Hickory, NC Mountain Biking Trails and Maps

278 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
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
Overview 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...
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

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.

Railroad Grade Road

As it's title indicates, it's a road

August, 2024 by samanthamozel29

While not much traffic exists on this road, the cars that drive down drive quite fast and I feel this isn't the best place to send people for a walk. If there were a sidewalk going along this road, I think this would be a wonderful and lovely place to recreate.

Accordion

Yadkin River Greenway

Getting better all the time

August, 2024 by tarheeltim76

The Yadkin River Greenway offers a pleasant dose of nature right in the middle of town. https://myfox8.com/spotlight/my-town/fox8-checks-out-the-wilkes-county-bike-tour/

-The unpaved Jefferson Turnpike section follows the path of an old log flume up the Reddies River. It's about two miles out-and-back. You'll find tall trees, a slow moving stream and plenty of peace and quiet on this stretch.
-The greenway's red section begins at Smoot Park in North Wilkesboro, tracing one of the Yadkin's faster flowing stretches. It's a great place to see waterfowl and wildflowers. It links to the green Mulberry Fields section that follows the Yadkin and Reddies Rivers from West Park to West D Street. A spur crosses the river and climbs up the route of an old carriage trail to downtown Wilkesboro. The Health Foundation has installed outdoor exercise equipment for adults at the West Park trail head. Smoot Park has restrooms, a pool and an inclusive playpark. All of these trails are paved with a soft shoulder for running. About six miles round-trip.
-The paved blue section runs along the Yadkin and Cub Creek from the YMCA to Wilkes Community College. About two miles round-trip.

The greenway system has grown over the years, and plans are underway for further expansion.

Railroad Grade Road

Recommended with reservation

August, 2024 by tarheeltim76

I live just down the mountain from the Railroad Grade Road and have ridden it for many years. Hereā€™s the good and the bad. The good: 1) The road winds along the banks of the scenic South Fork of the New River, flanked by tall peaks and wildflowers. Itā€™s simply gorgeous in spots. 2) Historic Todd is a quaint village with a creekside park, bakery, summer concerts and bike repair station. 3) The road is virtually pancake flat, a rarity in the mountains. The bad: 1) This is a rail-to-road, not a rail-to-trail, so recreational users must share the narrow roadway with motorists. The road is usually sparsely traveled, but itā€™s busier on summer weekends, the very time many cyclists and runners take to the road. 2) Amenities are lacking. As other reviewers have noted, it can be hard to figure out where to park, and there and no public bathrooms along the road except for a port-a-jon at Todd Island Park. 3) Land use restrictions are virtually nonexistent, so vacation homes and travel trailers are popping up along the riverbank, increasing traffic and marring the views in spots.

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 youā€™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 Clarkā€™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

Iā€™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. Itā€™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.

Little Sugar Creek Greenway

South End Trail Parking Not Available

July, 2024 by rmcinc4566

Trail parking is NOT available at the south end of this trail, marked on the trail map as 3190 Gilroy Rd, Fort Mill, SC. The parking lot has been blocked off by the subdivision it is located in.
Northern parts of the trail around Charlotte are under construction. Diversion signage is inadequate. Lots of 1" to 2" mud sections on Northern part of trail after some heavy rains.

Little Sugar Creek Greenway

Little Sugar Creek Trail

July, 2024 by amy2paul

So far this one has been our favorite! Love looking at the creek as it follows the path. The asphalt was well maintained and most of it is shaded. It has some cute artwork along the way. Riding into Charlotte/Freedom Park was pretty. We wish it was completed. And we had a hard time finding a place to stop to eat. We tried to get on at the trail head at Gilroy Drive (in a residential neighborhood) that was listed on the route map and found it chained off and picnic tables in the parking lot. If it is a private spot it should be listed as so on the map. Other than that, it was a very enjoyable ride!

Thermal Belt Rail Trail

Bike/Trike Riders

July, 2024 by amy2paul

We were camping at Yogi Bear Resort in Bostic, NC and drove m trike and husbandā€™s bike to the trail. It is a very nice trail, with well maintained, wide asphalt paths. More than half is shaded and through nature with the other parts parallelling roads and shops. You cross several roads but the crossings are well marked and almost everyone stopped to let us cross even when they had the right of way. Very enjoyable ride.

Yadkin River Greenway

Red & Green are nice trails

June, 2024 by normanbowers

Red and green connect and make for a 6 mile ride round trip. Ride is mostly along the river with a few side connections. Don't let the confusing TrailLink description discourage you, you can't get lost. There is no reason that I could figure out why these trails are color coded.

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