North Carolina Mountain Biking Trails and Maps

932 Reviews

Looking for the best Mountain Biking trails around North Carolina?

Find the top rated mountain biking trails in North Carolina, 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.

City Trails and Maps in North Carolina

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Activities
Length
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Type
20 Results
Activities
Length
Surfaces
Type

Ararat River Greenway

2.2 mi
State: NC
Asphalt, Crushed Stone

Atlantic & Yadkin Greenway

7.74 mi
State: NC
Asphalt, Concrete, Crushed Stone

City of Lenoir Greenway

7 mi
State: NC
Asphalt

Dismal Swamp Canal Trail (NC)

2.75 mi
State: NC
Asphalt

Nantahala Bikeway

1.2 mi
State: NC
Asphalt

Princeville Heritage Trail

3 mi
State: NC
Dirt, Grass

Salem Lake Trail

7 mi
State: NC
Asphalt, Dirt

Sam's Branch Greenway

2.6 mi
State: NC
Asphalt, Boardwalk

Shelby Rail-Trail

1.5 mi
State: NC
Dirt

South Fork Rail-Trail

2 mi
State: NC
Crushed Stone, Dirt

Buffalo Creek Preserve Trail

2.1 mi
State: NC
Crushed Stone, Dirt, Gravel

Gold Hill Rail-Trail

2.2 mi
State: NC
Dirt, Gravel

Mine Creek Trail

6.5 mi
State: NC
Asphalt, Dirt, Gravel

Railroad Grade Road

10.8 mi
State: NC
Asphalt

Roanoke Canal Trail

7.8 mi
State: NC
Crushed Stone, Dirt

Eagle Spur Rail-Trail

2.3 mi
State: NC
Dirt

River to the Sea Bikeway

11 mi
State: NC
Asphalt

Winston-Salem Strollway

1.2 mi
State: NC
Asphalt, Concrete, Crushed Stone

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 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
Closure Notice: The northernmost trestle bridge along the route is closed between Bur-Mil Park and Strawberry Rd. for replacement. Please check with the City of Greensboro for more current...
NC 7.74 mi Asphalt, Concrete, Crushed Stone
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 Dismal Swamp Canal Trail is a paved, heavily wooded pathway along the eastern border of Dismal Swamp State Park. The park offers more than 112,000 acres of forested wetlands and is teeming with...
NC 2.75 mi Asphalt
The 1.2-mile Nantahala Bikeway extends from National Forest Rd./Winding Stairs Rd. to the Nantahala Gorge raft launch site in the Nantahala National Forest. A half-mile of the trail follows an...
NC 1.2 mi Asphalt
In 1865, at the end of the Civil War, freed slaves were drawn to an encampment of Union troops along the Tar River in eastern North Carolina. When the troops left, the settlers stayed, calling the...
NC 3 mi Dirt, Grass
Overview Originally created in 1911, the 365-acre Salem Lake offers a recreational haven on Winston-Salem’s east side. Holding approximately a billion gallons of water, the lake provides a third of...
NC 7 mi Asphalt, Dirt
Sam's Branch Greenway is a short, but scenic trail in the town of Clayton, just south of Raleigh. The trail forms a paved ribbon through the woods along Sam Branch. The first phase was 1.25 miles...
NC 2.6 mi Asphalt, Boardwalk
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
The Buffalo Creek Preserve Trail provides a 2-mile moderately challenging hike or mountain bike ride in the rural community of Mount Pleasant, about 30 miles northeast of Charlotte. The unpaved trail...
NC 2.1 mi Crushed Stone, Dirt, Gravel
A trip along the Gold Hill Rail-Trail through this historic village will transport you back to a time when North Carolina was the country's major gold-producing state. Signs posted every few hundred...
NC 2.2 mi Dirt, Gravel
The Mine Creek Trail consists of five distinct segments: Bent Creek (paved), Inman Connector (unpaved), Ironwood (paved), Lake Park (unpaved), Sawmill (unpaved) and Shelley Lake (paved). The segments...
NC 6.5 mi Asphalt, Dirt, Gravel
Overview 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...
NC 10.8 mi Asphalt
The Roanoke Canal Trail is a beautiful recreational biking route from the town of Roanoke Rapids to Weldon. The trail follows one of the country's most impressive and best-preserved early 19-century...
NC 7.8 mi Crushed Stone, Dirt
The Eagle Spur Rail-Trail follows 2.2 miles of the former Durham-New Hill Railroad, from Stagecoach Road along New Hope Creek to Jordan Lake. When you're done exploring the Eagle Spur, cross over...
NC 2.3 mi Dirt
The River to the Sea Bikeway (WMPO Bicycle Route 1) is an 11-mile, on- and off-road bicycle route that follows the Historic Beach Car Line, which carried vacationers from downtown Wilmington to...
NC 11 mi Asphalt
As its name suggests, the Winston-Salem Strollway presents the perfect setting for a leisurely walk. Completed in 1988, the popular rail-trail links Winston-Salem's modern business district with...
NC 1.2 mi Asphalt, Concrete, Crushed Stone
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

