Wilkesboro, NC Walking Trails and Maps

410 Reviews

Looking for the best Walking trails around Wilkesboro?

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

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Activities
Length
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Type
30 Results
Activities
Length
Surfaces
Type

Antiquity Greenway

0.6 mi
State: NC
Asphalt, Boardwalk, Concrete

Ararat River Greenway

2.2 mi
State: NC
Asphalt, Crushed Stone

Boone Greenway Trail

4.75 mi
State: NC
Asphalt, Boardwalk

Caldwell Station Creek Greenway

2.6 mi
State: NC
Asphalt, Boardwalk, Concrete

Catawba River Greenway

4.8 mi
State: NC
Asphalt

City Walk

2.5 mi
State: NC
Asphalt, Concrete

City of Lenoir Greenway

7 mi
State: NC
Asphalt

Elkin & Alleghany Rail-Trail

1.5 mi
State: NC
Crushed Stone

Emily B. Taylor Greenway

2.3 mi
State: NC
Asphalt

Heritage Trail Greenway

1.5 mi
State: NC
Asphalt

Marcia H. Cloninger Rail-Trail

1.7 mi
State: NC
Asphalt

McDowell Creek Greenway

1.6 mi
State: NC
Asphalt

Mount Airy Greenway Connector

2.2 mi
State: NC
Asphalt

Muddy Creek Greenway

4 mi
State: NC
Asphalt

New River Trail State Park

57.5 mi
State: VA
Crushed Stone

South Fork Rail-Trail

2 mi
State: NC
Crushed Stone, Dirt

Statesville Greenway Trail

6 mi
State: NC
Asphalt, Gravel

West Branch Rocky River Greenway

2.8 mi
State: NC
Asphalt

Yadkin River Greenway

8.2 mi
State: NC
Asphalt, Crushed Stone, Dirt
Accordion

Bethabara Greenway

2.6 mi
State: NC
Asphalt, Boardwalk, Dirt, Gravel, Sand, Woodchips

Emerald Necklace

13 mi
State: NC
Asphalt, Concrete

Railroad Grade Road

10.8 mi
State: NC
Asphalt

South Fork New River Greenway

1.8 mi
State: NC
Asphalt

Troutman Rail-Trail

1 mi
State: NC
Concrete

Salisbury Greenway

4.05 mi
State: NC
Asphalt, Boardwalk, Concrete

Beaverdam Creek Trail

0.75 mi
State: VA
Asphalt, Boardwalk

Laurel Creek Trail

3 mi
State: TN
Gravel

South Prong Rocky River Greenway

2.2 mi
State: NC
Asphalt

Yadkin River Trail

2 mi
State: NC
Asphalt, Dirt
Trail Image Trail Name States Length Surface Rating
Antiquity Greenway is a half-mile segment of the Town of Cornelius' growing collection of multiuse paths and is part of the trail loop called the Emerald Necklace. The paved trail begins on Zion...
NC 0.6 mi Asphalt, Boardwalk, Concrete
The Ararat River Greenway is a pleasant, hard surface trail in Mt. Airy, NC. The trail gets its name from the Ararat River, and was part of an initiative to restore the waterway with the twin goals of...
NC 2.2 mi Asphalt, Crushed Stone
Following and crossing the winding route of the South Fork of the New River in the Blue Ridge Mountains community of Boone, the Boone Greenway Trail features a mix of open meadows and dense forests....
NC 4.75 mi Asphalt, Boardwalk
Caldwell Station Creek Greenway is 2.6 miles of paved, smooth multiuse trail through the woods and wetlands of Cornelius. The trail is a local treasure, popular with locals for a workout in nature, as...
NC 2.6 mi Asphalt, Boardwalk, Concrete
The 4.8-mile Catawba River Greenway meanders, along with its river namesake, through the historic town of Morganton, North Carolina. About the Route The trail encompasses wooded areas, open...
NC 4.8 mi Asphalt
The City Walk is part of the Hickory Trail network and provides an important off-road route through downtown Hickory. From its eastern end on 8th Street by Lenoir-Rhyne University, the trail heads...
NC 2.5 mi Asphalt, Concrete
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
The Elkin & Alleghany Rail-Trail is part of an effort to connect the rural town of Elkin with the nearby Stone Mountain State Park, utilizing the long-abandoned route of the historic Elkin & Alleghany...
NC 1.5 mi Crushed Stone
Stretching from Veteran’s Park to Worth St, in western Mt. Airy, is the Emily B. Taylor Greenway. The trail has been a hit with residents since the its construction in 2001, and remains arguably one...
NC 2.3 mi Asphalt
The Heritage Trail Greenway is a multiuse path in Newton, North Carolina. The first two phases of the trail are complete, stretching 1.5 miles from West 7th Street, winding through the wooded...
NC 1.5 mi Asphalt
