Looking for the best trails around West Canton?

Explore the best rated trails in West Canton, NC, whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Little Tennessee River Greenway and Nantahala Bikeway . With more than 21 trails covering 108 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

Ecusta Trail

Great bike ride Hendersonville!

October, 2025 by symptom07.trialed

Started at the Hendersonville visitor center and headed out. Fill your water bottles and use the restrooms at this really nice visitor center! Very well marked trail with lots of safe crossings for the roads! Super wide super smooth asphalt so no issues bypassing pedestrians and other cyclists! Rode all the way to the end and found a pumpkin patch! Since we were on our bikes, I only purchased five small ones for two dollars each! We also stopped by the farm stand trail side, and got some of the best Golden delicious apples we’ve ever had! Beautiful rail trail……kudos to Hendersonville because there were 1000 people using it on this stunning Saturday! It has a brewery, playground, coffeehouse, Quik Mart, all on the side of the trail if you need anything. We really enjoyed the countryside! A winner for a Saturday early Fall bike ride!

Nantahala Bikeway

Fall leaves!

September, 2025 by symptom07.trialed

Rode the trail today a few times back-and-forth back-and-forth to get a few miles in. Beautiful river with the roar of the water and the roar of the trucks on the highway. Leaves covering the trail in a few spots so it could be slippery. Great parking at both ends. We did take a rod on our second trip around and did a few casts the access spots, but didn’t get anything.

Thermal Belt Rail Trail

Great late summer ride

September, 2025 by robertrollins28079

This September weekend provided the opportunity to experience the Thermal Belt Trail, after learning of it several months ago. Wife, youngest son, & I had been looking forward to our first trip on this rail trail. We found a small campground near the northern terminus of the trail & planned our trip. The Thermal Belt was a very nice ride, a good mix of nature & urban corridor. We set out mid morning on Saturday 9/13 & got to Forest City around lunchtime & discovered the Copper Penny on Main Street, just a few blocks from the trail, as a great meal break. Following lunch, wife explored Forest City, while son & I completed the Thermal Belt to the southern endpoint. The only complaint I have to offer is the placement of bollards at every street crossing. Most of the bollards are a series of 2 side by side, rather than a single bollard, which seem to be the norm on most other rail trails that we've ridden. I was worried that my son, an adult with special needs would have an issue with the bollards. My concerns were realized during our return segment, when he struck one of the bollards with his trike bike, which overturned. Fortunately, he was unhurt and our ride continued. Not sure if the dual bollards were any more effective than singles, as there still seemed to be room for a vehicle to make its way onto the trail. We also were pleased to meet a Sheriff's vehicle patrolling along the trail during our ride. Trail is well paved & smooth & does have long slight uphill & downhill stretches, but not taxing at all. A very good time, we'll likely return

Accordion

Thermal Belt Rail Trail

Paved Asphalt nice—BUT too many X-ings

September, 2025 by mshwelsh

Nice wide paved asphalt (5 stars)—-but way too many crossings that interrupt your ride (0 stars).

Ecusta Trail

Great Addition to Hendersonville

August, 2025 by gbjvybqw6s

We walked the trail and it was rather shady and comfortable. The trail was very active to be so new. Loved the Ecusta Brewery and the Market Cafe experience. The trail takes you past Elijah Mtn Gem Mine which would be a fun stop for the littles. I only made it half way as it was dusk but look forward to my next visit. Once you get further north and a bit more rural it was nice to see LP patrolling the trail for safety and awareness.

Gatlinburg Trail (Great Smoky Mountains National Park)

Busy

August, 2025 by tylerheslink5

Very nice trail, minimal parking, but meant more for walking. Very busy with walkers.

Doodle Rail Trail

great trail!!

July, 2025 by borourke63

My wife and I found this to be a great trail to ride. Nice 17miles and beautiful.

Townsend Historical Trail

Above average

July, 2025 by vahoppe63

The Townsend trail is all paved, wide enough for 2 bikes to pass each other. I take my dog in a trailer behind my ebike. The trail is on both sides of the road. The one on the right side is further away from the road and more hilly. The one on the left side has more road noise, once u get away from the river. It is the side with all the businesses on it so lots for driveway bumps. You can connect to the other side by 2 different bike tunnels so u don’t have to cross the road. We rode on a Thursday so traffic was so so but enough to make up want to ride the other side. Not a very interesting trail but nice enough.

Thermal Belt Rail Trail

tree down around mile marker 1

July, 2025 by carololson

On 7/11 a storm came through and knocked a tree over.

Townsend Historical Trail

Easy peasant ride. All paved on both sides of the road. Nice spots to stop, shop, eat and drink. Close to Cades Cove and entrance to Smoky Mountains. Worth the visit.

May, 2025 by palaciosm025

Easy peasant ride. All paved on both sides of the road. Nice spots to stop, shop, eat and drink. Close to Cades Cove and entrance to Smoky Mountains. Worth the visit.

Thermal Belt Rail Trail

A nice spin through Rutherford County

May, 2025 by tarheeltim76

My wife and I enjoyed a 24-mile out-and-back ride on the Thermal Belt Rail Trail. This well-maintained trail took us through several small towns on the way to Forest City, which has a beautiful downtown with shops and places to eat. I knocked off a star for two reasons: 1) There are some areas along the trail with razor wire fencing, nothing sketchy-feeling, but definitely not scenic; 2) There are a LOT of road crossings and some of them are busy. The area has worked hard to build this trail and it will get better over time as amenities like restrooms are added at the trailheads.

Thermal Belt Rail Trail

great trail to ride

May, 2025 by carololson

Looking for a good workout? This trail will fit the bill. Some inclines to push through and lots of straightaways.

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