The Tobacco Heritage Trail is a network of long distance recreational non-motorized trails. The trail is an important community asset by preserving a greenway, offering an attractive venue for exercise and enjoying nature, as well as, providing economic benefits. As the route winds through the Southern Virginia countryside, users are exposed to the area’s farming heritage and current agrarian and forestry practices. The trail is a key economic development component as both a community amenity — which is attractive to businesses — and through the dollars trail users will generate. Roanoke River Rails to Trails, Inc., a Virginia non-profit charitable corporation is coordinating the Trail development.
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Am curious about the future tense in use here. Is the trail open and usable or when “will” it be? I’d love to travel down to see my family’s home state and areas where they lived. We love, love our rail trails up here in MA + can’t wait to check out yours.
kendraedmonds4:
There are portions of the THT that are open. There is 2.5 miles open in Lawrenceville, VA (from Lawrenceville headed west). The Lawrenceville “phase” is part of Phase I, which was completed in December of 2009. Additionally, there is another section, also part of Phase I, that goes from Brodnax, VA to La Crosse, Va. That section is about 5 miles long.
I was on the Lawrenceville section this morning. It is absolutely beautiful. I hope you are able to visit the THT during your travels.
I rode the trail in LaCrosse this past weekend. What is the status between Brodnax and Lawrenceville? I rode a few hundred yards on the old railbed out of curiosity. Is it ok to ride down it some as it seems in fairly good condition and I am an experience mountainbiker? Thank you. It is a pretty trail.
Hi Dave:
The status between Brodnax and Lawrenceville is that it is in the preliminary engineering stage, and should be complete within the next 2-3 years for a total of 17+/- miles of THT!
It is fine to ride on the under-developed trail. It is also okay to clear brush if it is in the way.
Lawrenceville section is pretty too. It has a few bridges that are beautiful and it is very scenic in that area as well.
Thank you, the few hundred yards wasn’t so bad, and thank you. I don’t mind a few holes and it was dry, saw a flock of Wild Turkey’s. It is a beautiful trail.
You’re welcome. Would you be interested in building and donating items such as a bench or two to place along the trail, or do you know of a person/organization who would be interested in volunteering to do so?
The benches would be a nice addition to the finished part of the THT for those who walk, birdwatch, etc.
Also, if i see trees or limbs down, i will move them to the side. thank you again
That would be great. Thank you for your help!
Rode the stretch in Lawrenceville with my wife a few weeks ago. When are they going to construct the trail from Pleasant Grove to the Meherrin River? Thanks.
The Trail should be under construction by 2011 and completed by mid-2012.
I am in Keysville and my concern is “WHEN WILL NEW JOBS FOR THIS AREA ALONG THE LINES OF THE THT BE AVAILABLE?
Kathy,
That is an excellent question. Roanoke River Rails to Trails, Inc has purchased portions of the abandoned Railroad Right of Way on the Virginian Line near your area in Lunenburg County. The development and construction of the trail depends on two things: 1.) funding becoming available for construction from either Grants, local funds, donations or,foundation grants or 2.) a group of concerned citizens forming a Friends group adopting, developing,constructing, and maintaining the trail up to a RRR2T interim standards. A good example of this is the trail efforts currently going on in Victoria. Once the trail is open and trail users start coming to the area the demand for services will grow. At that time small business opportunities and job development will occur.
Virginia Tourism Corporation along with it’s partners are holding an Adventure Tourism Entrepreneur Workshop on September 29th at SVCC in Alberta. You may register for the workshop at http://www.vastartup.org/register/events/322/registrants/new
The workshop’s focus is the small business opportunities that will exist surrounding Adventure tourism and projects in the area such as the Tobacco Heritage Trail. I hope that you will attend. If you cannot, feel free to contact me at stanner@virginia.org or 434 757-7438 with any other comments or questions or the Charlotte County RRR2T’s representative P.K. Pettus.
Sandra Tanner, President RRR2T’s Inc
Saw a bear on the lawrenceville section just west of the third bridge last week. Looking forward to the two trails being linked. Had gall bladder surgery and is a wonderful trail to recover either hiking or bicycling.
Do you know when construction on the segment between Brodnax and Lawrenceville will begin? Thank you
Thank you for your interest. Final approval of the plans for Phase III is pending. We will post updates as we receive them.