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 24 trails covering 79 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.
_0_st.jpg)
_56382_st.jpg)
_140830_st.jpg)
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 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...
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...
_56381_sc.jpg)
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...
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 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...
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 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 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 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...
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 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...
If you enjoy rail-trails that flaunt their railroading past, you're sure to love the Thermal Belt Rail-Trail. The trail begins in Gilkey, and a recent extension takes it over 13 miles southeast to...
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...
_140830_sc.jpg)
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...
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 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...
_56382_sc.jpg)
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...
_0_sc.jpg)
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...
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...
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 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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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 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...
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 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...
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 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...
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 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...
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 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...
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 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...
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 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...
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 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...
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...
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 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...
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...
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...
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 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 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...
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...
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...
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 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 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...
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 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 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...
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...
Average trail going north from Greenville. Greenville south is beautiful, particularly in city.
I'm submitting this as a review because I can't find another place to send it. After the recent rains, someone used sand to repair the dirt path that connects the French Broad River Greenway to the French Broad River Park (it goes underneath the Amboy Road overpass). Please don't use sand! It makes it difficult and dangerous to ride a bike through the area. Please use dirt instead.
My family and I rode 2 days over the Thanksgiving holiday. The trail is paved like new with many convenient access points. Can’t wait to ride it again!
Great trail with diverse features from Mt biking in Pisgah Forest to urban trail in Brevard. Oskar Blues Brewery side trip a highlight!
I enjoyed a quiet ride on the Thermal Belt trail yesterday. When I parked at the parking area just off US74 (near mile marker 12.5) at 10:00am the lot was empty and so was the trail. By 2'ish when I returned the lot was half full with cyclist's vehicles.
A very pleasant semi-urban rail with lots of light industry and old textile plants. Not scenic like the Creeper but very interesting to ride. The trail is beautiful with a fresh macadam surface. Lots of street/road crossings but light traffic at most of them. The final mile south of US74 is not yet paved.
I rode the section from US74 to just past Spindale (and back) and wasn't disappointed. Will start for Rutherfordton and ride South next time just to see what I missed,
Thanks to those who added another rail trail accessible from Western NC.
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
As others have said, it isn't much of a "trail" but rather a paved path that runs along a pretty busy two lane road. You can walk two abreast but that is about all. There are multiple subdivisions along the path which contributes to the busyness of the road especially during morning and evening rush hour times. That being said, it is a nice place to get in a few good walking/running miles with some hills along the way without having to drive a long distance out of town.
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!
Get Your 2018 RTC TrailNation Jersey!
Download the TrailLink mobile app and take TrailLink with you!
Donate and Get a FREE 2019 RTC Guidebook!
TrailLink is a free service provided by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (a non-profit) and we need your support!
Map Search
_56381_st.jpg)
