Explore the best rated trails in Hendersonville, NC. Whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Pacolet Nature Trail and Liberty Trail (Palmetto Trail). With more than 25 trails covering 74 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.
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The Doodle Rail Trail connects the towns of Easley and Pickens in the northwestern corner of South Carolina. The paved trail follows the former Doodle Line railroad for just over 8 miles and includes...
The Forrest Hunt Greenway connects Forrest Hunt Elementary School with the Alexander Mills section of Forest City, North Carolina. For more information, contact: Town of Forest City, Recreation...
The paved, 3.62-mile Point Lookout Trail follows the Old NC 10/Highway 70 route through the Royal Gorge, once known at the Central Highway, through the Pisgah National Forest. The trail ascends more...
The nearly 20-mile Greenville Health System (GHS) Swamp Rabbit Trail links the cities of Travelers Rest and Greenville in upstate South Carolina via a former railroad corridor. The Greenville Health...
The trail extends from the dam at Duncan Park Lake and courses through the park to near Union Street by the baseball stadium. The path is a gradual hill (up or down, depending on your direction of...
The Wadsworth Trail parallels Willis Road from Harmon Drive to Hawk Creek Drive, with a spur heading south along SR 42-4382/Caldwell Drive. The Willis Road portion is 1.85 miles (one way), while the...
The Purple Martin Greenway provides a beautiful community amenity in Rutherfordton. The quaint western North Carolina town was established in 1787 and has many buildings on the National Register of...
This multi-use path follows the south side of Southport Road, from Cedar Springs Road heading west to South Avenue. It passes the 295 Sports Complex, a DMV office and a water treatment plant before...
Constructed in 1981 as the city of Spartanburg's first mixed-use trail, the River Birch Trail was in rough shape, with vegetation overgrowing the route and the surface cracked and failing, until the...
The French Broad River Greenway links three of Asheville's parks: Hominy Creek River Park, Carrier Park, and French Broad River Park. The trail follows the river, coursing through a wooded strip of...
Located in the quiet, rural outskirts of Spartanburg, SC, the Glendale Shoals Trail provides a lovely path for visitors to explore some of the natural beauty of the area. The natural-surface trail...
Glens Creek Greenway is a one-mile shared use trail in Asheville, North Carolina. It stretches between Weaver Park and Broadway St. Although short, the trail connects to destinations including Weaver...
The Oconaluftee River Trail is a popular 3 mile out-and-back trail along the banks of the river of the same name. The popular gravel trail is one of two in the Smokey Mountains National Park that...
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This unique trail runs through the campus of the SC School for the Deaf and the Blind and features interpretive signs in Braille that teach trail-goers about the types of trees along the route. The...
Part of an expansive revitalization effort that the city of Spartanburg has undertaken to improve the economic and ecological well-being of the Northside neighborhood, the Butterfly Branch Greenway...
The first phase of this rail trail opened in April 2017 and provides safe and convenient pedestrian access to Lyman’s commercial center. While it is new, it is already fairly well-used. The trail...
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The Peavine Trail runs for 1.5 miles from State Street in downtown Marion, North Carolina to just south of the First Christian Church on Rutherford Road. Construction of the crushed gravel and grass...
For lovers of outdoors, the Oklawaha Greenway presents a natural escape in an otherwise suburban setting. The greenway trails Mud Creek for a big part of its length, beginning its northwesterly...
The Mary Black Rail Trail is just a short segment of what will eventually become the 12-mile Hub City Connector, which itself will be part of the larger Palmetto Trail, a proposed 425-mile trail...
The Brevard Bike Path is a relatively flat trail, nearly 5 miles long. About 1 mile (northwest end) follows the old Carr Lumber Company railway corridor and extends into the Pisgah National Forest up...
This unique trail runs through the campus of the SC School for the Deaf and the Blind and features interpretive signs in Braille that teach trail-goers about the types of trees along the route. The...
The Oconaluftee River Trail is a popular 3 mile out-and-back trail along the banks of the river of the same name. The popular gravel trail is one of two in the Smokey Mountains National Park that...
The paved, 3.62-mile Point Lookout Trail follows the Old NC 10/Highway 70 route through the Royal Gorge, once known at the Central Highway, through the Pisgah National Forest. The trail ascends more...
