About the Webmap
The webmap of the Tobacco Heritage Trail shows information about the trail, including the following:
Trailheads – These locations are main entry points for the trail. Typically, they offer parking areas and may contain amenities such as restrooms and picnic tables. Clicking on the trailhead point or area on the map will bring up information about that trailhead, including its address (with link to Google Maps for navigation), milepost (see below information about mileposts), and information about parking and trailer parking. A picture may also be attached.
Access Points – Locations to access the trail that typically do not include parking areas. Click on the access point to reveal its address (with link to Google Maps for navigation) and milepost information (see below for information on mileposts). A picture may also be attached.
Trail Route – Shows the route of the trail. Click the trail segment to learn about the surface, length, opened/closed status, whether it is off-road/on-road, and other information.
Access Road/Path – In some places, there is an access path or road needed to get to the trail from a nearby road or restroom. Click for information including length.
Other Trail Destinations – Points on the trail that serve as a destination on their own. Currently, this includes the overlooks at the Meherrin and Dan Rivers.
Local Trail – A non-THT trail located near the Tobacco Heritage Trail that users may want to explore (currently only in Victoria).
Other Information – This map will display important information as needed, such as trail closings during hunting season.
The webmap allows you to turn layers on and off, change the background basemap (options include aerial photo, topo map, street map, and more), use measuring tools to estimate a distance or area, zoom to specific areas using bookmarks, print basic maps, and share the map to others. For more information, see the Help Document.
About Mileposts on the Webmap
On the webmap, Trailheads and Access Points are given Milepost numbers to help you gauge distances along the trail. Since the current Tobacco Heritage Trail is utilizing three railroad rights-of-ways that do not easily intersect or correspond with each other, there are several sets of milepost numbering systems designated by letters. They are as follows:
A – From Lawrenceville westward to South Hill: This section of the trail follows the abandoned Atlantic & Danville Railway that later became the Norfolk, Franklin, and Danville Railway, then the Norfolk & Western Railway (NS). Milepost zero is located at Brooks Crossing just east of Lawrenceville, but the segment between there and South Street (MP 1.7) has not been constructed yet. The segment constructed in Boydton is also on this abandoned right-of-way, and as such, carries milepost numbers in the same sequence.
S – South Boston western into Halifax County: Milepost numbering of this section starts at zero at the Cotton Mill Park trailhead. The trail heads in a generally westward direction from there. It follows what was once the Richmond & Danville Railroad, that later became the Southern Railway, and then a part of Norfolk Southern.