This Unique Rail Biking Experience In North Carolina Belongs On Your Bucket List

Do you love grabbing your bike and finding incredible biking trails in the Tar Heel State? The American Tobacco Trail is a rail biking experience from Durham, North Carolina. It is impossible to get bored as this route takes you by vibrant towns and quiet shaded woods. Did you know it is the first North Carolina rail trail? Set aside a day to explore your endurance and the interesting surroundings that await. Looking for one of the best rail bike tours in NC? This should make it high on your list to peddle your way through this beautiful area.

This relatively flat 21.9-mile point-to-point trail goes from Durham through Chatham County and to its southern terminus in Wake County.

It’s a 12-foot-wide paved path from mile marker 0 to 14.5, and the rest is a nice, hard pack. Make sure you download the map of the American Tabacco Trail From Durham on AllTrails and keep track of where you are on the trail as you progress through.

The best part about this trail is the many different landscapes and views, and the tree cover, which in the warmer months provides a welcome refuge from intense heat.

This great ride has about 4-5 crossings and at least three areas with water and restroom facilities.

And just look at the interesting bridges we'll cross. It always makes a trail more interesting when you can find fun things along the way and this rail trail has plenty of options for that. Weaving seamlessly between busy city life to quiet and peaceful nature scenes. This trail really seems to have it all.

The northern section of the trail from downtown to the I-40 bridge is more urban with about 10-11 street crossings.

The southern section from the I-40 bridge at Streets at Southpoint to New Hope Church Road in Morrisville/Chatham is more wooded, with the best portion in Wake County, which remains unpaved.

The dreamy swamp taps into your wildest imagination.

It follows the road in some spots.

And there are many trailheads.

So you don't have to do it all at once. Have someone park in one of the spots further down the trail and finish that way or do out-and-back sections in small bits. The next day you can pick up where you left off and go even further. The possibilities are endless and we are thankful to have such a versatile and diverse trail right here in Durham. Just remember to please be kind and watch out for others along the way who may move a little slower so everyone can enjoy this riding experience.

Pack your backpack and enjoy this one of the best rail biking tours in NC. What a great experience from Durham, North Carolina, don't you think? Have you ever been on the American Tabaco Trail From Durham before? Make sure to get the AllTrails app so you can see the map and track your progress on the trial as you go. For more information about this and this rail trail in North Carolina, visit the Triangle Rails To Trails Consevancy's website.

And before you go, pack in some donuts at a lovely little place called Monuts, you are bound to burn off on the American Tobacco Trail.