Feb 292 min read

TRAIL OF THE MONTH: E&A RAIL TRAIL

Updated: Aug 6

Forest Bathing Trail Head Sign at Grassy Creek Winery

Trailhead Location: Elkin Municipal Park | 399 NC 268 W, Elkin

Length: 2.5 - 3 miles

Difficulty Level: Easy/Beginner

Come take a walk with us at the Elkin and Alleghany Rail Trail! This is the perfect trail for when you need a mindless stroll in the park after a long day at work, an early Sunday morning hike, or catch-up session with a close friend.

What to Expect:

Go to the Elkin Recreation Center and park in the large parking lot towards the back to get the closest to the head of the trail. You will quickly see signs showing where you are and the direction to the E&A Rail Trail.

On this 3 mile, out and back, trail, you will walk alongside the Elkin Creek and walk over two large bridges. After passing the bridges you will continue on the trail until you see the restrooms and two paths. Continuing on the path to the left, you will follow that trail until you reach the fence that signifies the end of the trail.

This trial is also wheel-friendly!

Be sure to keep an eye out for the E&A trail markers to learn more about our area, and take a look into Watershed NOW, a local non-profit organization dedicated to keeping the Big Elkin Creek clean.

About this Trail:

The expansion of railroads played a significant role in shaping the transportation landscape of North Carolina in the late 19th and 20th centuries. In 1896, the North Carolina Legislature passed charters for the Elkin & Alleghany Railroad. This plan aimed to connect Elkin to Roaring Gap, Sparta, and West Jefferson. By 1917, it extended 15 miles to Doughton but ultimately declared abandonment in 1931 due to financial pressures.

Today, remnants of the railroad’s legacy endure, with the Elkin & Alleghany Ticket Office preserved as a historic landmark. Additionally, the Elkin Valley Trails Association is revitalizing the trail corridor, transforming it into an impressive rail-trail while preserving our area’s rich railroad history.