The first phase of this rail trail opened in April 2017 and provides safe and convenient pedestrian access to Lyman’s commercial center. While it is new, it is already fairly well-used. The trail...
This moderately difficult walk follows the bed of railroad that was never completed—the America Civil War got in the way of SC Statesman John C. Calhoun's rail dream. They did get as far as starting...
The Pacolet Nature Trail is a paved trail in the quiet rural community of Pacolet, located along the banks of the Pacolet River. The trail matches the sleepy nature of the town, providing trail users...
The trail extends from the dam at Duncan Park Lake and courses through the park to near Union Street by the baseball stadium. The path is a gradual hill (up or down, depending on your direction of...
Part of an expansive revitalization effort that the city of Spartanburg has undertaken to improve the economic and ecological well-being of the Northside neighborhood, the Butterfly Branch Greenway...
The nearly 20-mile Greenville Health System (GHS) Swamp Rabbit Trail links the cities of Travelers Rest and Greenville in upstate South Carolina via a former railroad corridor. The Greenville Health...
The Doodle Rail Trail connects the towns of Easley and Pickens in the northwestern corner of South Carolina. The paved trail follows the former Doodle Line railroad for just over 8 miles and includes...
The French Broad River Greenway links three of Asheville's parks: Hominy Creek River Park, Carrier Park, and French Broad River Park. The trail follows the river, coursing through a wooded strip of...
For lovers of outdoors, the Oklawaha Greenway presents a natural escape in an otherwise suburban setting. The greenway trails Mud Creek for a big part of its length, beginning its northwesterly...
The Wadsworth Trail parallels Willis Road from Harmon Drive to Hawk Creek Drive, with a spur heading south along SR 42-4382/Caldwell Drive. The Willis Road portion is 1.85 miles (one way), while the...
Glens Creek Greenway is a one-mile shared use trail in Asheville, North Carolina. It stretches between Weaver Park and Broadway St. Although short, the trail connects to destinations including Weaver...
This multi-use path follows the south side of Southport Road, from Cedar Springs Road heading west to South Avenue. It passes the 295 Sports Complex, a DMV office and a water treatment plant before...
The Mary Black Rail Trail is just a short segment of what will eventually become the 12-mile Hub City Connector, which itself will be part of the larger Palmetto Trail, a proposed 425-mile trail...
If you enjoy rail-trails that flaunt their railroading past, you're sure to love the Thermal Belt Rail-Trail. The pathway is paved from Gilkey to the US 74 bridge in Forest City; the remainder of the...
The Forrest Hunt Greenway connects Forrest Hunt Elementary School with the Alexander Mills section of Forest City, North Carolina. For more information, contact: Town of Forest City, Recreation...
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A natural-surface trail that runs through the gorgeous Edwin M. Griffin Preserve just outside the center of Spartanburg, the Cottonwood Trail offers a lovely path into the wooded landscape surrounding...
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In the heart of busy Spartanburg, the Liberty Trail provides a beautiful oasis through a garden, along a tree-lined brook that cascades over a series of granite steps into a pool. Although only 0.5...
The French Broad River Greenway links three of Asheville's parks: Hominy Creek River Park, Carrier Park, and French Broad River Park. The trail follows the river, coursing through a wooded strip of...
In the heart of busy Spartanburg, the Liberty Trail provides a beautiful oasis through a garden, along a tree-lined brook that cascades over a series of granite steps into a pool. Although only 0.5...
The paved, 3.62-mile Point Lookout Trail follows the Old NC 10/Highway 70 route through the Royal Gorge, once known at the Central Highway, through the Pisgah National Forest. The trail ascends more...
The Pacolet Nature Trail is a paved trail in the quiet rural community of Pacolet, located along the banks of the Pacolet River. The trail matches the sleepy nature of the town, providing trail users...
The Peavine Trail runs for 1.5 miles from State Street in downtown Marion, North Carolina to just south of the First Christian Church on Rutherford Road. Construction of the crushed gravel and grass...
Located in the quiet, rural outskirts of Spartanburg, SC, the Glendale Shoals Trail provides a lovely path for visitors to explore some of the natural beauty of the area. The natural-surface trail...
The Mary Black Rail Trail is just a short segment of what will eventually become the 12-mile Hub City Connector, which itself will be part of the larger Palmetto Trail, a proposed 425-mile trail...
