Longleaf Environmental Consulting - Asheville

01/15/2026

09/10/2025

07/19/2025

It's official! The Saluda Grade Trail coalition has purchased the Saluda Grade Railroad. Our vision is to create a new 31.5-mile rail trail that runs from Upstate SC into the mountains of Western NC, passing through charming small towns along the way.

And now we have the land! There is still a lot of work ahead. We'll need to work with our communities on design and planning so we can create the best version of the Saluda Grade Trail. And we will need to raise millions of dollars for construction, before we can start building.

But this is a huge milestone and a day to celebrate!

A huge thank you to the funders who made it possible! Funding came from the states of North and South Carolina, the South Carolina Conservation Bank, the federal Appalachian Regional Initiative for Stronger Economies (ARISE), the Polk County Community Foundation, and private donors.

This is a big day for all of the Saluda Grade Trail partners - Conserving Carolina, PAL: Play Advocate Live Well, and Upstate Forever.

Learn more at saludagradetrail.org