Explore the best rated trails in Locust, NC, whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Little Sugar Creek Greenway and Four Mile Creek Greenway (Town of Matthews) . With more than 42 trails covering 149 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.
We rode only 10 miles or so mostly upcreek from the park in South Park. Perfectly paved trail crosses back and forth over creek. Pretty level with some small hills. Woods, mature developments, parks, occasionally through streets with very little traffic. Probably better scenery when not middle of winter. Real nice ride.
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.
It’s a good trail to ride bikes and electric scooters and walk.
It’s an okay path. Bicycling it’s quite bumpy. Bumpiest greenway of all the trails I’ve been on in the county.
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