American Tobacco Trail from Durham is a 21.9 mile heavily trafficked point-to-point trail located near Durham, North Carolina that features a lake and is good for all skill levels. The trail offers a number of activity options and is accessible year-round. Dogs and horses are also able to use this trail.
This is a long shared use path that starts in Durham and goes south for over 20 miles. There are many trailheads for this path as it crosses many roads. The trail surface spans from crushed gravel to a 12 foot wide paved path. If you plan on road biking, please consult county maps for where it is paved.
January 3, 2021
January 2, 2021Muy bueno!!!
December 13, 2020There were no labels and it got a little crowded but it was very scenic and a great workout. Lots of courteous bikers! People weren’t putting their masks on very much which was a bummer for me. But that’s not about the trail. We couldn’t find the waterfall or clear entries but it was a fun adventure.
November 28, 2020Very easy trail for people of all ages.
November 15, 2020enjoyed the trail on a friday. pretty quiet until after school in the evening very busy
November 8, 2020This is a good flat trail for putting in miles. But that's it. Be forewarned: oh the humanity (very heavily traveled). Go off-weekend/off-hours because bikers (feel they) own this trail -- they ruin the experience for hikers (and I'm sure they feel the opposite). Some sparse sense of remoteness, but mostly a long straight line in suburbrn NC.
November 5, 2020Love this trail so much, I ran it on Monday 11/02 entirely both ways. Time was 8:58.
October 13, 2020Shady, flat trail - perfect for biking, walking, and running! I love walking at this trail since it’s so conveniently located throughout Durham with multiple spots to hop on. Great trail!
September 8, 2020September 7, 2020Great trail
September 7, 2020September 6, 2020September 5, 2020August 16, 2020August 1, 2020Amazing trail adjacent to downtown Durham. they have trees surrounding most of the trail, so as long as you're not riding at high noon, you'll be in shade.
July 6, 2020This was an amazing trail! Shade provided by trees with sunlight filtering through, so it was plenty bright out, not too crowded, paved the entire way, and wide enough for 4 bikes to squeeze through side by side if 2 pairs are going opposite directions. The trail is well maintained, and it leads directly to Southpoint mall, where I got a lemonade and took a break before biking back to my car :)
July 5, 2020June 22, 2020Good trail just be sure to start after MLK
May 23, 2020One of my favorite trails in Durham! Mostly paved and not overly packed with people. Definitely check it out if you haven’t already!
May 22, 2020Great trail! Good for biking and running.
April 27, 2020Excellent trail for riding or walking. It passes through some streets with traffic so slow down and check. Paved greenway for most of the trail until the last 4 miles which is crushed stone, but it is hard packed and easy to ride
April 21, 2020Great ride
March 20, 2020February 19, 2020really enjoyed this trail. rustic & scenic
October 9, 2019I'm new to Durham and so have only explored the 5 to 8 mile segment of the American Tobacco Trail easily accessed via Fayetteville Street. Usually, I ride my beach cruiser and at other times I walk. I've found passersby to be generally courteous, some friendly and still others tacitly rude. (I can't stand being startled.) I especially enjoy the summertime tree cover which provides a welcome refuge from intense heat in the early mornings. As a semi-retired senior, I try to ride during the week day mornings when the trail is virtually vacant. It's thrilling to be out in the woods, feeling completely alone sometimes, and taking the opportunity to inhale fresh air away from Durham's multitudes of cigarette smokers. Other ladies have tried to suggest that it's not a good idea to go alone, but I'm a fearless, solo world traveler who refuses to fear anyone but the Creator. I average riding 2 to 3 times a week. Happy trails to you!! Oh, I've seen deer!
June 6, 2019February 18, 2019I walked the first 10 miles of the trail, it was great
December 7, 2018Completed the entire 22 miles. I enjoyed the Chatham County side better than the Durham side just because I like the country view much better. It was fun to see the changes in the scenery throughout the trail. I went in December and didn't have a problem on the trail. I did run across a guy smoking while sitting in the middle of the trail and I walked around him. Saw 3 men smoking weed standing just off the trail in the woods in Durham. I kept walking and made it to the finish line! (I started at the New Hill trailhead and walked to downtown Durham. I was VERY upset that alltrails didn't work on my cell phone for the last 10 miles of my hike and I couldn't record it.
August 21, 2018Mainly flat with slight grades. Can cover good miles if you have the time. Great place to cycle, run, walk, roller blade, or really any other non motorized way to get around. Nice connection to downtown Durham. Partly paved and hard packed gravel. Very nice, and fun.
July 12, 2018Have only briefly walked on this trail, but followed advice from neighbors and friends to not walk trail alone. Heading north into Downtown Durham can get rough on the path.
