Explore the best rated trails in Gastonia, NC, whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Highland Rail Trail and City Walk . With more than 63 trails covering 192 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.
I got to the southern end of this trail early Saturday to begin riding it. I should have read the other reviews. The parking area is closed. So I drove up the Carolina Place Mall area and started at the Hwy 51 crossing pedaling north. It was a GREAT ride! The trail was nice just about everywhere. There were a few spots with mud/sand from the creek flooding but not too bad. I made it about 8 miles up to Hillside Ave behind Park Road Shopping Center and then headed back. Next time I will start here and continue north. Eventually I will catch that southern part. My goal is to eventually bike the whole trail. So far it has been great.
The finished parts are lovely and shaded. There are many segments in busy roads with no bike lanes or sidewalks.
I’m finally learning how to connect the seemingly never ending mess of greenways together to get decent mileage. I stumbled across Toby Creek when accessing the Mallard Creek greenway from the Kirk Farm parking lot. It’s a nice, albeit short, greenway that runs through the UNCC campus before hitting University Blvd. To keep this concise I will just say this - this section can be dangerous. We were met with a deranged man screaming expletives while menacingly holding a machete upon our return trip. He must have seen us cross the first time and waited in the woods for us to come back and got way too close for my comfort with that weapon. The police have been notified but please remain vigilant and carry something to protect yourself as I did have a hold time of almost 10 minutes when calling 911.
Trail parking is NOT available at the south end of this trail, marked on the trail map as 3190 Gilroy Rd, Fort Mill, SC. The parking lot has been blocked off by the subdivision it is located in.
Northern parts of the trail around Charlotte are under construction. Diversion signage is inadequate. Lots of 1" to 2" mud sections on Northern part of trail after some heavy rains.
Ran this trail for a 6 mile run. Beautiful, peaceful and lots of shade on a hot day. One of my favorite runs I’ve done. There are some good climbs as well.
So far this one has been our favorite! Love looking at the creek as it follows the path. The asphalt was well maintained and most of it is shaded. It has some cute artwork along the way. Riding into Charlotte/Freedom Park was pretty. We wish it was completed. And we had a hard time finding a place to stop to eat. We tried to get on at the trail head at Gilroy Drive (in a residential neighborhood) that was listed on the route map and found it chained off and picnic tables in the parking lot. If it is a private spot it should be listed as so on the map. Other than that, it was a very enjoyable ride!
We were camping at Yogi Bear Resort in Bostic, NC and drove m trike and husband’s bike to the trail. It is a very nice trail, with well maintained, wide asphalt paths. More than half is shaded and through nature with the other parts parallelling roads and shops. You cross several roads but the crossings are well marked and almost everyone stopped to let us cross even when they had the right of way. Very enjoyable ride.
June 22, 2024 92 degrees Rode e-bike. Parked at Forrest Hunt School lot. Path was very wide and smooth. Great markings for traffic. Restroom and water on the trail. Lots of shade! Several restaurants along the main road. Mile 1 or north, is more rural. Some pretty views of the mountains. We enjoyed it and will be back again.
Rode this trail on June 7th, 2024 and it was an awesome ride. We started at the northern trailhead and rode 10 miles south and back. Super wide and very smooth asphalt the whole way. There were some downed trees from a Thunderstorm the night before blocking part of the trail on the way out but the cleanup crew had reopened it on our way back. So, very well maintained trail. Highly recommend.
Rode this trail on June 7th, 2024 and it was an awesome ride. We started at the northern trailhead and rode 10 miles south and back. Super wide and very smooth asphalt the whole way. There were some downed trees from a Thunderstorm the night before blocking part of the trail on the way out but the cleanup crew had reopened it on our way back. So, very well maintained trail. Highly recommend.
Rode this trail on June 7th, 2024 and it was an awesome ride. We started at the northern trailhead and rode 10 miles south and back. Super wide and very smooth asphalt the whole way. There were some downed trees from a Thunderstorm the night before blocking part of the trail on the way out but the cleanup crew had reopened it on our way back. So, very well maintained trail. Highly recommend.
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