Explore the best rated trails in Jacksonville, NC. Whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the River to the Sea Bikeway and Emerald Path. With more than 5 trails covering 40 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 Jacksonville-Camp LeJeune Rail-to-Trails path extends along abandoned rail beds from the Marine Corps base at Camp LeJeune (Midway Park area) 5.2 miles northwest to Marine Boulevard in...
The Military Cutoff Trail is a paved, north-south route paralleling its namesake roadway on the east end of Wilmington. A wide grassy median separates the trail from the busy roadway. The south end of...
The Gary Shell Cross-City Trail connects the Wilmington campus of the University of North Carolina with the city's many recreational attractions, including Halyburton Park, Empie Park, McCrary Park,...
The Emerald Path is an 11-mile multiuse pathway stretching from the Indian Beach town limits all the way to The Point at Bogue Inlet at the western end of Emerald Isle. The path follows County Road...
The River to the Sea Bikeway (WMPO Bicycle Route 1) is an 11-mile, on- and off-road bicycle route that follows the Historic Beach Car Line, which carried vacationers from downtown Wilmington to...
The Military Cutoff Trail is a paved, north-south route paralleling its namesake roadway on the east end of Wilmington. A wide grassy median separates the trail from the busy roadway. The south end of...
The Emerald Path is an 11-mile multiuse pathway stretching from the Indian Beach town limits all the way to The Point at Bogue Inlet at the western end of Emerald Isle. The path follows County Road...
The Gary Shell Cross-City Trail connects the Wilmington campus of the University of North Carolina with the city's many recreational attractions, including Halyburton Park, Empie Park, McCrary Park,...
The Jacksonville-Camp LeJeune Rail-to-Trails path extends along abandoned rail beds from the Marine Corps base at Camp LeJeune (Midway Park area) 5.2 miles northwest to Marine Boulevard in...
The River to the Sea Bikeway (WMPO Bicycle Route 1) is an 11-mile, on- and off-road bicycle route that follows the Historic Beach Car Line, which carried vacationers from downtown Wilmington to...
The Emerald Path is an 11-mile multiuse pathway stretching from the Indian Beach town limits all the way to The Point at Bogue Inlet at the western end of Emerald Isle. The path follows County Road...
The Jacksonville-Camp LeJeune Rail-to-Trails path extends along abandoned rail beds from the Marine Corps base at Camp LeJeune (Midway Park area) 5.2 miles northwest to Marine Boulevard in...
The Military Cutoff Trail is a paved, north-south route paralleling its namesake roadway on the east end of Wilmington. A wide grassy median separates the trail from the busy roadway. The south end of...
The Gary Shell Cross-City Trail connects the Wilmington campus of the University of North Carolina with the city's many recreational attractions, including Halyburton Park, Empie Park, McCrary Park,...
We rented 5 bikes from Beach Wheels and started riding from the first beach access off of Ocean Dr. We didn’t feel comfortable riding on the road, so Bryan at Beach Wheels was kind enough to drop the bikes off there so we could ride on the bike path. We took the path all the way down to Plaza Mexican in Emerald Isle and had lunch. Then we biked down to Emerald Isle Woods where we took the bikes down to the water and enjoyed the view. Around 3:00 we turned around and biked our way back to Sweet Spot for ice cream. We were pretty tired at that point so we biked our way back to car.
Overall it was a very enjoyable bike ride. One thing I wish we had know is that the path is mostly downhill as you bike your way towards Emerald Isle which means it’s uphill as you’re coming back towards the car. We biked around 20 miles in total so the last 5-6 miles we’re pretty rough as we were very tired! Also, there’s a good bit of crosswalk traffic so be very cautious of cars as your cross.
This trail has many twists and turns as it crosses the city. If you are unfamiliar with the area, it’s easy to make a wrong turn, because the trail is so poorly marked. The trail crosses many busy intersections, and part of the time you have to ride on a busy road to complete the 15-mile trail.
I love the idea of a downtown to beach bike ride. Like others, I was disappointed from the start when I realized it would be mostly on roads, not bike trails. However, the first approx. 2/3 of the ride is pleasant for the most part.
I was SHOCKED by the last portion of the ride. I can't believe someone hasn't died yet...perhaps they have. It strikes me as extremely irresponsible to have this ride even exist and be marked with signs because it gives the impression that it is at least relatively safe (which it is not). It's reckless to have bikers crossing without a crosswalk or light and, more notably, to be riding in tiny shoulders with cars zooming by at 45+. A slight drift of a vehicle into the shoulder would result in biker death. Even the most experienced bikers are putting themselves at risk.
