Looking for the best trails around Shelby?

Explore the best rated trails in Shelby, 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 61 trails covering 180 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.

Recent Trail Reviews

River Birch Trail

Best paved trail

October, 2023 by renustuff

Nice shaded trail, good for dogs, bikers, spotting birds and deer, and walking along the creek.

Duncan Park Trail

Duncan Park trail

October, 2023 by renustuff

Nice wooded trail.

Thermal Belt Rail-Trail

Thermal Belt Rail Trail

October, 2023 by hcrawford1037_tl

There are some older reviews on here that are no longer accurate. The trail is paved from end to end. It is also well maintained as witnessed by me following guys pulling a leaf blower behind their parks Dept ATV.

Accordion

Irwin Creek and Stewart Creek Greenways

Pleasant park connector in Charlotte

September, 2023 by laurastark

We had a nice time on the Irwin Creek and Stewart Creek Greenways. There was interesting public art, the tracts of a defunct railroad, city skyline views, and wooded sections.

Wadsworth Trail

Nice place to walk

September, 2023 by shcase1964

As others have mentioned, this is not a typical woodland trail. However, it is a very nice walking path with good shade and pleasant scenery. I appreciate the variety of this path and enjoy it more than straight trails such as Mary Black.

Little Sugar Creek Greenway

Recreational gem connecting Charlotte and the city's southern suburbs

September, 2023 by laurastark

We found the Little Sugar Creek Greenway to be a smooth, well-maintained paved pathway connecting numerous parks. We had a great experience on this trail! There is something for everyone; the northern urban section is fun and vibrant with shops and restaurants nearby, while the southern portion offers a tranquil wooded route, where we saw six deer!

McDowell Creek Greenway

Present length 3miles

September, 2023 by jasonhappe

The section from Magnolia Dr to NC 73 is about 3 miles.

Lower McAlpine Creek, McMullen Creek & Four Mile Creek Greenways

Cyclists beware!

September, 2023 by shtrahan03

The boardwalks are very slippery for cyclists. I lost control of my bike in 2022 and while I was down, another cyclist did the same thing and nearly landed on top of me. A torn rotator cuff, surgery, and 7 months of rehab later, I will not be cycling on this greenway again. I do love the shade in the summer though!

McAlpine Creek Greenway

very nice trail

September, 2023 by d7i2idczkm

Well maintained and is used a lot. Never find yourself alone on this trail.

Lower McAlpine Creek, McMullen Creek & Four Mile Creek Greenways

Needs more maintenance

September, 2023 by joenad55

I jog this trail, and is part paved and part boardwalk. One positive is the tree cover which provides shade even in afternoon hours. The boardwalk areas need to be maintained better as the boards need to be replaced more frequently as the boards get chewed up and sometimes I have to watch my step. They do replace the worst ones, but not frequently enough. Does get flooded and muddy after a heavy rain to the point it can be unusable. The Rea Road ending point has fountains and a bathroom.

Little Sugar Creek Greenway

Great for jogging

September, 2023 by joenad55

I am a jogger, I run this trail often in the South Charlotte area. The portion from Marsh Park to Tyvola is well paved, in good condition, and is maintained well. Water fountains are well placed. After a rain, it doesn't get muddy or very wet like Four Mile Creek. People very friendly on the trail. Can get crowded on Saturday mornings with all the running clubs, races, etc. Only issue is the speeding bikers, sometimes they call out, sometimes they don't.

Kings Mountain Gateway Trail

Biked the trail

September, 2023 by bill603

My wife and I ( we are in our 60's) rode our ebikes and it was a great workout. I don't think we would have made it on our mountain bikes, but we saw a guy on a regular bike. Make your way to the gravel and it's about 5 miles out and 5 miles back. It is very similar to a rail trail, but it does have some hills. Well maintained and not crowded on the gravel trail. We'll be back.

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