Find the top rated running trails in Newton, 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.
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Road 10 miles of this trail from the Gilky trailhead down into Forest City. Thoroughly enjoyed it – what a well done project especially the upper half where you can ride for miles without stopping. It was a cool overcast Sunday afternoon so not many people out and about, but frequent benches and areas to rest, especially in the lower half. Would highly recommend.
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!
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
The ride was okay
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.
A delightful, albeit short, trail in Elkin, NC.
We stopped to check out this trail on our way south after riding the longer New River Trail State Park rail trail, and we're glad we did. Even though it is only 1.8 miles long (3.6 miles round trip), it was a fun ride featuring a dam, two bridges, two underpasses, and excellent interpretive signage.
The trail surface is more sandy than crushed stone, with a few gentle inclines. There is plenty of parking, although a few additional restroom facilities would be a welcome addition. Be sure to bring your own water; if there were any drinking fountains, I didn't see them.
Even on a Thursday morning, the trail was busy with walkers and dog owners enjoying the beautiful surroundings. While this is not a trail I would drive a long distance specifically to ride, it makes an excellent stop when traveling to or from one of the area's longer trail systems.
The trail currently comes to an abrupt end, and I hope it is extended someday. For those seeking a little more adventure, there is a mountain bike trail branching off the main route, along with at least one hiking trail.
I highly recommend this trail if you're in the area. It would have earned five stars from me if it had been a bit longer.
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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