Richard Martin Trail

Richard Martin Trail
Length 10.2 miles (16.4 km) [1]
Location north Limestone County, Alabama
Designation National Recreation Trail in 2010[2]
Trailheads North: Veto Road at Alabama-Tennessee state line, north of Elkmont
South: Piney Chapel Road north of Athens
Use Bicycle Riding, Pedestrian, and Horseback Riding
Elevation
Highest point 831 feet (253 m)[3]
Lowest point 662 feet (202 m)[3]
Hiking details
Trail difficulty Easy
Season all year
Sights Battle of Sulphur Creek Trestle, Town of Elkmont
Surface Crushed Rock[3]
Right of way Seaboard System Railroad[4]
Website limestonecounty-al.gov/departments/parks-and-recreation/rails-to-trails/

The Richard Martin Trail or the Richard Martin Rails-to-Trail is a multi-use rail trail open to hikers, walkers, runners, and horseback riders in Limestone County, Alabama built on an abandoned rail corridor as part of the Rails to Trails Conservancy. The 10.2 miles trail winds through wetlands, the Civil War site Battle of Sulphur Creek Trestle and downtown Elkmont, AL.

Richard Martin, local citizen and trail supporter, led the effort to build the trail for 25 years.[5]

The railroad right-of-way was abandoned in April 1986.[4] Limestone County Parks and Recreation Board (established in 1992) adopted the efforts of Richard Martin to create the trail and its trail heads. Under the Limestone County Parks and Recreation Board purview - the historic church was relocated to the northern head at Veto and parking and restrooms were built; Coffman Park parking and pavilion were built; and upgrades at the Elkmont centerpoint to include horse trailer parking, additional egress points, and trail maintenance such as grading, repair, and anti-motorized vehicle barriers.

Locations

Locations along the trails are listed in North to South order.

Description Coordinates
North Extent near Veto Road 34°59′36″N 86°59′20″W / 34.9932°N 86.9890°W / 34.9932; -86.9890 (North Extent near Veto Road)
Elkmont at Upper Fort Hampton Road 34°55′44″N 86°58′24″W / 34.92900°N 86.97331°W / 34.92900; -86.97331 (Elkmont at Upper Fort Hampton Road)
South Trailhead at Piney Chapel Road 34°50′54″N 86°58′10″W / 34.8484°N 86.9695°W / 34.8484; -86.9695 (South Trailhead at Piney Chapel Road)

See also

References

  1. ↑ Rails to Trails Limestone County Parks and Recreation. Athens, Alabama.
  2. ↑ 2010 NRT designations. National Recreation Trails. 2010-06-02. U.S. Department of Interior. Accessed 2011-06-15.
  3. 1 2 3 Richard Martin Trail National Recreation Trails Database. American Trails.
  4. 1 2 Elkmont, Alabama / Tenn. & Ala. Central Railroad. The Historical Marker Database. Accessed 2012-03-13.
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