Greenway News: Pathfinders Purchase to Connect Salem, Carvins Cove

Pathfinders for Greenways is giving a major boost to the urban trail system in the Roanoke Region.

The organization purchased land near Hanging Rock in Salem that will help connect the trails there to Carvins Cove.

“It’s a huge deal to us,” said Liz Belcher, Roanoke Valley Greenways coordinator, told The Roanoke Times. “It’s an incredible connection being able to connect the greenway with 12,000 acres of Carvins Cove.”

Here’s more from outgoing Pathfinders for Greenways President Kemper Fant:

“Pathfinders for Greenways has purchased land and secured right of way to some very important property that will allow continuous trail and greenway access to Carvins Cove Natural Reserve from the Salem/Roanoke County side at the intersection of 311 and 419. This property, owned by the Hinchee family, is the southernmost tip of what continues on into the cove as the Brushy Mountain Fire Road, providing trail access on either side via trails such as Trough, Buck, Gauntlet and Hemlock Tunnel. Eventually, you will be able to travel by trail out of Carvins Cove, onto the Hinchee Trail, down Hanging Rock Battlefield Trail, maybe stop in at Parkway Brewing Company, then continue on to the Roanoke River Greenway and the network of trails it currently does and eventually will provide. Whoa!!

“All of this did not come without a lot of work by a lot of people; volunteer hours running Gallop for the Greenways and pouring beers here and there so that Pathfinders could build up the funds to finance this purchase and donate it to Roanoke County to include in their park inventory. …

“In the meantime, thanks for all of the generous support from throughout the communities that our trails and greenways serve. Without the efforts of SO many, this would not have ever been possible.”

The new section of greenway won’t open for a little while yet and this route is not open to the public. There is still private land along the proposed route; please do not jeopardize right of way negotiations with other landowners.

But, if you want to be invited to the first public hike/ride on the trail, planned for January 2019, donate to the Hinchee Trail at www.greenways.org so Pathfinders will know to invite you.