It's poorly marked and you mostly ride on roads. Some of the roads are quiet but many have heavy traffic with a shoulder to ride on. In a few cases you are expected to cross busy streets at a site with no traffic light and no crosswalk. This is a dangerous trails and IMO shouldn't even be on this site. Don't ride it!
I had difficulty finding parking at the end of the trail but was able to find a public beach access parking in Indian Beach just past the end of the off-the-road portion. The cross road stops could get a little monotonous in the busier months but were not a big issue in November. It was cold and windy but still was an enjoyable ride. There are several public restrooms along the route.
The description only includes the portion of the trail that parallels, but is off, the main road (about 11 miles). There is an on-road trail that continues into Indian Beach and Atlantic Beach (probably close to 25 miles total). This road is fairly busy but the bike path is wide enough so it isn't uncomfortable.
All paved, gets a little busy with cross car traffic around downtown Emerald Isle on the path. Nice path for the most part. I would suggest early morning or later afternoon to heat. Has water stop, rest rooms at the beach access and tourist center. We like to ride along Ocean Drive along the ocean and end at the beach (end of Coast Guard Road). You can park at Boat Ramp or several beach access locations.
We were visiting Wilmington, NC and were told by hoteliers about the River to Sea Bikeway. Others have said it all and I'm just updating since this it is 2 1/2 years since the last review. As others have said, this is not really a trail. Some sections are very well marked but many are not and we got lost several times, landing us in heavy traffic areas. My husband and I are avid cyclists and have no problem riding in heavy traffic when there is a shoulder. There are some nice sections of this route that are paved "trail" but it is intermittent. The route is mostly roadway, some of which has shoulder but some of the heavy, high speed traffic areas that are supposed to be part of the "bikeway" do not, especially as you get closer to Wrightsville Beach. Our basic conclusion was that it takes a lot of nerve to call this a "Bikeway".
In the autumn of 2014 I began at the North end of " Military Cutoff Trail". There are plenty of parking options at various businesses.
The surface is smooth, wide concrete suitable for Road, hybrid or even mountain bikes.
I met a few riders; all smiled and waved, as did some joggers.
There is a 6' swath of well-tended grass separating the trail from the roadway. Fortuitously, it was grass mowing day; ahh, nothing like the sweet aroma of fresh-cut grass!
As its only 2 miles from the 'trailhead', I did not stop at the endpoint; opted to turn on Hwy. 74 [Eastwood Rd.]. This is the trailhead of the "Gary Shell Cross-City Trail". I pedaled abt. 2 miles, then the trail takes an abrupt left. Don't miss it; its an average size sign. The transition from the urban road to a wooded, secluded setting is surreal! The sounds of traffic gives way to a silent parade of Live Oak trees flanking both sides of the asphalt trail. Evidently, few know of this 'dog leg' as it winds its way thru the trees; not a soul did I meet. An image of Hobbiton flashed thru my mind....
The TrailLink map says that Summer Rest Road is the Endpoint. However, I turned right on Summer Rest Rd. and continued on abt. a 1/2 mile to Hwy. 74 [Wrightsville Ave].
Wrightsville Ave. is the Trailhead of the "River to the Sea Bikeway" trail. I turned left and followed the trail to the bridge that spans the Intracoastal Waterway. Just had to stop and watch the boats and birds for awhile. Back on the bike for 2 miles and I was walking the sands next to Johnny Mercer's Pier. After a leisurely walk in the surf I was ready to make the return trip.[Caution; this last section of the "River to Sea Bikeway" is not recommended for Recreational cyclists. You must know how to ride in traffic].
So, back on "River to Sea Bikeway" to connect with "Gary Shell Cross-City Trail" which connects to my trailhead on "Military Cutoff Trail".
Upon reaching the south-end of "Military Cutoff Trail", I was hungry. I stopped at Wild Wings Café and rewarded myself with zesty, delicious wings and a Red Oak Lager and several glasses of water, as my water bottle was empty at this point. They let me bring my bike inside for security, treated me like family, and even filled up my water bottle! Great place.
Back to the bike and pedaled to the Trailhead at the North end of the trail. Three 'epic' trails in one day!
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TrailLink is a free service provided by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (a non-profit) and we need your support!