Find the top rated running trails in Morganton, whether you're looking for an easy short running trail or a long running trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a running 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.
I’d give this greenway 4/5 stars. Parts have been re-paved but there are still some areas of broken asphalt and pot holes. If you start from the Asheville side, it is a steep ride down. Think more than Virginia Creeper Trail plus. The parking area is very limited to off the shoulder gravel. The Old Fort side has a less clearly marked parking near a church and is a very steep incline the entire way up. There are several nice benches with beautiful views along the way. There are areas washed out likely due to Helene so vigilance always near the shoulders. I’d recommend as long as you realize what you are facing.
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!
I did some recon on this trail on it's eastern edge and it was completely overgrown. Would make a nice project if you could get some money behind it. At this point, it's basically inaccessible.
We visited Biltmore yesterday, stayed the night in Asheville, then drove nearly an hour to this trail and glad we did. The trail is well maintained with clear markings. Only a few small areas were raised or bumpy and those were clearly marked with bright red spray paint. We wish all paved trails were in this good of condition! Rene’ and Greg
I tried three different locations to park and get on this trail. The very end as mentioned on this ABP gas station which shows an access trail which is very overgrown and the James Ross wildlife rehab which this app states there’s parking. None of which worked I do not recommend attempting to access this trail from York, South Carolina Carolina.
While I do not have firsthand knowledge of this trail, I learned from conversations with local residents that, except for portions of the trail in York, SC, much of the corridor is currently overgrown and undeveloped. A review of Google Maps satellite imagery appears to support those observations.
That is unfortunate, as the region would greatly benefit from a longer rail trail connecting communities and providing additional recreational opportunities. Hopefully, future development efforts will bring more of this historic rail corridor back into public use.
The trail from the Johnson City isn't bad albeit mainly downhill until you get to G Street in Elizabethton... Once in Elizabethton the ride sucks due to numerous road crossing, dis-courteous drivers who park in the cross hatches.
The suspension bridge is now fully repaired. The trail is in good condition. Wish there were trees around the parking lot for shade.
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.
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