Charlotte, NC Dog Walking Trails and Maps

172 Reviews

Looking for the best Dog Walking trails around Charlotte?

Find the top rated dog walking trails in Charlotte, whether you're looking for an easy short dog walking trail or a long dog walking trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a dog walking trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.

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Activities
Length
Surfaces
Type
46 Results
Activities
Length
Surfaces
Type

Antiquity Greenway

0.6 mi
State: NC
Asphalt, Boardwalk, Concrete

Avon and Catawba Creeks Greenway

1.9 mi
State: NC
Asphalt

Bakers Creek Greenway

1.5 mi
State: NC
Asphalt

Caldwell Station Creek Greenway

2.6 mi
State: NC
Asphalt, Boardwalk, Concrete

City Walk

2.5 mi
State: NC
Asphalt, Concrete

Four Mile Creek Greenway (Town of Matthews)

2.3 mi
State: NC
Asphalt, Boardwalk

Heritage Trail Greenway

1.5 mi
State: NC
Asphalt

Irish Buffalo Creek Greenway

2.7 mi
State: NC
Asphalt

Kings Mountain Gateway Trail

4.3 mi
State: NC
Asphalt, Gravel

Lindsay Pettus Greenway

2 mi
State: SC
Asphalt, Boardwalk, Concrete

Little Sugar Creek Greenway

19.5 mi
State: NC
Asphalt, Concrete

Lower McAlpine Creek, McMullen Creek & Four Mile Creek Greenways

5.8 mi
State: NC
Asphalt, Boardwalk, Gravel

Mallard Creek Greenway

4.66 mi
State: NC
Asphalt, Gravel

Marcia H. Cloninger Rail-Trail

1.7 mi
State: NC
Asphalt

McDowell Creek Greenway

1.6 mi
State: NC
Asphalt

Piedmont Medical Center Trail

3.35 mi
State: SC
Asphalt, Boardwalk

Shelby Rail-Trail

1.5 mi
State: NC
Dirt

South Fork Rail-Trail

2 mi
State: NC
Crushed Stone, Dirt

Statesville Greenway Trail

6 mi
State: NC
Asphalt, Gravel

Torrence Creek Greenway

1.9 mi
State: NC
Asphalt
Accordion

8th Street Greenway

0.5 mi
State: NC
Asphalt

Baxter Village Trail

3.3 mi
State: SC
Dirt, Grass, Sand

Briar Creek Greenway

1.4 mi
State: NC
Asphalt

Buffalo Creek Preserve Trail

2.1 mi
State: NC
Crushed Stone, Dirt, Gravel

Charlotte Rail Trail

3.5 mi
State: NC
Asphalt, Brick, Concrete

Gold Hill Rail-Trail

2.2 mi
State: NC
Dirt, Gravel

Irwin Creek and Stewart Creek Greenways

2 mi
State: NC
Asphalt, Concrete, Gravel

McAlpine Creek Greenway

4.4 mi
State: NC
Asphalt, Boardwalk

Toby Creek Greenway

2.7 mi
State: NC
Boardwalk, Concrete

Twelve Mile Creek Trail

6 mi
State: SC
Asphalt, Boardwalk, Concrete, Crushed Stone, Dirt, Gravel

Yadkin Rail Trail

0.8 mi
State: NC
Gravel

Highland Rail Trail

1.6 mi
State: NC
Asphalt

Roger F. Snyder Greenway

1.5 mi
State: NC
Asphalt, Concrete

Troutman Rail-Trail

1 mi
State: NC
Concrete

Waterford Trail

1.5 mi
State: SC
Asphalt, Boardwalk, Concrete, Dirt

Salisbury Greenway

4.05 mi
State: NC
Asphalt, Boardwalk, Concrete

York Bicycle Trail

1 mi
State: SC
Asphalt

Bailey Road Multi-Use Path

2.33 mi
State: NC
Asphalt, Concrete

Bessemer City Park Trail

1.3 mi
State: NC
Boardwalk, Concrete, Dirt

Campbell Creek Greenway

1.8 mi
State: NC
Asphalt

Clark's Creek Greenway

2.5 mi
State: NC
Asphalt, Boardwalk, Concrete, Crushed Stone, Gravel

Emerald Necklace

13 mi
State: NC
Asphalt, Concrete

Plum Creek Greenway

0.6 mi
State: NC
Asphalt

South Prong Rocky River Greenway

2.2 mi
State: NC
Asphalt

West Branch Rocky River Greenway

2.8 mi
State: NC
Asphalt

Wetland Trail

0.5 mi
State: SC
Boardwalk
Trail Image Trail Name States Length Surface Rating