The Marcia H. Cloninger Rail-Trail, known locally as the Lincolnton Rail-Trail, offers a chance to explore the heart of this small Southern town, highlighted by a stately courthouse, model Main...
NC 1.7 mi Asphalt
About 12 miles north of Charlotte, the McDowell Creek Greenway links the communities of Huntersville and Cornelius and is included in the Emerald Necklace trail loop. The paved, 1.6-mile route is also...
NC 1.6 mi Asphalt
This connector trail links Mount Airy’s two most popular trails, elevating the experience on each by providing an uninterrupted 6-mile walk or ride along the three greenways. The v-shaped trail, which...
NC 2.2 mi Asphalt
The Muddy Creek Greenway follows its namesake waterway through woodlands and meadows in the western outskirts of Winston-Salem. The mix of environments makes the trail a birdwatchers paradise....
NC 4 mi Asphalt
Southwest Virginia’s New River Trail is one of America’s premier rail-trails; the U.S. Department of the Interior even designated it an official National Recreation Trail in 2002. The trail also...
VA 57.5 mi Crushed Stone
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
Statesville’s greenway system is still a collection of unlinked segments, but there are plans in place to build a truly connected non-motorized path network. Today, the discrete sections offer a...
NC 6 mi Asphalt, Gravel
Closure notice: The Virginia Creeper Trail is now open between open from Abingdon to Damascus, about 17 miles. Severely impacted by Hurricane Helene, the rest of the Virginia Creeper Trail remains...
VA 33.7 mi Gravel
This trail follows alongside the West Branch of the Rocky River in Davidson, NC and is a part of the Carolina Thread trails complex. The greenway offers a refreshing walk or ride into nature, passing...
NC 2.8 mi Asphalt
Currently made up of seven sections, the Yadkin River Greenway offers 8.2-miles of trails covering approximately 10 miles from theW.Kerr-Scott Dam through Wilkesboro and North Wilkesboro, and ending...
NC 8.2 mi Asphalt, Crushed Stone, Dirt
Accordion
The Bethabara Greenway is a multiuse, multisurface trail that takes users through historic Bethabara in the City of Winston-Salem, NC. Bethabara was a settlement founded in the 18th Century by...
NC 2.6 mi Asphalt, Boardwalk, Dirt, Gravel, Sand, Woodchips
The Emerald Necklace is a developing 13-mile trail loop of greenways and multiuse paths in the towns of Cornelius, Davidson, and Huntersville. The route makes use of portions of the Caldwell Station...
NC 13 mi Asphalt, Concrete
The Railroad Grade Road is a 10.8-mile road built on an old railroad grade 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
The South Fork New River Greenway offers a winding, paved pathway through the town of Boone, nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. Brookshire Park is at the northern end of the trail...
NC 1.8 mi Asphalt
The 1-mile Troutman Rail-Trail runs from Troutman's business district to a newer north end shopping area, following the former rail bed of the Statesville to Charlotte Norfolk Southern Line. The...
NC 1 mi Concrete
The Salisbury Greenway is a developing trail network in the City of Salisbury that connects residential areas, local businesses, schools, restaurants, recreational spaces, parks, open fields, and...
NC 4.05 mi Asphalt, Boardwalk, Concrete
The Beaverdam Creek Trail gets its name from the circa-1905 Beaver Dam Railroad, which it follows through the southwestern Virginia town of Damascus. A highlight of the route is the trail's...
VA 0.75 mi Asphalt, Boardwalk
The Laurel Creek Trail takes travelers into the Cherokee National Forest in Johnson County. There is no shortage of scenery in this wildlife rich-haven, where rushing waters slice through serene...
TN 3 mi Gravel
As its name suggests, this multiuse path travels along the South Prong of the Rocky River in Davidson, Mecklenburg County. The South Prong Rocky River Greenway is included in the trail loop called...
NC 2.2 mi Asphalt
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

Virginia Creeper National Recreation Trail

Virginia Creeper Trail

April, 2026 by bfergusongardner

The Creeper Trail is still one of my favorite trails. I love riding it from the Abington end and from the Damascus trailhead. Both are absolutely beautiful and well worth the trip.

