Description

Elevation: 999 ft.

The woodland in downtown Martinsville is composed primarily of oaks, maples and hickory with yellow poplar, sycamore and sassafras making an occasional appearance. These woods line the old railway line that winds itself through central Martinsville. As elsewhere in Virginia, the conversion of old railway lines into hiking and biking trails has been highly successful. This paved, 0.6 mile long trail is the perfect route for a light walk, run, or bike ride. It can also be used as an access point to the 4.5 mile Dick & Willie Passage Rail Trail as well as the 0.5 mile Silver Bell Trail. Birds to anticipate in the area include mourning dove, yellow-billed cuckoo, common nighthawk, chimney swift, ruby-throated hummingbird, red-bellied and downy woodpeckers, northern flicker, eastern wood-pewee, eastern phoebe, eastern kingbird, eastern bluebird, indigo bunting, eastern towhee, chipping and song sparrows, red-winged blackbird, and eastern meadowlark. Visitors in spring and fall can anticipate additional migrant passerines.

Side woodlands along the trail and their associated wildflowers support a variety of butterflies as well. These could include eastern tiger, pipevine and spicebush, swallowtails, eastern buckeye, pearl crescent, silver-spotted skimmer and eastern-tailed blue. Early risers can get a glimpse of the opportunistic raccoon or opossum as they embark on their search for the day’s meal. However, late risers have a good chance of seeing these animals at dusk as well.

Directions

Physical Address: 67707 Depot St, Martinsville, VA 24112

The Uptown Rail Trail is located in Martinsville just off of US 58 BUS.

From US 220 BUS in Rocky Mount, continue south for 2.6 miles. Slight right onto US 220 S and continue for 8.3 miles. Then, turn left (south) onto SR 618 and continue on this road for 5.8 miles. Turn right (west) onto Figsboro Rd and continue for 5.4 miles. Then, turn left (south) onto SR 174 E (Kings Moutain Rd). After 2.7 miles, slight left onto Franklin St and continue for 0.6 miles. Turn left onto Depot St and find parking and signage to the left just before Ford St.

From US 58 BUS W/Riverside Dr in Danville, continue for 6.6 miles. Then, follow US 58 W for 20 miles. Turn right onto Hooker St, right onto Fairy St, and left (west) onto Commonwealth Blvd E. In 0.6 miles, turn left (south) onto Lester St and then right (west) onto Depot St. In 0.2 miles, parking and signage will be on the left just before Franklin St.