Antiquity Greenway is a half-mile segment of the Town of Cornelius' growing collection of multiuse paths and is part of the trail loop called the Emerald Necklace. The paved trail begins on Zion...
NC 0.6 mi Asphalt, Boardwalk, Concrete
The Avon and Catawba Creeks Greenway has several neighborhood entrances in Gastonia. The 1.9-mile trail winds alongside Catawba Creek and Avon Creek with a few small bridges crossings along the way....
NC 1.9 mi Asphalt
The paved, scenic Bakers Creek Greenway follows its eponymous creek, connecting two parks in central North Carolina's Kannapolis. The trail is part of the Carolina Thread Trail, a network of pathways...
NC 1.5 mi Asphalt
Caldwell Station Creek Greenway is 2.6 miles of paved, smooth multiuse trail through the woods and wetlands of Cornelius. The trail is a local treasure, popular with locals for a workout in nature, as...
NC 2.6 mi Asphalt, Boardwalk, Concrete
The City Walk is part of the Hickory Trail network and provides an important off-road route through downtown Hickory. From its eastern end on 8th Street by Lenoir-Rhyne University, the trail heads...
NC 2.5 mi Asphalt, Concrete
Following its namesake waterway, the Four Mile Creek Greenway connects downtown Matthews, Squirrel Lake Park, and the surrounding neighborhoods in the Town of Matthews. A joint project between the...
NC 2.3 mi Asphalt, Boardwalk
The Heritage Trail Greenway is a multiuse path in Newton, North Carolina. The first two phases of the trail are complete, stretching 1.5 miles from West 7th Street, winding through the wooded...
NC 1.5 mi Asphalt
Running alongside the Irish Buffalo Creek north into the City of Kannapolis from the border with the City of Concord, this trail provides an enjoyable route for both recreation and commuting.  The...
NC 2.7 mi Asphalt
Kings Mountain Gateway Trail is situated in a beautiful natural park setting offering a picnic shelter, restrooms, drinking fountains, and parking. Much of the park is heavily wooded and the trail is...
NC 4.3 mi Asphalt, Gravel
Running through the City of Lancaster, the Lindsay Pettus Greenway is a hard surface, ADA compliant multi-use trail that connects neighborhoods, schools, and local businesses, as well as providing...
SC 2 mi Asphalt, Boardwalk, Concrete
Overview The Little Sugar Creek Greenway runs through eastern Charlotte and stretches for more than 19 miles down to the Catawba River in neighboring South Carolina. The trail is a beautiful urban...
NC 19.5 mi Asphalt, Concrete
On the southern outskirts of Charlotte, a series of connected greenways along creeks form a horseshoe-shaped path of nearly 6 miles. The pathway is primarily paved with wooden boardwalks over creeks...
NC 5.8 mi Asphalt, Boardwalk, Gravel
The Mallard Creek Greenway is a scenic multiuse trail located in Mecklenburg County and winds its way through lush woodlands, alongside picturesque creeks, and through peaceful residential...
NC 4.66 mi Asphalt, Gravel
The Marcia H. Cloninger Rail-Trail, known locally as the Lincolnton Rail-Trail, offers a chance to explore the heart of this small Southern town, highlighted by a stately courthouse, model Main...
NC 1.7 mi Asphalt
About 12 miles north of Charlotte, the McDowell Creek Greenway links the communities of Huntersville and Cornelius and is included in the Emerald Necklace trail loop. The paved, 1.6-mile route is also...
NC 1.6 mi Asphalt
Following the Catawba River, the Piedmont Medical Center Trail (formerly the Riverwalk) stretches 3.35 miles through Rock Hill near the border between North and South Carolina. The route is part of...