The Wadsworth Trail parallels Willis Road from Harmon Drive to Hawk Creek Drive, with a spur heading south along SR 42-4382/Caldwell Drive. The Willis Road portion is 1.85 miles (one way), while the...
This moderately difficult walk follows the bed of railroad that was never completed—the America Civil War got in the way of SC Statesman John C. Calhoun's rail dream. They did get as far as starting...
A natural-surface trail that runs through the gorgeous Edwin M. Griffin Preserve just outside the center of Spartanburg, the Cottonwood Trail offers a lovely path into the wooded landscape surrounding...
The nearly 20-mile Greenville Health System (GHS) Swamp Rabbit Trail links the cities of Travelers Rest and Greenville in upstate South Carolina via a former railroad corridor. The Greenville Health...
The trail extends from the dam at Duncan Park Lake and courses through the park to near Union Street by the baseball stadium. The path is a gradual hill (up or down, depending on your direction of...
The Doodle Rail Trail connects the towns of Easley and Pickens in the northwestern corner of South Carolina. The paved trail follows the former Doodle Line railroad for just over 8 miles and includes...
This multi-use path follows the south side of Southport Road, from Cedar Springs Road heading west to South Avenue. It passes the 295 Sports Complex, a DMV office and a water treatment plant before...
Part of an expansive revitalization effort that the city of Spartanburg has undertaken to improve the economic and ecological well-being of the Northside neighborhood, the Butterfly Branch Greenway...
Constructed in 1981 as the city of Spartanburg's first mixed-use trail, the River Birch Trail was in rough shape, with vegetation overgrowing the route and the surface cracked and failing, until the...
This unique trail runs through the campus of the SC School for the Deaf and the Blind and features interpretive signs in Braille that teach trail-goers about the types of trees along the route. The...
The Forrest Hunt Greenway connects Forrest Hunt Elementary School with the Alexander Mills section of Forest City, North Carolina. For more information, contact: Town of Forest City, Recreation...
The Oconaluftee River Trail is a popular 3 mile out-and-back trail along the banks of the river of the same name. The popular gravel trail is one of two in the Smokey Mountains National Park that...
For lovers of outdoors, the Oklawaha Greenway presents a natural escape in an otherwise suburban setting. The greenway trails Mud Creek for a big part of its length, beginning its northwesterly...
My wife and I rode our tandem from the parking area off Lakehurst St up to Travelers Rest (TR) on a sunny Thursday morning. Being a weekday, there were no crowds to contend with. The trail is well kept and a pleasure to ride. Yes, the trail is a little hard to follow in the downtown area due to the many intersections with park paths - the signage still needs improvement. A map of the downtown section was helpful for us, since we were new to the trail. There is one place downtown where you will need to ride on Furman College Way (street) because the actual trail goes up steps. It's about 0.2 mile long.
As you head towards TR the trail takes a "jog" at Willard St. There are tight turns on either end of a small bridge over the Reedy River.
There are two other road crossings that require extra caution due to high traffic (and no traffic lights) - West Blue Ridge Dr ( Rt-235) and Watkins Bridge Rd.
There are many places to take a break or grab a bite in TR. The ride from Greenville to TR is a gentle uphill grade. The trail itself goes another 2.2 miles north of Center St. This section is a little hillier.
Overall, a good trail to ride on.
Newly paved with asphalt and you can smell the new wood on the
bridges. Easy ride with long sloping hills, small towns and friendly people. Could use a rest room and more benches. To find a nice motel we drove back to Asheville NC. one of my favorite towns. I will ride this trail again !
Lattie Dockery
Finished 9 miles, not bad for someone who hasn’t road a bike in 25 years.
This is in a nice area.
The trail is paved. Mostly level, has a couple small hills.
However, I found it difficult to get a good run going.
The trail is marked but still a little confusing. Some due to construction, some due to arrows on path the took the trail to a sidewalk? Another runner confused at same spot.
I asked a local who did give me advice on what way to go, which helped or I would have been even more confused on which way to go.
This should not deter you if in the area and want to get some miles in.
The entire 12 mile trail is now paved! The path is wide and level. The only annoyances are the road crossings but they are well marked. One exception is a crossing in Spindale that is very busy and perhaps needs a new design. Other than that, very nice! I love the shaded sections!
