Hickory, NC Mountain Biking Trails and Maps

298 Reviews

Looking for the best Mountain Biking trails around Hickory?

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

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Activities
Length
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6 Results
Activities
Length
Surfaces
Type

City of Lenoir Greenway

7 mi
State: NC
Asphalt

Shelby Rail-Trail

1.5 mi
State: NC
Dirt

South Fork Rail-Trail

2 mi
State: NC
Crushed Stone, Dirt

Railroad Grade Road

10.8 mi
State: NC
Asphalt

Bessemer City Park Trail

1.3 mi
State: NC
Boardwalk, Concrete, Dirt

Yadkin River Trail

2 mi
State: NC
Asphalt, Dirt
Trail Image Trail Name States Length Surface Rating
The City of Lenoir Greenway is a system of several loops and endpoints meandering through an urban landscape of parks and open areas, recreation centers, the library and wooded tracts. For more...
NC 7 mi Asphalt
Shelby's rail-trail winds through the western edge of the city between West Grover Street and Dixon Boulevard. Following the former right-of-way of Norfolk Southern Railroad, the unpaved pathway...
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
The Railroad Grade Road is a 10.8-mile roadĀ built on an old railroad gradeĀ that was once part of the Virginia-Carolina Railroad (Virginia Creeper). This part of the Virginia Creeper line was abandoned...
NC 10.8 mi Asphalt
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 multi-use Yadkin River Trail accommodates pedestrians, bicyclists and joggers in the beautiful Happy Valley area of Caldwell County. The 2-mile trail is paved and includes a walking loop near the...
NC 2 mi Asphalt, Dirt

Recent Trail Reviews

South Fork New River Greenway

Great for walks, not biked

July, 2025 by janskinj

Nice paved trail with plenty of parking and handy facilities. Great for taking a stroll but midday on a Monday was too crowded for biking. Walkers with head phones that do not hear you ring, beep and call out and walk down middle of path. Segment by sewage processing plant wad S T I N K Y. Lots of deer ¿¿¿¿, covered bridge, river and wooded areas were very picturesque. The gravel trail to the left after the bridge led to a great off road ride through the hills. Very little traffic, cool curves and fun switchbacks. Peaceful and fun. ¿¿¿¿¿

Railroad Grade Road

felt unsafe

July, 2025 by janskinj

Drove out here from Greensboro to bike. Pulled up to the closed Fleetwood post office to park in gravel lot next door. Passed 7 cars/trucks and 2 tractors on this narrow road with many blind curves mid morning on a Monday. Did not feel safe. Was not a low to no traffic road in our experience. Pivoted and went to Boone Greenway

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.

Accordion

Bailey Road Multi-Use Path

nice hilly trail

May, 2025 by jeffdeitrick60

Very hilly nice trail. Paved and sidewalks.

Plum Creek Greenway

shorty but good

May, 2025 by jeffdeitrick60

One of many varied trails in the area. Nice smooth paved trail

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.

West Branch Rocky River Greenway

nice trail

May, 2025 by jeffdeitrick60

Difficult to get to by bicycle. Lots of narrow surrounding roads with no shoulder. Best to transport your bike there.

McDowell Creek Greenway

great short run

May, 2025 by jeffdeitrick60

Very hilly. Currently has confusing detours. Not a bad trail. Good route from Cornelius down to Birkdale village. Slippery when wet!

Emerald Necklace

decent loop

May, 2025 by jeffdeitrick60

I do this loop a couple times a week. It’s a series of greenways and residential roads forming a ā€œloopā€. Be prepared for some hills. I use an ebike so there are no issues. It does have a lot of wood bridges which can get slippery when it’s damp.

Railroad Grade Road

Road still closed at the bridge so less traffic

April, 2025 by jadams9

I’ve ridden this twice since Helene. Once last Fall and then again in March 2025. There isn’t much traffic since the road is closed at the bridge — which is about half way. Bikes can cross the bridge and ride around the road damage past the bridge. It would be 5 stars for scenery if it weren’t for the fact there are still cars — just fewer than normal. Helene was such a devastating storm. ¿¿Appalachia Strong!

Little Sugar Creek Greenway

3184 Gilroy Dr, Fort Mill, SC 29707 access and parking

March, 2025 by mbham704

The access and parking is still blocked off to outside visitors leaving nowhere to park without the risk of being towed. This seems wrong for an open greenway.

Thermal Belt Rail Trail

Wonderful trail, great signage, trail wasn't to busy. Stop by Grumpys if you have any bike needs. They are super friendly and have great accessories. Only improvement I would make is a restroom at each TH.

March, 2025 by marcuslrawls

Wonderful trail, great signage, trail wasn't to busy. Stop by Grumpys if you have any bike needs. They are super friendly and have great accessories. Only improvement I would make is a restroom at each TH.

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