SC 3.35 mi Asphalt, Boardwalk
Closure Notice: The suspension bridge over First Broad River is temporarily closed due to flooding. Please check with local news authorities before heading out on the trail. Shelby's rail-trail...
NC 1.5 mi Dirt
As you might expect, the South Fork Rail-Trail closely follows the South Fork of the Catawba River on the south end of Lincolnton. The trail rests atop a former rail corridor within land preserved by...
NC 2 mi Crushed Stone, Dirt
Statesville’s greenway system is still a collection of unlinked segments, but there are plans in place to build a truly connected non-motorized path network. Today, the discrete sections offer a...
NC 6 mi Asphalt, Gravel
Torrence Creek Greenway offers a pleasant route through meadows, woodlands, and wetlands south of Huntersville. Along the paved, 1.4-mile route, the trail offers many points to access the surrounding...
NC 1.9 mi Asphalt
Accordion
The half-mile 8th Street Greenway begins at North Loop Road and follows a tree-lined northwesterly route to Bakers Creek Park, where it connects to a trail of the same name which is part of a regional...
NC 0.5 mi Asphalt
The Baxter Village Trail is nestled in a neighborhood of Fort Mill, which lies on the northern border of South Carolina (Charlotte, North Carolina, is just over the state line). The trail has a...
SC 3.3 mi Dirt, Grass, Sand
Briar Creek Greenway will one day stretch 6 miles through Charlotte and connect to the Little Sugar Creek Greenway. Currently, the trail is open in two disconnected segments totaling 1.4 miles. The...
NC 1.4 mi Asphalt
The Buffalo Creek Preserve Trail provides a 2-mile moderately challenging hike or mountain bike ride in the rural community of Mount Pleasant, about 30 miles northeast of Charlotte. The unpaved trail...
NC 2.1 mi Crushed Stone, Dirt, Gravel
Overview Once no more than a humble maintenance path along a trolley line, the Charlotte Rail Trail now offers a vibrant pathway extending 3.5 miles from Charlotte’s Center City to the South End....
NC 3.5 mi Asphalt, Brick, Concrete
A trip along the Gold Hill Rail-Trail through this historic village will transport you back to a time when North Carolina was the country's major gold-producing state. Signs posted every few hundred...
NC 2.2 mi Dirt, Gravel
The Irwin Creek and Stewart Creek Greenways cover 2 miles of trail alongside their namesake creeks in Charlotte's city center. The Irwin Creek Greenway begins at Ray's Splash Planet and travels...
NC 2 mi Asphalt, Concrete, Gravel
The McAlpine Creek Greenway is a picturesque 4.4-mile trail that runs through a lush green corridor in south Charlotte. Following the McAlpine Creek through woods and wetlands, this multiuse...
NC 4.4 mi Asphalt, Boardwalk
Running between Mallard Creek Greenway and Rocky River Road, the Toby Creek Greenway provides an important connection with the University of North Carolina's Charlotte campus.  The paved, multiuse...
NC 2.7 mi Boardwalk, Concrete
The Twelve Mile Creek Trail, which runs northeast from Walnut Creek Park over the South Carolina/North Carolina state line to Waxhaw, is part of the Carolina Thread Trail—a growing trail network of...
SC 6 mi Asphalt, Boardwalk, Concrete, Crushed Stone, Dirt, Gravel
The Yadkin Rail Trail, also known as the Rock Creek Park Greenway, is a short hiking trail south of Albemarle, North Carolina. The trail follows the same former Norfolk Southern Railway corridor as...
