State: NC Length: 0.5 miles Surface: Asphalt
The half-mile 8th Street Greenway begins at North Loop Road and follows a tree-lined northwesterly route to Baker's Creek Park, where it connects to a trail of the same name. The pathway is paved, wide and flat through a peaceful area, making for an easy and pleasant trip.
State: NC Length: 2.88 miles Surface: Asphalt
The Avon Creek and the Catawba Creek greenways run through wooded and open areas among both undeveloped and residential neighborhoods. The trail begins at Lineberger Park (700 East Garrison Boulevard) and heads southeast to Robinwood Road, just north of the Catawba Creek Bridge (near the National Guard Armory/Southeast Recreation Center). The Avon Creek Greenway and Catawba Creek Greenway combine to form 2.88 miles of paved trails, with many access trails. There are no major at-grade highway crossings.
State: NC Length: 1.4 miles Surface: Asphalt
The paved, scenic Baker's Creek Greenway follows its eponymous creek, connecting two parks in central North Carolina's Kannapolis. The trail is part of the Carolina Thread Trail, a network of pathways across 15 counties in North and South Carolina. At its southern end, Village Park offers a playground, covered shelters and a splash pad. Nearby, you'll also find the Cannon Memorial YMCA, offering other recreational amenities. The trail ends in Baker's Creek Park, which has restrooms, picnic areas, basketball and tennis courts, a playground and a miniature golf course. Here, at West A Street, you can continue your journey on the half-mile 8th Street Greenway to North Loop Road.
Rail-Trail
State: NC Length: 1.8 miles Surface: Asphalt
The Belmont Rail Trail is scheduled for construction in fall 2013, with a planned opening set for fall 2014. Paralleling Main Street for much of its route, the asphalt trail will connect Belmont Abbey College (located just off Woodlawn Avenue) with the city's historic downtown on Glenway Street. The Belmont Rail Trail is being built within the right-of-way of an inactive rail corridor owned by NCDOT Rail and originally built by the Piedmont and Northern Railway in the early 20th century. An existing railroad trestle crossing I-35 will be converted for pedestrian use. Once complete, the Belmont Rail Trail will be part of the larger Carolina Thread Trail system, which seeks to preserve open space and link regionally significant trails and cultural sites in North and South Carolina. Although still in the design phase, the significance of the Belmont Rail Trail is already being recognized: In early 2013, CaroMont Health (the local healthcare provider) contributed $100,000 in recognition of the potential for a dramatic improvement in the area's quality of life due to the future trail.
State: NC Length: 3.3 miles Surface: Asphalt, Concrete
Take a trip down memory lane by strolling or cycling the Charlotte Trolley Rail-with-Trail. This 2-mile trail follows the Charlotte Trolley as it tootles its way from E. 9th Street in Uptown to Clanton Road in the historic South End. The original trolley line closed in 1938. Luckily, a University of North Carolina history professor was able to track down the last trolley—No. 85—and this piece of history is now back in service on the rail-with-trail, along with three replica trolleys. As the trail traverses the city streets from Uptown, it passes the popular ImaginOn children's learning center and Charlotte Bobcats Arena before leading directly through the Charlotte Convention Center. If the center is closed, or you're biking the route, you must go around the block (right on East 2nd, left on South College, left on East Stonewall), then either climb the stairs or take the elevator in a parking garage across the street to rejoin the trail. The South End (www.historicsouthend.com) hosts both the Charlotte Trolley barn and museum at Atherton Mill (www.charlottetrolley.org), as well as the popular South End Gallery Crawl, held the first Friday of each month and during which trailside art galleries open their doors for browsing, music and hors d'oeuvres. The entire route is fairly well marked, and trash receptacles, benches, bike stands, and streetlights line the way. And once you've walked the trail in one direction, you can catch the trolley back. The Charlotte Trolley Trail was featured as a Trail of the Month by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy.
