Looking for the best trails around Wilkesboro?

Explore the best rated trails in Wilkesboro, NC, whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Boone Greenway Trail and South Fork New River Greenway . With more than 30 trails covering 190 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

Virginia Creeper National Recreation Trail

Virginia Creeper Trail

April, 2026 by bfergusongardner

The Creeper Trail is still one of my favorite trails. I love riding it from the Abington end and from the Damascus trailhead. Both are absolutely beautiful and well worth the trip.

New River Trail State Park

Rode the entire trail over two days April 2026. Exceptionally well maintained trail and beautiful scenery throughout. Trail was well packed and very easy to ride. Kudos to the staff who maintain the trail.

April, 2026 by jamesuramjr

Rode the entire trail over two days April 2026. Exceptionally well maintained trail and beautiful scenery throughout. Trail was well packed and very easy to ride. Kudos to the staff who maintain the trail.

Emerald Necklace

**Emerald Necklace: A Scenic Vision with Navigational Challenges**

March, 2026 by aswheele

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.

Accordion

New River Trail State Park

“Our Favorite Trail—Beautiful in Every Season”

March, 2026 by aswheele

Hands down our favorite trail. We’ve hiked the entire trail (not all at once) and biked it end to end, and no section ever disappoints—no matter the season.

An added bonus is the park’s occasional van tours. Options include routes from Cliffview to Foster Falls and from Foster Falls to Pulaski. These guided tours offer wonderful insight into the area’s history and the former rail line.

Be sure to check the park’s website for tour details.

Railroad Grade Road

This is a ROAD

December, 2025 by malror

I am also a local. To the tourist that think this is meant to be a trail—it’s a ROAD. people live here and are driving to and from work. we are constantly made late by people riding bikes and leisurely walking while refusing to let cars by and being hateful because they are out of towners who believe this to be a biking trail. i’m sorry but it’s just not, this road is dangerous enough as a vehicle coming up on another vehicle. that becomes disaster when there’s people standing in blind curves taking pictures and gawking when people are trying to go make a living and not be made late by out of touch tourists.

Emerald Necklace

Outsiders Not Welcome

November, 2025 by bjmcgowin

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.

Virginia Creeper National Recreation Trail

Awesome ride from Damascus to Abingdon

October, 2025 by ibew241

We rode from Damascus to the end of the trail in Abingdon. The weather was sunny and mild, temps were in the high 60’s. Trail conditions were excellent. Traffic on the Creeper was brisk, even on Friday during the school year. This ride completed our previous ride from Damascus to White Top back in 2022. Maybe someday we will be able to ride the east end, a lot of work needs to be done to put the trail back together following Hurricane Helene. Be sure to visit the local stores in Damascus: Damascus Outfitters, Damascus Brewery, Appalachian Heritage Distillery, the Damascus Diner, Damascus Pizza, etc.

Yadkin River Greenway

Nice

October, 2025 by 9gxdp5j8vt

Nice evening riding spot ¿¿¿¿¿

New River Trail State Park

Draper to Foster Falls today!

October, 2025 by suzbhar

Great ride! Challenge was avoiding the walnuts that fall this time of year! We saw several deer. 2 bounced down the trail right in front of us! The weather was beautiful and the trail was fabulous!

Muddy Creek Greenway

Not Skate friendly

September, 2025 by sketcherdesigns.cp

Been on this trail for many years and it is increasingly hostile to rollerbladers. You are either almost getting run over by the bikers or almost being bitten by a dog who's owner can't handle them correctly. Used to be a good flat spot to rollerblade but its gone down hill because the people who are on have become exceptionally rude.

New River Trail State Park

For my birthday today we biked from Galax to Fries. It was my first real trailhead ride and I loved it. Beautiful scenery to enjoy while on the trail. So many real breath taking views to enjoy during your ride.

September, 2025 by mickoc24

For my birthday today we biked from Galax to Fries. It was my first real trailhead ride and I loved it. Beautiful scenery to enjoy while on the trail. So many real breath taking views to enjoy during your ride.

Statesville Greenway Trail

I loved it

August, 2025 by stonfish74

It was great

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