Spring Forum Update

What’s Next for the Trail? Join Us at the April 23 Public Forum

Momentum is building for the Saluda Grade Trail—and we’re excited to share what’s next.

Communities across North Carolina and South Carolina are coming together around a shared vision: transforming the historic rail line between Inman and Saluda into a connected, community-centered trail experience. Following the successful purchase of the corridor last June, the project has officially moved into the planning phase.

Over the past year, hundreds of community members, partners, and stakeholders have helped shape this vision through surveys, roundtables, interviews, and public conversations. Now, we’re ready to share what we’ve learned—and where we’re headed next.

Join Us: Community Forum on April 23

We invite you to be part of the next chapter.

What: Saluda Grade Trail Community Information Session
When: Thursday, April 23, 2026 | 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM
Where: Polk County High School Auditorium, Columbus, NC
Learn more: www.saludagradetrail.org

This forum brings together residents, partners, and trail leaders from across the two-state corridor to share updates, answer questions, and continue shaping the future of the trail.

RSVP here

What to Expect

At the forum, you’ll have the opportunity to:

• Connect with trail representatives and project partners
• Learn about community benefits and opportunities
• Understand how to get involved as the project moves forward
• Hear directly from trail leaders about current status and next steps

This is a chance not just to learn, but to stay engaged in a project that is being built with community voices at its center.

Where Things Stand: Planning, Not Construction

It’s an exciting time—but it’s also important to understand where we are in the process.

A feasibility study completed in 2025 provides a strong foundation and professional recommendations for the trail. However, final decisions have not been made, and construction has not yet begun. Read the feasibility study here. 

Over the past year, a project team supported by an Appalachian Regional Commission ARISE grant has conducted an extensive public engagement process, including surveys, interviews, roundtables, and public meetings. Input from hundreds of residents and stakeholders is directly informing strategic plans for ongoing engagement and strengthened local economies. 

The project is currently in the planning and design phase, where key decisions—such as trail design, access points, and infrastructure—are being explored and refined.

For the South Carolina portion of the corridor, engineering and design work is underway with Seamon Whiteside. This work will help inform how the trail is developed on the ground while aligning with community priorities identified through engagement.

A Trail Shaped by Community

What makes the Saluda Grade Trail unique is not just the landscape it will connect, but the communities shaping it.

This project is more than a trail. It’s an opportunity to create a shared space for recreation, heritage, wellness, and local economic vitality—designed with and for the people who live here.

We hope you’ll join us on April 23 to stay informed, ask questions, and continue being part of this journey.