Explore the best rated trails in Fallston, NC, whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Little Sugar Creek Greenway and Thermal Belt Rail Trail . With more than 63 trails covering 210 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.
The *Emerald Necklace* is an effort to link greenways and local streets into a continuous loop through the northern part of Mecklenburg County, primarily around Cornelius and Davidson. The concept is excellent—creating a connected network for cyclists and walkers—but the current experience is a mix of enjoyable greenway riding and more challenging on-road navigation. Your enjoyment will largely depend on your comfort level riding on streets. At some point in the future, the western portion of the system is expected to connect with a greenway extending to Huntersville.
Riders should be prepared for sections that transition onto streets, some of which are busy or narrow. There are also several crossings at high-traffic intersections that require caution. Currently, connecting the eastern and western portions of the Necklace requires riding along very busy Catawba Avenue or Sam Furr Road, which may be uncomfortable for some cyclists.
To make the experience more enjoyable, we’ve found it best to ride the Necklace in sections rather than attempting the full loop at once, thereby avoiding some of the more difficult road segments. Signage and naming can also be confusing—for example, the trail beginning at Shearer Road is referred to by different names on various maps, making navigation less intuitive. And the signs on the street along this route and small and easy to miss.
On our most recent outing, we completed an out-and-back ride on the South Prong Rocky River Greenway, traveling from Shearer Road to the River Run Athletic Field. Much of this segment follows neighborhood streets rather than a dedicated greenway. While the River Run area is quite lovely, the bike lanes are in need of repainting, and signage directing riders from one street to another is minimal or nonexistent.
Parking is available at various points along the route, but locating access points can be challenging. It is helpful to download a trail map in advance:
[https://www.carolinathreadtrailmap.org/trails/trail/south-prong-rocky-river-greenway]
The terrain in this section is notably hilly, adding an extra level of challenge to the ride.
**Overall:**
A promising and scenic concept that still needs improved signage, clearer mapping, and safer, more consistent bike infrastructure to fully realize its potential.
The 5-star reviews likely refer to the paved section at the Kings Mountain trailhead, which is an easy to moderate ride with a couple of hills and excellent amenities (restrooms, water, picnic tables). The town of Kings Mountain has done a great job maintaining this portion of the trail
The Foote Trail, however, is very challenging and I would not recommend it for biking. The surface is large, loose gravel, and diagonal railroad ties on the slopped portions make maintaining momentum difficult. The steep, rocky section along I-85 was especially tough—we had to walk our e-bikes both downhill and uphill.
Once you reach the bridge over the interstate, the trail improves significantly, becoming level with finely crushed gravel and very enjoyable to ride. The trail ends at Gilead Church Road, where there are no amenities.
Recommendation: Stick to the paved trail and the section south of I-85; skip the Foote Trail for biking.
Wife, special needs adult son & I rode about 9-10 miles of the Briar Creek Trail on a gorgeous Fall Saturday. We accessed the trail on Park Drive in Pineville & rode north to the Park Road Shopping Center, where we exited & had a good lunch at The Flying Biscuit. Trail is in great condition & was moderately crowded on this Saturday, but not so much as too feel unrideable. Good combination of cyclists, joggers, & dog walkers. This trail is a jewel for the entire Charlotte area. Look forward to riding more.
This trail the was nice but clearly intended for residents only. Businesses around it with signage stating “not trail parking.” Little to no parking access for non residents. Construction on trail but detours from the trail side are poorly marked but seem to be well marked in the residential areas surrounding. Trail is really several trails with one area not accessible to the other. Not sure why it is listed as “a” trail. Should be two. If you can access it you will enjoy it but good luck. We tried multiple points and spoke to people on it that did not have any good recommendations.
South of the parking area is the Alpine Greenway. And appears to be at least another 4 miles of additional Greenway.
From the parking area north up to Lock Mount Drive is approximately 1.8 miles each way. The Greenway also goes south for additional mileage.
The section by the schools has no good parking. The greenway is not contiguous between the schools section and the Museum section at this time.
This needs to be updated. It now goes up and past the Mint Museum.
Great Greenway trails with plenty opportunity to check out different city scape areas. Easy on/off for places to eat etc. Not too busy mid week riding. Would definitely ride it again.
This September weekend provided the opportunity to experience the Thermal Belt Trail, after learning of it several months ago. Wife, youngest son, & I had been looking forward to our first trip on this rail trail. We found a small campground near the northern terminus of the trail & planned our trip. The Thermal Belt was a very nice ride, a good mix of nature & urban corridor. We set out mid morning on Saturday 9/13 & got to Forest City around lunchtime & discovered the Copper Penny on Main Street, just a few blocks from the trail, as a great meal break. Following lunch, wife explored Forest City, while son & I completed the Thermal Belt to the southern endpoint. The only complaint I have to offer is the placement of bollards at every street crossing. Most of the bollards are a series of 2 side by side, rather than a single bollard, which seem to be the norm on most other rail trails that we've ridden. I was worried that my son, an adult with special needs would have an issue with the bollards. My concerns were realized during our return segment, when he struck one of the bollards with his trike bike, which overturned. Fortunately, he was unhurt and our ride continued. Not sure if the dual bollards were any more effective than singles, as there still seemed to be room for a vehicle to make its way onto the trail. We also were pleased to meet a Sheriff's vehicle patrolling along the trail during our ride. Trail is well paved & smooth & does have long slight uphill & downhill stretches, but not taxing at all. A very good time, we'll likely return
TrailLink is a free service provided by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (a non-profit) and we need your support!
Scan the QR code to get TrailLink on your phone