NC 0.8 mi Gravel
Highland Rail Trail is named for the neighborhood that it runs adjacent to as it travels through Gastonia along the former Carolina and Northwestern (C&NW) Railway. Although short, it offers an...
NC 1.6 mi Asphalt
The Roger F. Snyder Greenway is an ambitious project to create a citywide trail system in Albemarle, North Carolina. A portion of the trail is open for use, including two disconnected segments on a...
NC 1.5 mi Asphalt, Concrete
The 1-mile Troutman Rail-Trail runs from Troutman's business district to a newer north end shopping area, following the former rail bed of the Statesville to Charlotte Norfolk Southern Line. The...
NC 1 mi Concrete
The Waterford Trail is a 1.5-mile segment of the Carolina Thread Trail, a system of trails and greenways in the Carolinas. Beginning by the River Park kayak/canoe launch, the wooded trail meanders...
SC 1.5 mi Asphalt, Boardwalk, Concrete, Dirt
The Salisbury Greenway is a developing trail network in the City of Salisbury that connects residential areas, local businesses, schools, restaurants, recreational spaces, parks, open fields, and...
NC 4.05 mi Asphalt, Boardwalk, Concrete
In northern South Carolina, only about 30 miles southwest of Charlotte, lies the quaint city of York. A paved bicycle trail runs through the heart of the community from its city park to its recreation...
SC 1 mi Asphalt
The Bailey Road Multi-Use Path links Caldwell Station Greenway with the Plum Creek Greenway, which connects to the South Prong Rocky River Greenway. A portion of this multiuse pathway—from where...
NC 2.33 mi Asphalt, Concrete
Beginning less than half a mile from downtown, the Bessemer City Park Trail offers a quiet natural retreat. The 1.3-mile route begins at the basketball court in Bessemer City Park and quickly dives...
NC 1.3 mi Boardwalk, Concrete, Dirt
The Campbell Creek Greenway is a 1.8-mile paved trail that runs through Mecklenburg County in the greater Charlotte metropolitan area. The greenway is surrounded by beautiful natural areas, including...
NC 1.8 mi Asphalt
Clark's Creek Greenway is a beautiful trail located in the city of Charlotte. It spans a total distance of 2.5 miles and is a popular spot for outdoor enthusiasts, families, and locals out with their...
NC 2.5 mi Asphalt, Boardwalk, Concrete, Crushed Stone, Gravel
The Emerald Necklace is a developing 13-mile trail loop of greenways and multiuse paths in the towns of Cornelius, Davidson, and Huntersville. The route makes use of portions of the Caldwell Station...
NC 13 mi Asphalt, Concrete
Part of the Emerald Necklace trail loop, the Plum Creek Greenway is a short, paved multiuse trail in Cornelius, North Carolina, that is suitable for walking and biking. It's a pleasant neighborhood...
NC 0.6 mi Asphalt
As its name suggests, this multiuse path travels along the South Prong of the Rocky River in Davidson, Mecklenburg County. The South Prong Rocky River Greenway is included in the trail loop called...
NC 2.2 mi Asphalt
This trail follows alongside the West Branch of the Rocky River in Davidson, NC and is a part of the Carolina Thread trails complex. The greenway offers a refreshing walk or ride into nature, passing...
NC 2.8 mi Asphalt
The Wetland Trail is a .4-mile meander through River Park toward the Catawba River. Beginning by the segment of Quality Circle that starts as Keith Drive, the trail continues as an elevated boardwalk...
SC 0.5 mi Boardwalk

