail corridor that once carried tobacco and textiles through the heart of the Piedmont. Today, it’s a smooth, shaded route linking city, suburb, and countryside.

Tracing the city's core

The trail begins near the Durham Bulls Athletic Park, where brick warehouses and old smokestacks recall the industrial roots that gave the path its name. For a few miles, the route winds through the city, crossing bridges and side streets before settling into a steady, uninterrupted rhythm as it leaves the urban core. Pavement gives way to a wide, hard-packed surface of crushed granite.

South of Interstate 40, the surroundings change quickly. The trail cuts through pine forest and open farmland, passing quiet creeks and ponds. At Scott King Road and O’Kelly Chapel Road, trailheads provide water and parking, and the path remains gently graded and well-marked all the way to its southern end.

Into the countryside

Near Apex and New Hill, the route turns rural. The sound of traffic fades. Wooden bridges cross small ravines, and the tree canopy keeps riders shaded through much of the year. The southernmost section feels the most remote — a quiet finish to a trail that begins in the middle of one of the Southeast’s fastest-growing metro areas.

The American Tobacco Trail is well maintained, with clear signage and regular rest areas. Because of its accessibility, it can get busy on weekends, especially near the northern end, so early morning or weekday rides are the best times for a steady pace.

Spring and fall bring the most comfortable riding, though even in summer, the shaded stretches stay relatively cool. A light rain can soften the unpaved portions but rarely makes them impassable.

From Durham’s historic warehouses to the quiet woods near New Hill, it’s a ride that moves from city to countryside in a single satisfying ride.

Trail or road, these shoes will treat your feet right!

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