State: NC Length: 1 miles Surface: Dirt, Gravel
A trip along the Gold Hill Rail-Trail through this historic village will transport you back to a time when North Carolina was the country's only gold-producing state. Signs posted every few hundred feet along the mile-long dirt and gravel path detail the history of mining in the state. While gold was unofficially discovered here in 1799 by a 12-year-old boy, in its glory days Gold Hill was the richest mining property east of the Mississippi. The trail begins about 100 yards past the junction of St. Stephens Church Road and Baptist Church Road. There's no sign or even a clear path to indicate that the strip of grass along the road is a trail, but if you want the full history lesson, park at St. Stephen's and backtrack to this point. On the route back to your car, you'll pass the old Randolph Shaft, a miner's field, the powder house and the assay office, where miners staked their claims and weighed their gold. Just past the assay office is the first historical marker. Cross the street here to join the clearly defined gravel trail. Much of the onward trail passes through forest, so keep watch for wildlife, such as deer and broadtail hawks. There are a few swampy patches; be prepared for a muddy trek if you visit following a rainstorm. End the trail at the old Union Gold and Copper Mine site in Cabarrus County. The view of the ruins is almost breathtaking. Hikers must stay on the trail so as not to trespass on private property. Back in the village, check out the various historic buildings that have been restored as cafés, antique shops and museums.
State: NC Length: 2.06 miles Surface: Asphalt, Concrete, Gravel
The Irwin Creek and Stewart Creek Greenways cover 2.09 miles of trail alongside their namesake creeks in Charlotte's city center. The Irwin Creek Greenway begins at Ray's Splash Planet and travels through Frazier Park and the Wesley Heights neighborhood. Around I-77, the trail becomes Steward Creek Greenway and continues to the Phillip O. Berry Recreation Center. The greenways link surrounding neighborhoods to parks with picnic areas, playing fields and playgrounds. They also connect to a designated city bike route at 4th Street, used by many bicycle commuters. The greenways pass through three tunnels and take in a long line of sycamore trees at Sycamore Street. You can also access the Children's Memorial Walkway and Garden in Frazier Park. Amenities include Gateway Village, Johnson & Wales University, Ray's Splash Planet (with public art), Frazier Park, Phillip O. Berry Recreation Center and Seversville Park.
State: NC Length: 4.3 miles Surface: Asphalt, Gravel
Kings Mountain Gateway Trail is situated in a beautiful natural park setting offering a picnic shelter, restrooms, drinking fountains, and parking. Much of the park is heavily wooded and the trail is suitable for hiking and biking. The trail travels through property that was once used for mining and, along the way, you will see two hills made of rock removed from the old quarries.
State: NC Length: 5.9 miles Surface: Asphalt, Concrete
The Little Sugar Creek Greenway, part of the Carolina Thread Trail, runs along eastern Charlotte and will one day stretch more than 15 miles down to the Catawba River in neighboring South Carolina. As of 2012, the trail offers four completed sections:
State: NC Length: 1.7 miles Surface: Asphalt
The Marcia H. Cloninger Rail-Trail, known locally as the Lincolnton Rail-Trail, offers a chance to search the heart of this small Southern town, highlighted by a stately courthouse, model Main Street, thriving arts scene and nearby lakes and mountains. Once an eyesore covered in kudzu and debris, the former Norfolk Southern Railroad corridor is now the pride and joy of "Lovable Lincolnton." From the old railroad depot at Pine and North Poplar streets, two blocks north of Main, the trail meanders through town, briefly sharing its corridor with an active railroad line. Expect to encounter both locals and visitors out for exercise or on a break from the specialty and antique shops. The smooth, paved trail is especially popular with inline skaters and parents pushing baby strollers. Benches line the route, inviting you to pause and take in this enchanting town and trail. As of September 2012, a new half-mile section is under construction that will connect the trail with the Betty G. Ross Park and City Park. The new segment is expected to be completed by mid-December.
State: SC Length: 2.3 miles Surface: Asphalt
The Piedmont Medical Center Trail (formerly the Riverwalk Trail) stretches just over 2 miles through Rock Hill near the border between North and South Carolina. The paved, wooded trail closely hugs the western shoreline of Catawba River and traverses the mixed-use community of Riverwalk.
State: NC Length: 1 miles Surface: Concrete
The 1-mile Troutman Rail-Trail runs from Troutman's business district to a newer north end shopping area, following the former rail bed of the Statesville to Charlotte Norfolk Southern Line. The rail-trail lies between US 21/SR 115/Main Street and Eastway Drive, and trail users will find benches along the route.