Steel Rails to Dirt Trails: The Galax New River Trail

A Journey Begins

Stand at the Galax New River Trail trailhead, and it’s hard to imagine the place any different. It’s peaceful, quiet—just the sound of leaves rustling and maybe a cyclist coasting by. But a hundred years ago? This spot was a whole different story.

Back then, this wasn’t a trail—it was a lifeline. The Norfolk & Western railroad ran out of Galax along the Chestnut Creek extension, hauling timber, iron, and furniture to bigger markets. The trains didn’t just bring goods in and out; they brought opportunity, connection, and movement. Today, the steel rails are gone but their path remains, reborn as the New River Trail State Park—57 miles of history you can pour yourself into while enjoying your favorite outdoor recreation.

The Railroad That Built Galax

If you were approaching Galax in the early 1900s, you’d hear the town before you saw it: train whistles, steam hissing, and the steady clank of iron wheels rolling through. This was no sleepy mountain town—it was booming.

The N&W Railroad had just laid tracks to the area, and suddenly, Galax had a way to get its goods to the world. Timber from the surrounding mountains, iron ore from nearby mines, and furniture from local factories went by rail. The Galax depot sat at the center of it all, packed with workers loading freight, passengers waiting on platforms, and steam engines puffing like bulls at the gate, ready to charge.

And then? The world changed.

From Steam to Silence

Trains were king for a long time, but nothing lasts forever. By the mid-1900s, trucks and highways took over, offering cheaper, faster ways to move goods. Rail traffic slowed. The depot got quieter. By the 1980s, the trains stopped running altogether.

For many towns, that would’ve been the end of the story. The tracks get pulled up, the depot crumbles, and history fades into memory. But in Galax? Something different happened.

The New River Trail is Born

Some folks saw the old railbed and didn’t just see the past—they saw potential. What if, instead of letting the land sit empty, it became something new? A place where people could move through history at their own pace?

In 1987, the New River Trail State Park was born. The steel rails were pulled up, the gravel path went down, and the once-busy rail line turned into a scenic escape. Hikers, bikers, and horseback riders took the place of steam engines. Instead of freight cars rolling along the river, now you’ve got bridges, trestles, and wide-open views of the Blue Ridge foothills. The trail follows the same route the trains once did, winding through Galax, Fries, Ivanhoe, and Draper—only now, the only thing rushing is the New River itself.

Walking in the Footsteps of History

If you know where to look, the railroad’s ghost is still here. You can spot old trestles, rail ties, and even a restored N&W caboose at the Galax trailhead. The path still curves the way the trains needed it to, hugging the landscape like the old steam engines once did.

Further down the trail, history keeps showing up. The old Fries Junction reminds visitors of the once-booming industry that fed the trains. Over in Ivanhoe, you can still see traces of the iron furnaces that used to fuel half the region. And the tunnels and bridges? They’re more than just photo ops—they’re proof that this land was built for movement long before hikers and bikers ever set foot on it.

More Than a Trail, A Living Story

Some places hold onto history. The Galax New River Trail isn’t just some pretty path—it’s a living, breathing piece of the past. It tells the story of a town that adapted, a railroad that transformed, and a path that’s still leading people forward, just in a different way.

Maybe you’re a history buff. Maybe you just like a good bike ride with a side of inspiring river views. Either way, this trail has something for you.

So next time you’re in Galax, don’t just glance at the historical marker and move on. Step onto the trail. Stand on an old trestle. Follow the path where the trains once ran. Because history isn’t just something you read about here—it’s something you can still walk through.

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Wayne Jordan is a Galax-based writer and storyteller. His Scots-Irish ancestors settled in the Blue Ridge Mountains in 1760, and he has deep roots there. The author of four books, Wayne is a retired Senior Editor for WorthPoint Corporation, a long-time columnist for Kovels Antique Trader Magazine, and a contributor to regional newspapers and travel publications. He blogs at BlueRidgeTales.com.