Too crowded with walkers and little kids for a pleasant ride. Groups of walkers block path and do not move to side. Some areas too narrow and with blind corners. Two bike wrecks I know of in 40 minutes due to walkers and little kids running out in front of bikes. Not a good experience.

We rode from Travelers Rest to the swamp rabbit café and grocery. Perfect place to stop and have a wonderful lunch! The path was smooth, mostly level and shady. Even in 80° it was a comfortable ride.

I rode 14 miles of the Swamp Rabbit Trail starting in Traveler's Rest and ending at the trail's end near Greenville Tech. The fundamentals for a great trail experience is here it just needs more investment in signage to bring it to its full potential.

Traveler's Rest is a perfect trail town and provides many options to get something to eat, shop and multiple locations to lock up your bike. You can tell that the town has really embraced the Swamp Rabbit Trail; its a shame that they don't have great signage to direct you to the trail or to find a good parking spot on the trail. Within the first quarter mile I had to use my phone to figure out that the trail continued across the street because there was no signage directing me there and it was not so obvious as the trail is tucked behind the sidewalk.

As you leave Traveler's Rest the signage for the Swamp Rabbit Trail does come into play but it still is confusing to find and stay on the trail through Furman University, the Cancer Survivors Park, and a playground by the local zoo. All of these points provided great scenery and multiple options for food I just wish it was more obvious which paved section was the actual trail.

The Swamp Rabbit Trail website is very detailed and I wish the actual trail had as much thought put into it as the website does. The trail itself is in very good condition which made riding an enjoyable experience. I can tell that the local communities have invested a lot of time and money into this trail; a small investment in better signage will make this trail a five star trail.

This time we started and ended in Travelers Rest. Lots of dining options that are open later than the Swamp Rabbit. Makes it easier to plan an all day ride when you're not limited by the clock. Start of the trail was more crowded with walkers and younger riders. Once we got through the first mile or two, everyone spaced out. My only complaint is that many of the faster riders did not think it important to annouce themselves. This is not unique to the Swamp Rabbit Trail but just seems to be more common this year.

I use the bike trails in West Asheville several times a week, as they are relatively flat and run along the river. But the connections between stretches of trail can be dangerous. For example, if I want to ride from the new RAD trail toward Carrier Park, I must do so along a stretch of Amboy with no trail, nor even a road shoulder. (The only other option is to go under the bridge through French Broad Park, which is often muddy.) And if I want to continue in the RAD to Craven Street parking, I must cross the road where the trail suddenly is one way instead of side-by-side two way. Except for the stretch through RAD, a cyclist must contend with dog walkers and toddlers on tricycles. Bottom line: wear a helmet!

We rode end to end and back yesterday on our tandem. It’s a very nicely done trail and the pavement is smooth as silk. It’s probably not a destination trail, but if you’re in the area, you don’t want to miss it. There are plenty of places to grab a drink or a bit to eat. There is a bike shop in Spindale. The at-grade crossings are plentiful in a few of the towns, but we still managed a decent pace and the crossings were well marked and safe.

The Thermal Belt is a lovely trail, now with a smooth, 12' asphalt surface. It's the 2nd longest rail-trail in NC, after the American Tobacco Trail. The one caution: Be careful not to let your front wheel wander off the pavement. There's a 3" drop-off to loose gravel shoulders. Those shoulders slope away from the pavement. So your next destination is a ditch. If Rutherford County will build up the shoulders, then the Thermal Belt will become much safer.

Trail is marked open from dawn to dusk

I parked at the Willis Rd YMCA. This paved path is a good mix of uphill, downhill, and flat. Plenty of shade. Adding mileage is easy if you cruise through the lovely neighborhoods along Willis Rd.