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American Tobacco Trail
4.5 ★★★★★ 57 Google reviews · Running trail in Durham, North Carolina · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Paved
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from American Tobacco Trail's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
Park offering paved trails that are suitable for children.
What runners say about American Tobacco Trail
“It's clean, full of nature, and great for little ones who might have a hard time going up big incline trails.”
What a great trail. Had both paved and packed dirt for billing or running. Cross walks well marked. Wide open spaces, easy parking and water fountains for both you and the pup. #adventurekrewe Mark this helpful if you go.
The American Tobacco Trail is a "rails to trails" trail, and as such has a very slight grade until you get to South Point in Durham. Crossing I-40 takes you up a decent hill. Lots of people know about the ATT, so it can get pretty crowded on nice days.
It's a great place to go for a walk, jog, bike ride, roller blading session etc. Flat, mostly paved former railroad bed. Old railroad spikes from the industrial tobacco era can still be found along the sides for back in the day. It's a real adventure tucked away between suburbia and the inner city.
Love this bike trail. It's clean, full of nature, and great for little ones who might have a hard time going up big incline trails.
Trail conditions & character
“Wide open spaces, easy parking and water fountains for both you and the pup.”
“Had both paved and packed dirt for billing or running.”
“Wide open spaces, easy parking and water fountains for both you and the pup.”
Plan your run at American Tobacco Trail
The practical stuff
- AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
- SurfacePaved — asphalt or concrete. Fast and predictable, runnable year-round, and fine with a stroller
- DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- At the trailheadparking, restrooms, water — reported by runners
- Stroller / wheelchairReported as smooth and step-free enough for a running stroller or a chair.
- Websitetriangletrails.org
- Social Facebook
Hours
| Monday | 7 AM–6 PM |
| Tuesday | 7 AM–6 PM |
| Wednesday | 7 AM–6 PM |
| Thursday | 7 AM–6 PM |
| Friday | 7 AM–6 PM |
| Saturday | 7 AM–6 PM |
| Sunday | 7 AM–6 PM |
Running trails near Durham
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
Southern Red Trailhead
5 ★★★★★ 1 reviews
Lake Betz Nature Trail
4.4 ★★★★☆ 52 reviews
Nature preserve offering a hiking trail and a volleyball court.
American Tobacco Trail
4.9 ★★★★★ 207 reviews
Long, scenic, 20-mile-plus trail open to hikers, bikers and runners, with shade and rest stops.