Chattahoochee Valley Railroad Trail
Sunday, August 11
On Alabama's eastern border, nestled amid gentle hills that overlook the mighty Chattahoochee River, is a cluster of four small textile mill towns—Shawmut, Langdale, Fairfax, and Riverview—all on the National Registry of Historic Places. In 1980 these villages incorporated as the city of Valley, a community of nearly 10,000 residents.
The Chattahoochee Valley Railroad served the region for nearly 100 years, carrying passengers, cotton, cloth, and supplies. But the trains stopped running in 1992, and in 2000 this corridor became a rail-trail that winds past the communities and historical sites.
Our route begins at the Historic Langdale Farmers Market. On the trail, we’ll pass several historical properties and bridges—most notable is the Langdale Mill off the east side of the trail. Plans are underway to house shops and a conference center in the mill, which was originally built to stimulate the local economy following the Civil War.
Continuing south, the trail parallels local roads, passing the 1917 Fairfax Depot, today a museum (restrooms available). At Columbus Road a short section of the trail heads right (south); however, you can turn left (north, across 20th Ave.) to finish the last mile of the trail, passing through fragrant pines to Riverview along the Chattahoochee.
A half–mile away on residential roads we’ll reach a local park on the Chattahoochee River, then turn around to head back to the start. At the end of the ride you may want to cross the highway and ride 1.5 miles on the Trail to the northern trailhead in the Shawmut community.
Please be ready to ride on time. At the start of the ride Jason Williams, a member of the City of Valley Historic Preservation Committee, will tell us about the Langdale Mill. Farther down the Trail he will meet us at the Fairfax Depot museum and describe the history of the mill towns along the Trail.
Date: Sunday, August 11
Time: 9:00 AM Central / 10:00 AM Eastern at the Historic Langdale Farmers Market.
Road Conditions: All paved, any bikes/tires will do. The ride is about 12 miles total.
Bring: Lights. Water. Treasure for lunch, if you like.
Directions to Historic Langdale Farmers Market (A half–hour drive from Auburn/Opelika).
GPS: 32.815570, -85.170667
Apple Maps | Google Maps
From Auburn/Opelika:
I-85 N to Exit 77 (Valley and Lanett).
Right onto Fob James Dr. 2.6 miles to 20th St.
Right onto 20th St. 400 feet to 59th St. E.
Left onto 59th St. E and into the Historic Langdale Farmers Market parking lot on your right. Say "Hi" to Rusty on the Trail.
Sunday, August 11
On Alabama's eastern border, nestled amid gentle hills that overlook the mighty Chattahoochee River, is a cluster of four small textile mill towns—Shawmut, Langdale, Fairfax, and Riverview—all on the National Registry of Historic Places. In 1980 these villages incorporated as the city of Valley, a community of nearly 10,000 residents.
The Chattahoochee Valley Railroad served the region for nearly 100 years, carrying passengers, cotton, cloth, and supplies. But the trains stopped running in 1992, and in 2000 this corridor became a rail-trail that winds past the communities and historical sites.
Our route begins at the Historic Langdale Farmers Market. On the trail, we’ll pass several historical properties and bridges—most notable is the Langdale Mill off the east side of the trail. Plans are underway to house shops and a conference center in the mill, which was originally built to stimulate the local economy following the Civil War.
Continuing south, the trail parallels local roads, passing the 1917 Fairfax Depot, today a museum (restrooms available). At Columbus Road a short section of the trail heads right (south); however, you can turn left (north, across 20th Ave.) to finish the last mile of the trail, passing through fragrant pines to Riverview along the Chattahoochee.
A half–mile away on residential roads we’ll reach a local park on the Chattahoochee River, then turn around to head back to the start. At the end of the ride you may want to cross the highway and ride 1.5 miles on the Trail to the northern trailhead in the Shawmut community.
Please be ready to ride on time. At the start of the ride Jason Williams, a member of the City of Valley Historic Preservation Committee, will tell us about the Langdale Mill. Farther down the Trail he will meet us at the Fairfax Depot museum and describe the history of the mill towns along the Trail.
Date: Sunday, August 11
Time: 9:00 AM Central / 10:00 AM Eastern at the Historic Langdale Farmers Market.
Road Conditions: All paved, any bikes/tires will do. The ride is about 12 miles total.
Bring: Lights. Water. Treasure for lunch, if you like.
Directions to Historic Langdale Farmers Market (A half–hour drive from Auburn/Opelika).
GPS: 32.815570, -85.170667
Apple Maps | Google Maps
From Auburn/Opelika:
I-85 N to Exit 77 (Valley and Lanett).
Right onto Fob James Dr. 2.6 miles to 20th St.
Right onto 20th St. 400 feet to 59th St. E.
Left onto 59th St. E and into the Historic Langdale Farmers Market parking lot on your right. Say "Hi" to Rusty on the Trail.