Recent Trail Reviews

Little Sugar Creek Greenway

Clean, well kept, and paved the entire way. The trail is well marked; however, there was construction so we had to go around certain areas. Me and a friend ran the entire trail and it was beautiful.

December, 2024 by kaelynkellogg

Clean, well kept, and paved the entire way. The trail is well marked; however, there was construction so we had to go around certain areas. Me and a friend ran the entire trail and it was beautiful.

McDowell Creek Greenway

Secluded Suburban Trail

November, 2024 by maryepalermo

Saturday afternoon ride on a bright November day. Surprisingly limited number of cyclists, walkers, runners, & strollers. Entered at Birkdale Village Trailhead. Congested area. Suggest trying Catawba Road instead. Shaded trail with elevation changes and some crossings.

Four Mile Creek Greenway (Town of Matthews)

Great for strollers

November, 2024 by mrsbeem2019

We love this trail. Sometimes bikers don’t use proper etiquette when passing families with small children; however, it’s a great trail for families. Watch out for baby brown snakes. They come up every once in a while, typically after a storm.

Accordion

Caldwell Station Creek Greenway

Great trail. still not complete

November, 2024 by v.londhe

I rode my bike on this trail last weekend. It was beautiful with the fall trees..there los a small in complete section. But otherwise it is a great greenway. The leaves were turning and so it looked beautiful!

Little Sugar Creek Greenway

wonderful!

October, 2024 by simonsays60

We started at freedom Park to go south towards South Carolina. There are detour signs as you leave the park that are hard to find. Once you get on the trail along the river, it is smooth sailing with no stops.

South Fork Rail-Trail

Pretty

September, 2024 by sewupscalequilts

My husband and I were looking for a trail that was flat but in the woods. My husband recently has knee replacement surgery and he was able to walk easily on this trail. For this trip, we only went partway but next time, hopefully, he’ll be able to go further. It was so pretty and the history of the renovated mill is very interesting. I want to add that if you are south bound on 321, after you exit, turn right. The rest of the directions are great.

McAlpine Creek Greenway

more than 4 miles

September, 2024 by burgess827

Nice trail with more than 4 miles if you include gravel/dirt surface trails that wind through some pretty woods. Can be busy on the weekends especially on the paved portion of the trail.

Little Sugar Creek Greenway

Good trail........ beautiful. A little questionable which way to go sometimes though

September, 2024 by wcsmarr

One thing that must be improved. Rode it the first time today. It's not completely confusing but it's not totally clear which way you go at turns, street crossings..... maybe it's the road painted green... duh... but it's still not quite clear. Great job overall. How about some green arrows on surface showing direction ?

Little Sugar Creek Greenway

Southern point parking is closed. But amazing trail!

September, 2024 by craig266

I got to the southern end of this trail early Saturday to begin riding it. I should have read the other reviews. The parking area is closed. So I drove up the Carolina Place Mall area and started at the Hwy 51 crossing pedaling north. It was a GREAT ride! The trail was nice just about everywhere. There were a few spots with mud/sand from the creek flooding but not too bad. I made it about 8 miles up to Hillside Ave behind Park Road Shopping Center and then headed back. Next time I will start here and continue north. Eventually I will catch that southern part. My goal is to eventually bike the whole trail. So far it has been great.

Salisbury Greenway

incomplete

August, 2024 by cbmadding

The finished parts are lovely and shaded. There are many segments in busy roads with no bike lanes or sidewalks.

Mallard Creek Greenway

Nice Greenway - Can Flood

July, 2024 by dianac323

This is a great greenway that we have found as an alternative to mountain biking in inclement weather, but do beware that it does flood leaving you meandering through thick soupy mud. We access from the Kirk Farm Field lot and head West. Look out for signs for the true Mallard Creek connection which will be on your left. I believe Toby Creek is first (on the left as well if you’re heading in from Kirk), then Mallard. I really wish they would just show them all on the map together. If you continue straight without turning you will simply do the Clark’s Greenway section which is easily added on for more mileage. All three greenways together will yield approximately 21 miles. See review on Toby Creek for warning about University City Blvd crossing.

Toby Creek Greenway

Beautiful But Short / Use Caution At University Crossing

July, 2024 by dianac323

I’m finally learning how to connect the seemingly never ending mess of greenways together to get decent mileage. I stumbled across Toby Creek when accessing the Mallard Creek greenway from the Kirk Farm parking lot. It’s a nice, albeit short, greenway that runs through the UNCC campus before hitting University Blvd. To keep this concise I will just say this - this section can be dangerous. We were met with a deranged man screaming expletives while menacingly holding a machete upon our return trip. He must have seen us cross the first time and waited in the woods for us to come back and got way too close for my comfort with that weapon. The police have been notified but please remain vigilant and carry something to protect yourself as I did have a hold time of almost 10 minutes when calling 911.

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