CLT Trail Guide Greenways & Walking Trails in Charlotte, NC

Table Of Content

• Uwharrie National Recreation Trail
• Photo guide to hiking 12 North Carolina State Parks (updated with additional parks)
• Kings Mountain State Park – Kings Mountain National Recreation Trail
• hikes and walks in Charlotte and beyond — now with a map!
• Stone Mountain Loop Trail
• Easy Hikes Near Charlotte, NC
• Travel Guides & Giveaways!

However, beware that the trail isn’t marked and you can get lost easily as many interconnecting trails lead off to different areas of the park. The lake at the halfway mark of the loop is the highlight of the trail and a great place to relax and unwind. The US National Whitewater Center also offers plenty of other recreational activities such as whitewater rafting, canoeing, kayaking, rock climbing, rappelling, and more. There are plenty of other trails to choose from as well ranging from easy to strenuous that explore different regions of the park. The trail is open to hikers, skateboarders, bikers, and rollerbladers. Pets are also allowed on the trail as long as they are leashed.

Uwharrie National Recreation Trail

In the nearby town of Huntersville, just a 20-min drive from Charlotte lies the waterfront trails of the Latta Nature Preserve. The 16 miles of trail begins at the Quest Nature Centre where visitors can learn about the flora and fauna present in the preserve. Just over 3 miles long, the Reedy Creek Nature Preserve Trail is just a short drive away from Uptown Charlotte. Located at the Reedy Creek Nature Center, this easy hiking loop is the best way to enjoy the beauty of flowers in bloom and local wildlife. Pockets of natural spaces abound inside the city limits, providing an opportunity for outdoor adventures. And, with its location in the state's central Piedmont region, Charlotte offers easy access to some of the state's most beautiful hiking locations.

Photo guide to hiking 12 North Carolina State Parks (updated with additional parks)

The trail offers scenic views and passes through lush forests. High Falls and Triple Falls Tour is a 3.3-mile loop that brings you to three of the six waterfalls in Dupont State Forest. There is no other hike in the park that will allow you to see views of this many falls together. It is a great afternoon hike, good for older kids and beginner hikers. DuPont State Recreational Forest is a 12,500-acre state forest most known for housing High Falls and five other noteworthy waterfalls.

Kings Mountain State Park – Kings Mountain National Recreation Trail

25 Top hikes in the Charlotte area - Qcity metro

25 Top hikes in the Charlotte area.

Posted: Mon, 02 Oct 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]

On the thousands of acres, you’ll find seven miles of excellent hiking trails, McDowell Campground, and Copper Island, with more camping. The most popular trail in the preserve is the Ribbonwalk Urban Trail, a 0.9-mile easy loop that takes about 20 minutes to complete. You may also want to check out the Inner and Outer Loop Trail, a 2.1-mile loop, to see more of the park. The trail within the preserve is called the Evergreen Nature Preserve Loop, and it is a 1.8-mile-long round-trip walk through the woods. The path takes only about 35 minutes to complete and is a perfect little city escape. This trail is very popular, especially in the warmer months, for birding, jogging, and dog walking, and is perfect for small kids and families.

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hikes and walks in Charlotte and beyond — now with a map!

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Many areas of this park are extremely remote and offer peaceful, secluded hiking trails. Chimney Rock State Park is just 25 miles east of Asheville and is home to the iconic Chimney Rock, a 535 million-year-old monolith standing up above the treeline. Fun activities in Chimney Rock State Park include hiking trails, waterfalls, an animal discovery den, and rock climbing. Hanging Rock State Park is a popular state park in Stoke County, NC. This park is filled with fascinating geological features, hiking trails, camping, mountain views, and waterfalls.

Easy Hikes Near Charlotte, NC

The waterfalls are so picturesque that they were used in two movies, The Last of the Mohicans and The Hunger Games. There are over 86 miles of trails, making it one of the most accessible recreational forests in the state. Picking up at Four Mile Creek Greenway, Lower McAlpine and McMullen Creek Greenways connect to offer just over four miles one way or 8.3 miles out-and-back. You’ll walk .6 miles on a flat trail from the small parking lot directly to the rock.

Travel Guides & Giveaways!

Locals really enjoy this trail, but warn that it can get muddy after periods of rain. Check this website before you go for the latest trail status. Even though the trail is only a couple of miles long it is steep and rocky which can make it a strenuous hike. The park also offers an additional 50 miles of trails that allow hikers, equestrians, and mountain bikers to fully explore the 18,000 acres of South Martins State Park.

Elk Knob State Park is actually one of North Carolina’s youngest state parks, at just 18 years old. It’s a little over two hours northwest of Charlotte, and you’ll pass Boone on the way there. The park sits on more than 4,000 acres, and Elk Knob itself is about 5,500 feet tall, making it one of the higher peaks in the Boone area.

The Reedy Creek Park is 927 acres with over 10 miles of hiking trails. You can also find a gift shop/visitors center, fishing on the small lakes, disc golf, picnic shelters, a playground, sports fields, and a dog park. The Irwin Creek and Stewart Creek Greenways offer 3.2 miles out-and back and are connected to other trails in uptown Charlotte making it easy to extend your mileage when you’re ready. Surfaces are gravel/crushed stone, sidewalk and pavement and are shared by walkers, hikers and cyclists looking to enjoy views of the creek and wildlife.

Hikes to the peak are strenuous, but other hikes around the park are beautiful and great places to explore. Just about 50 miles north of Charlotte, in Stanley County, is the beautiful Morrow Mountain State Park, which includes 5,000 acres of the Uwharrie National Forest. Crowders to Rocktop Trail is a great way to get to the peak of Crowders Mountain. This is a 5.8-mile loop altogether and can be very strenuous at times with steep elevation gain. Visit during April and May to see beautiful wildflower blooms or during the fall to get panoramic views of the fall foliage. Shorts Lake Trail is an easy 0.7-mile loop around Shorts Lake.

Have you ever wanted to do a hike that extended across two different states? The trails take you through forested areas and to some very spectacular views of Crowders Mountain and Kings Mountain. Locals state that this is hands down, one of the best challenging hikes in the state, and is definitely worth the challenge if you’re in the mood to work hard. If you’re looking for a wonderful fall hiking trail with lots of photo opportunities, the Fall Mountain Trail at Morrow Mountain State Park is a great option.

It is a popular tourist destination, offering a variety of activities for visitors of all ages and interests. Grandfather Mountain is also a popular destination for conservationists. Charlotte has many nearby state and county parks that offer endless miles of hiking opportunities for both residents and tourists.

The Campbell Creek and Upper McAlpine Creek Greenways combine to offer an 8.3-mile out-and-back trail in southeast Charlotte, just north of the town of Matthews. These trails are popular for hiking, biking and running and are open to dogs that are on leash. This path features forest, wildflowers and wildlife sightings, so it’s great when you’re seeking peace and beauty outdoors. The Long Creek Park Trail is a 4.7-mile trail near Pfafftown, North Carolina. It is a somewhat challenging trail that loops around Long Creek Park and takes roughly 2 hours to complete.