The Dan River Basin Association’s (DRBA’s) First Saturday Outing in April is an approximately 3.5 mile hike on the Paw Path and the Dick & Willie Passage Trail (D&W) starting from the river access at the Smith River Sports Complex in Axton, VA (Henry County).
The outing is set for April 4, at 10 a.m., weather permitting.
This hike is a moderate out and back, first on the natural surface Paw Path from the river access to the paved D&W along the Smith River and Mulberry Creek. Outings and meetings of the Dan River Basin Association are open to the public without charge.
The Smith River Sports Complex (SRSC) is a 90-acre multi-use facility developed by the Southern Virginia Recreation Facilities Authority to serve the community and also boost local tourism and the economy with diverse sports. As well as sports fields, it offers a golfing range, a river access, fishing decks, picnic tables, a festival field with a stage, natural surface trails and a connection to the Dick and Willie Passage Trail (D&W). The SRSC officially merged with Henry County Parks and Recreation in 2023.
We will park in the river access area then start our walk on the Paw Path, a natural surface trail that was designed with dogs in mind. It is mostly flat, 0.5 miles long and runs alongside the Smith River. It features many engaging canine activities such as a fire hydrant and a balance beam. Along this path we will pass the Paw Park, a members only, fenced, off-leash dog park offering a natural wooded trail for dogs to explore. Also along the Paw Path we will see a collaborative conservation project by the Martinsville & Garden Study Clubs featuring the trail lined with native plants (over 300 plants from 50 species) to support pollinators, with educational signage, insect hotels, and bird houses built by students. At the end of the Paw Path we will access the D&W.
The D&W is a paved trail winding through the City of Martinsville and Henry County. The original 4.5 mile portion from Virginia Avenue to Mulberry Creek Overlook opened in 2010. Since then 2 additional phases have been added to take the trail from Mulberry Creek Overlook to Spruce Street and from there to the SRSC to make it a total of 10.7 miles long. The portion we will walk will start from the end of the Paw Path, follow the Smith River and Mulberry Creek to the Country Club Drive Trailhead and back. It is mostly flat along the Smith River, then a few short hills as it turns to follow Mulberry Creek. On the D&W you will see a mix of natural beauty – the beautiful Smith River, lush forest scenery, wildlife such as deer, birds, and turtles, wildflowers, benches, and a generally peaceful, paved path perfect for walking, biking, and enjoying the outdoors.
“Since I don’t own a dog, I walk the Paw Path to enjoy the native plants. I also walk this section of the D&W regularly and never tire of the beauty. In most places it is lined with trees making it a perfect temperature for walking, shady in the summertime but sunny in the winter when the leaves are off the trees,” says FSO coordinator, Ellen Jessee.
Participants should dress in layers, wear hiking shoes or boots, and bring hiking stick(s), lunch, and water. All participants will be required to sign a wavier.
For more information, contact the outings coordinator Ellen Jessee, 276-734-1317, ejessee105@gmail.com.
