Explore the best rated trails in Burnsville, NC, whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Railroad Grade Road and Thermal Belt Rail Trail . With more than 22 trails covering 113 miles you're bound to find a perfect trail for you. Click on any trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
Did the Mendota to Benhams leg today 13 miles Traveled from Natural Tunnel State Park, and the ride over in the country was great all by itself. Beautiful countryside. The shade and scenery running alongside the creek was absolutely amazing! The signs were informative along the way and those stone benches!! Now that’s a lasting legacy! This route had us going uphill slightly to Benham’s and the ride down was just a coast! Loved it…..I put it up there with the Creeper trail for beauty. You can see all the work that’s been put into it along the way with the erosion controls and borders. Well done VA!
On 7/11 a storm came through and knocked a tree over.
I started in Mendota based on other’s recommendations. It was a gorgeous scenic ride thru the forest along the river and 18 bridge crossings. Highly recommend this trail!
Nice paved trail with plenty of parking and handy facilities. Great for taking a stroll but midday on a Monday was too crowded for biking. Walkers with head phones that do not hear you ring, beep and call out and walk down middle of path. Segment by sewage processing plant wad S T I N K Y. Lots of deer ¿¿¿¿, covered bridge, river and wooded areas were very picturesque. The gravel trail to the left after the bridge led to a great off road ride through the hills. Very little traffic, cool curves and fun switchbacks. Peaceful and fun. ¿¿¿¿¿
Drove out here from Greensboro to bike. Pulled up to the closed Fleetwood post office to park in gravel lot next door. Passed 7 cars/trucks and 2 tractors on this narrow road with many blind curves mid morning on a Monday. Did not feel safe. Was not a low to no traffic road in our experience. Pivoted and went to Boone Greenway
My wife and I just completed this trail out and back. Based on recommendations, we started in Mendota and worked our way to Bristol. I’m glad we took the advice. Coming back from Bristol was a breeze as the trail was mostly downhill. The trail was well maintained with only a short section near Bristol being slightly rough because of the larger gravel that was used. Other than that, our bikes with gravel tires handled the trail well. This is one of the best trails we’ve ridden. We highly recommend it!
Just finished doing the trail from Mendota to Bristol and back. 25 miles. This is DEFINITELY the direction to take if doing a round trip ride. First 9+ miles from Mendota end are steady up hill. It’s a grunt! Once up to the top though it’s a fun coating ride to Bristol. This way on return it’s only 3 miles uphill and then 9.5 down mostly. Would’ve been much tougher starting in Bristol. Trail is a shaded mix of gravel, dirt, grass and even pavement. It’s all fine but not all a glassy paved ride. Excellent trail!!!
My wife and I enjoyed a 24-mile out-and-back ride on the Thermal Belt Rail Trail. This well-maintained trail took us through several small towns on the way to Forest City, which has a beautiful downtown with shops and places to eat. I knocked off a star for two reasons: 1) There are some areas along the trail with razor wire fencing, nothing sketchy-feeling, but definitely not scenic; 2) There are a LOT of road crossings and some of them are busy. The area has worked hard to build this trail and it will get better over time as amenities like restrooms are added at the trailheads.
Looking for a good workout? This trail will fit the bill. Some inclines to push through and lots of straightaways.
I’ve ridden this twice since Helene. Once last Fall and then again in March 2025. There isn’t much traffic since the road is closed at the bridge — which is about half way. Bikes can cross the bridge and ride around the road damage past the bridge. It would be 5 stars for scenery if it weren’t for the fact there are still cars — just fewer than normal. Helene was such a devastating storm. ¿¿Appalachia Strong!
The trail is well maintained. You are mostly riding through town. The last 3-4 miles are a little sketchy. You are riding behind and in between factories. Nice ride overall if you’re just looking for somewhere to ride your bike.
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