View source for Longleaf Trace

{{Short description|Paved trail between Hattiesburg and Prentiss, Mississippi, USA}}
{{Use American English|date=April 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2025}}
{{Infobox hiking trail 
| name = Longleaf Trace
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| photo = Longleaf Trace - panoramio.jpg
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| caption = Longleaf Trace in Sumrall, MS (2013)
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| established = 2000
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| length = {{convert|44|mi|km}}<ref name=map>{{cite web |url=https://www.longleaftrace.org/_files/ugd/5bfc6e_d9b16d12406a42f18f4c0b67520d59e9.pdf |title=Map of the Trace |website=Longleaf Trace |access-date= October 15, 2024}}</ref>
| location = south Mississippi
| designation = 
| trailheads = [[Prentiss, Mississippi]] {{nowrap|({{coord|31.59773|-89.86642|type:landmark_region:US-MS|display=inline|name=Prentiss trailhead}})}}<br />[[Hattiesburg, Mississippi]] {{nowrap|({{coord|31.33220|-89.29259|type:landmark_region:US-MS|display=inline|name=Hattiesburg trailhead}})}}
| use = pedestrian, [[Equestrianism|equestrian]], [[rollerblade]], [[bicycle]], and electric golf cart
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| surface = asphalt
| ROW = [[Mississippi Central Railroad (1904-1967)|Mississippi Central Railroad]]
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| website = {{Official URL}}
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The '''Longleaf Trace''' is a {{convert|44|mi|adj=on}}<ref name=map /> paved pedestrian, [[Equestrianism|equestrian]], [[rollerblade]], and [[bicycle]] trail between [[Hattiesburg]] and [[Prentiss, Mississippi]], United States. Constructed in 2000, the trail follows a portion of the abandoned [[Mississippi Central Railroad (1904-1967)|Mississippi Central Railroad]] line. It has nine stations along its route (Prentiss, Ed Parkman Road, Carson, Bassfield, Lott Circle, Sumrall, Epley, Clyde Depot, and Jackson Road).

Trail access is from public-road access points only, located an average of {{convert|5|mi}} apart. In Hattiesburg there are rest stops and parking lots accessing the trail at the [[University of Southern Mississippi]], at West 4th Street, and at Jackson Road.

The slope of the trail is very gradual, rising 50&nbsp;ft/mi at the steepest accessible segment. Rest stops are provided around every two miles, and weather stops are located at reasonable distances. Mile markers ease navigating the trail.

Wildlife such as wild rabbits, [[squirrel]]s, [[raccoon]]s, songbirds, and [[deer]] can be seen along the trail. The trail also supports a variety of flora, including flowering [[dogwood]] and [[magnolia]] trees and fragrant [[honeysuckle]] and [[wisteria]]. Many of the trees between Hattiesburg and Sumrall have identification signposts.

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
* [http://www.longleaftrace.org/ Longleaf Trace website]

[[Category:Protected areas of Forrest County, Mississippi]]
[[Category:Hiking trails in Mississippi]]
[[Category:Protected areas of Jefferson Davis County, Mississippi]]
[[Category:Protected areas of Lamar County, Mississippi]]
[[Category:National Recreation Trails in Mississippi]]