New River Trail State Park

Rode the entire trail over two days April 2026. Exceptionally well maintained trail and beautiful scenery throughout. Trail was well packed and very easy to ride. Kudos to the staff who maintain the trail.

April, 2026 by jamesuramjr

Rode the entire trail over two days April 2026. Exceptionally well maintained trail and beautiful scenery throughout. Trail was well packed and very easy to ride. Kudos to the staff who maintain the trail.

Emerald Necklace

**Emerald Necklace: A Scenic Vision with Navigational Challenges**

March, 2026 by aswheele

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.

Accordion

New River Trail State Park

“Our Favorite Trail—Beautiful in Every Season”

March, 2026 by aswheele

Hands down our favorite trail. We’ve hiked the entire trail (not all at once) and biked it end to end, and no section ever disappoints—no matter the season.

An added bonus is the park’s occasional van tours. Options include routes from Cliffview to Foster Falls and from Foster Falls to Pulaski. These guided tours offer wonderful insight into the area’s history and the former rail line.

Be sure to check the park’s website for tour details.

Railroad Grade Road

This is a ROAD

December, 2025 by malror

I am also a local. To the tourist that think this is meant to be a trail—it’s a ROAD. people live here and are driving to and from work. we are constantly made late by people riding bikes and leisurely walking while refusing to let cars by and being hateful because they are out of towners who believe this to be a biking trail. i’m sorry but it’s just not, this road is dangerous enough as a vehicle coming up on another vehicle. that becomes disaster when there’s people standing in blind curves taking pictures and gawking when people are trying to go make a living and not be made late by out of touch tourists.

Emerald Necklace

Outsiders Not Welcome

November, 2025 by bjmcgowin

This trail the was nice but clearly intended for residents only. Businesses around it with signage stating “not trail parking.” Little to no parking access for non residents. Construction on trail but detours from the trail side are poorly marked but seem to be well marked in the residential areas surrounding. Trail is really several trails with one area not accessible to the other. Not sure why it is listed as “a” trail. Should be two. If you can access it you will enjoy it but good luck. We tried multiple points and spoke to people on it that did not have any good recommendations.

Virginia Creeper National Recreation Trail

Awesome ride from Damascus to Abingdon

October, 2025 by ibew241

We rode from Damascus to the end of the trail in Abingdon. The weather was sunny and mild, temps were in the high 60’s. Trail conditions were excellent. Traffic on the Creeper was brisk, even on Friday during the school year. This ride completed our previous ride from Damascus to White Top back in 2022. Maybe someday we will be able to ride the east end, a lot of work needs to be done to put the trail back together following Hurricane Helene. Be sure to visit the local stores in Damascus: Damascus Outfitters, Damascus Brewery, Appalachian Heritage Distillery, the Damascus Diner, Damascus Pizza, etc.

Yadkin River Greenway

Nice

October, 2025 by 9gxdp5j8vt

Nice evening riding spot ¿¿¿¿¿

New River Trail State Park

Draper to Foster Falls today!

October, 2025 by suzbhar

Great ride! Challenge was avoiding the walnuts that fall this time of year! We saw several deer. 2 bounced down the trail right in front of us! The weather was beautiful and the trail was fabulous!

Muddy Creek Greenway

Not Skate friendly

September, 2025 by sketcherdesigns.cp

Been on this trail for many years and it is increasingly hostile to rollerbladers. You are either almost getting run over by the bikers or almost being bitten by a dog who's owner can't handle them correctly. Used to be a good flat spot to rollerblade but its gone down hill because the people who are on have become exceptionally rude.

New River Trail State Park

For my birthday today we biked from Galax to Fries. It was my first real trailhead ride and I loved it. Beautiful scenery to enjoy while on the trail. So many real breath taking views to enjoy during your ride.

September, 2025 by mickoc24

For my birthday today we biked from Galax to Fries. It was my first real trailhead ride and I loved it. Beautiful scenery to enjoy while on the trail. So many real breath taking views to enjoy during your ride.

Statesville Greenway Trail

I loved it

August, 2025 by stonfish74

It was great

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