Explore the best rated trails in Wilkesboro, NC, whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Yadkin River Trail and Muddy Creek 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.
Enjoyed this ride through downtown Hickory. You do have to cross streets several times and switch sides of the road but it is all doable. It is a rather short trail, although it appears construction is under way to connect this trail to the Riverwalk Trail on the Catawba River which will really make a nice length.
Very nice paved railway with several different places to enter / exit. Lots of walkers, joggers and bikers with families and dogs. Unfortunately several parts are still closed off due to the damage from Hurricane Helene flooding with repairs underway. Would still highly recommend!
Yesterday we took our first official ride on our newly purchased Velotric bikes! We rode a total of 32 miles from Abingdon, Va to Damascus, Va and back! The trail was very well maintained! We felt at ease the entire way with the trail conditions. There are many beautiful sites on this trail as you experience farmland, alpacas, cattle, river and streams, and mountain views! Such a beautiful ride! We met some awesome people along the way also! We discussed our bikes, the trail, other trails, etc! We also enjoyed some fabulous food and service! In Damascus, I highly recommend The Cottage Cafe! This is a quaint Irish Pub! The owners, staff, food and beverage are AWESOME! Same goes for 128 Pecan in Abingdon, where we enjoyed a WONDERFUL dinner!
Rented bikes locally in Damascus from Blue Blaze. The ride was beyond our expectations. Rolling countryside through farms was breathtaking. Will return once other half of trail has had repairs completed. Highly recommend!
Great trail! Day 1 rode a out and back from Fries to Galax 33 miles.
Absolutely beautiful ride! Loved all the long wooden trestle bridges and the gorgeous views. Trail was in excellent condition. I’ve ridden many trails throughout the USA and this one is definitely top 10. The only bummer was that the other 20 miles of the trail are still closed due to damage from Hurricane Helene. As soon as that section is repaired I’m definitely coming back to ride from White Mountain to Damascus.
A delightful, albeit short, trail in Elkin, NC.
We stopped to check out this trail on our way south after riding the longer New River Trail State Park rail trail, and we're glad we did. Even though it is only 1.8 miles long (3.6 miles round trip), it was a fun ride featuring a dam, two bridges, two underpasses, and excellent interpretive signage.
The trail surface is more sandy than crushed stone, with a few gentle inclines. There is plenty of parking, although a few additional restroom facilities would be a welcome addition. Be sure to bring your own water; if there were any drinking fountains, I didn't see them.
Even on a Thursday morning, the trail was busy with walkers and dog owners enjoying the beautiful surroundings. While this is not a trail I would drive a long distance specifically to ride, it makes an excellent stop when traveling to or from one of the area's longer trail systems.
The trail currently comes to an abrupt end, and I hope it is extended someday. For those seeking a little more adventure, there is a mountain bike trail branching off the main route, along with at least one hiking trail.
I highly recommend this trail if you're in the area. It would have earned five stars from me if it had been a bit longer.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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