News

Coalition completes purchase of Saluda Grade rail

By Lightning Reports, Published: June 24, 2025

A coalition working to build a rail trail along the historic Saluda Grade Railroad has officially bought the land.

On June 17, the Saluda Grade Trails Conservancy purchased the 31.5-mile rail corridor from Norfolk Southern—a major step toward building the trail. The planned Saluda Grade Trail will travel through scenic Upstate South Carolina into the mountains of Western North Carolina. The route passes through charming small towns including Inman, Campobello, Landrum, Tryon, Saluda, and Zirconia.
“For many years, people have looked at the unique communities and spectacular scenery along this rail corridor, and hoped that one day it could be transformed into a rail trail with recreational and economic benefits for the entire area," Glenn Hilliard, founder and chair of the Saluda Grade Trails Conservancy, said. 'Closing the purchase of the Saluda Grade is a wonderful achievement, and we owe our appreciation to the many partners and contributors who made this possible.”
The public is invited to attend a celebration planned for July 31 at 5:30 at the Tryon Depot at 22 Depot St. in downtown Tryon.
With the land purchase complete, trail partners are now focused on next steps. These include raising millions of dollars for construction and engaging communities along the trail in planning and design. The timeline for opening the trail will depend on many factors, including the availability of federal and state grants, which are the most likely source of funds for construction.
The Saluda Grade Trails Conservancy is a coalition formed by three local nonprofits—Conserving Carolina; PAL: Play, Advocate, Live Well; and Upstate Forever. This coalition went under contract on the rail line last summer and had one year to finalize the purchase, which is now complete. Moving forward, the Saluda Grade Trail project will be led by Conserving Carolina and PAL.
“The Saluda Grade Trail will encourage a healthy and thriving region by transforming the economies of the communities in which it passes," said Laura Ringo, executive director of PAL. "With the announcements of Time Bicycles and Boyd Cycling to locate along the corridor, this project was driving a positive economic impact before it was even purchased. And there will be more to come! In addition, choosing an active lifestyle will become easier, safer, and more convenient.”
Kieran Roe, executive director of Conserving Carolina, added: “The Saluda Grade Trail will be a valuable addition to outdoor recreation opportunities in our region. Unlike our trails way out in the mountains, this trail will go through the heart of our communities. And this trail will be welcoming to people of all ages, abilities, and fitness levels—from adventurers who bike the whole length to kids out playing after school.”
The corridor purchase cost $28.5 million and was primarily funded by allocations from the North Carolina and South Carolina legislatures, as well as a grant from the South Carolina Conservation Bank. In North Carolina, state Rep. Jake Johnson and state Sen. Tim Moffit helped secure state funding for the purchase, along with key support from Rep. Dean Arp, a champion of trails in North Carolina. The Spartanburg County delegation with support from state Rep. Bruce Bannister and former Rep. Max Hyde helped secure SC state funding for the purchase.
Rep. Johnson said: “I was born and raised in Saluda, where my family goes back generations. This is a very special region to me, as I am sure it is to many of you. I am excited for the opportunity that this acquisition offers, and glad to see so many stakeholders now at the table ensuring it is done the right way. My goal is to provide the greatest economic opportunity, while fitting the culture of our region. We still have a long way to go, as we explore the options for a passenger train, bike & hiking trails and how best to partner with towns and counties along the corridor. However, I am optimistic that working together we can create something that years from now, we will all be proud of.”

“This is wonderful news for western North Carolina and our state trails system” said Jeff Michael, deputy secretary of the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, which oversees the state trails program. “Our parks and trails contribute so much to the local communities, and after Helene, we are eager to do our part in the recovery and rebuilding. The Saluda Grade Trails Conservancy has been instrumental in the vision for this unique partnership between North Carolina and South Carolina. We are very grateful to the N.C. General Assembly and our state trail partner Conserving Carolina for making our segment of the trail possible.”

Additional funding for the purchase, as well as for outreach and planning, came from the State of North Carolina, the federal Appalachian Regional Initiative for Stronger Economies (ARISE), the Polk County Community Foundation, and private donors.

At Norfolk Southern, Cliff Garner, the assistant vice president of real estate, said "We are proud to have played a role in the transformation of the historic Saluda Grade Railroad into a vibrant rail trail. This project aligns with our commitment to supporting initiatives that help build thriving communities. We look forward to seeing the positive impact the Saluda Grade Rail Trail will have on the regions it connects."

The Saluda Grade Trail lays the groundwork for a connected regional trail network extending from Spartanburg to Brevard and beyond. At the southern end, the Saluda Grade Trail could connect to the 55-mile Daniel Morgan Trail System in Spartanburg, which is led by PAL. At the northern end, there is potential to connect it with the Ecusta Trail—a 19-mile rail trail from Hendersonville to Brevard that Conserving Carolina helped to spearhead. The Ecusta Trail and Saluda Grade Trail are also part of the vision for the Hellbender Trail network, which includes Asheville and surrounding communities.
For more information or to sign up for updates, go to saludagradetrail.org.