We wanted to try out this trail since we saw its beginnings in Spindale. Got on the trail near the 1 mile marker because we did not know how to get to the beginning...what intersection, etc. Parked near a church and rode our bikes to about MM 7 in Spindale. Wonderful experience. Love the grade, mostly level, but there are some places with very gradual uphill and down hill areas...but still easy for the two of us, both seniors and more...to handle. This goes right through the town of Spindale alongside the main street, so if you need a rest, pull over and take a break there. We didn't have time to go the entire route...next time!! Both shaded and in full sun at times...great views of the natural landscape north of Spindale. I recommend it highly.
Beautiful quiet trail especially during the week. The northern part near Gilky is more pastural than the southern half. There is no obvious trail head sign on northern trail entrance so you need to consult your GPS ahead of time to find it. There are no portapottys either on the northern part but if you go about a mile on the trail there is ‘johnny blue’ near the trail. Parking for about 20 cars are at the Gilky entrance.
It would be nice if you could just find an address for the start point so you could just put it in your gps. The trail is paved and flat. It’s also pretty narrow and usually busy. The trail is nice for walking, but it’s kind of tight for riding bikes.
Today was my first time riding the Swamp Rabbit (used the recumbent trike). I parked near the Zoo off of Lakehurst, lot had a lot of trees for use about all day shade. Used the parks paved trail and the signs to connect with the SR. Agree with other reviews that the signage in town might be a little confusing, the Trail is mixed in with the park's paths, but you'll want to see the sights here anyway - use the map or an app, and the way becomes clear. The connector to the lower part of the Trail will require some map reading or familiarity with G-ville.
Love the places where Greenville Spinners (local bike club) have marked the trail, and the markers for parking, restrooms, etc.
Trail was well kept, very wide in places and everyone using it respected lanes, passing, etc. It was well used by walkers, runners, bikers, saw roller-blades and a Razor scooter, but it never felt crowded. Good sight lines, no blind corners on the main Trail up to Travelers Rest. Grades were easy. Lots of shady trees. Anyone could ride this trail.
There are plenty of places to stop and rest, use the facilities, stock back up.
Like a lot of rail/trails you don't want to let a tire wander off the path. In the downtown park area you will be sharing the paths with everyone and anything - usual "pay attention" applies.
If you want to introduce someone to a rail/trail - this is a great one.
Drive two hours from northeast Georgia to give this trail a try this morning. Parked in the Pickens Depot parking area even though it isn’t officially open yet. A nice Pickens official happened to be there and gave me the thumbs up to park otherwise the overflow parking was just behind the depot. Throughly enjoyed the ride to Easley. There are some sustained railroad grades that will get your heart pumping so a cardio workout should be expected. I loved every minute of the ride and plan to go back with my wife over Memorial Day weekend another cities have done a wonderful job with their parks. Great job.
I rode the trail for the first time yesterday. The other reviews are very accurate
Positives
1. the trail has no big hills, so it is very nice.
2. it goes right through downtown Greenville so you get to go right next to the falls.
3. once you get a mile or two north of Greenville it is very scenic and rural, very relaxing.
4. the trail is well maintained. grass along the side is cut nicely.
5. It goes by Furman, i had never visited Furman.
Negatives
1. The signage through downtown Greenville is terrible. Some people were critical of the train through town. I think of it the other way. It is really not a trail through downtown. SOmeone figured a way to get from the the zoo south of town to the trail north of town and i give them credit. YOu can't go fast, there are some tough corners, you have to watch out for pedestrians because some is on a sidewalk. But that's great they could figure it out. But i got lost twice trying to get through. Signs are needed telling you where to go.
2. The path is bumpy. There are a lot of tree root bumps in the trail. It is not terrible yet but will be in a year or two.
3. Someone complained there are a lot of road to cross. There are but they are all ok, except one. There is a 4 lane highway to cross with a small median. No stop light. SOmeone is going to get killed or hurt bad there, the cars are going 55+ and were pretty steady when i crossed. I know it's a big expense but i hope it's on the list of 'wants'.
There were a few businesses along the way. One bar if you wanted a beer just north of Greenville. And a few things in Travelers Rest. There were some other reviews that said there were a lot of businesses on the trail, not so.
I am from Atlanta, it was nice to bring my bike up and use the trail. Thank you to the people of Greenville for having the foresight to building this nice trail.
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