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Recent Trail Reviews

Little Sugar Creek Greenway

Clean, well kept, and paved the entire way. The trail is well marked; however, there was construction so we had to go around certain areas. Me and a friend ran the entire trail and it was beautiful.

December, 2024 by kaelynkellogg

Clean, well kept, and paved the entire way. The trail is well marked; however, there was construction so we had to go around certain areas. Me and a friend ran the entire trail and it was beautiful.

McDowell Creek Greenway

Secluded Suburban Trail

November, 2024 by maryepalermo

Saturday afternoon ride on a bright November day. Surprisingly limited number of cyclists, walkers, runners, & strollers. Entered at Birkdale Village Trailhead. Congested area. Suggest trying Catawba Road instead. Shaded trail with elevation changes and some crossings.

Little Tennessee River Greenway

Great little trail but a few spots are unpaved.

November, 2024 by susancnett

This is a nice trail that runs beside and crosses over the river. Most of the trail is paved, but parts were not paved or were perhaps covered in sand and dirt. (Hence the 4-star rating.) I am unsure if it is always this way or a result of the recent Hurricane that passed this way. (Fall 2024).

I was impressed with the number of benches along the trail and the great signs helping us know where to go. One portion (in Franklin) runs through an unpaved parking lot behind some stores. At first, we were confused but then we saw a sign explaining where to go to get back to the trail.

Also in Franklin is a small "Women's History Park" with a statue and plaques explaining the park and the statue. It was worth the time to look and read.

There are also some cafes and restaurants in that area so you can enjoy a quick coffee or a more relaxed meal.

Being autumn, there was a lot of "tree debris" on sections of the path but overall this was a nice path that we hope to enjoy again.

Accordion

Four Mile Creek Greenway (Town of Matthews)

Great for strollers

November, 2024 by mrsbeem2019

We love this trail. Sometimes bikers don’t use proper etiquette when passing families with small children; however, it’s a great trail for families. Watch out for baby brown snakes. They come up every once in a while, typically after a storm.

Reservoir Park Greenway

Not so much this trail but all the others that attach to this one. Many spots with 4" of sand. Walking would be great. Bikes with narrow tires forget it. I have 3"tires and I fish tailed all over. Nice place and very clean. Restrooms were clean.

November, 2024 by stevehicks_tl

Not so much this trail but all the others that attach to this one. Many spots with 4" of sand. Walking would be great. Bikes with narrow tires forget it. I have 3"tires and I fish tailed all over. Nice place and very clean. Restrooms were clean.

Caldwell Station Creek Greenway

Great trail. still not complete

November, 2024 by v.londhe

I rode my bike on this trail last weekend. It was beautiful with the fall trees..there los a small in complete section. But otherwise it is a great greenway. The leaves were turning and so it looked beautiful!

Jacksonville-Camp LeJeune Rail-to-Trails

trail head - new bridge middle school

October, 2024 by stevemurray29

Small parking adjacent to new bridge middle school football field. Also park at middle school. 34.75177° N, 77.42777° W

Thermal Belt Rail Trail

wonderful trail

October, 2024 by keowe

We just rode this trail yesterday. It was open all the way. They did have a lot of trees down but all are cleared off the trail. Highly recommend this trail.

Roanoke Canal Trail

great trail for a quick ride

October, 2024 by bermudamann

fun short trail with mountain bike if you're travelling on I-95 to break up the drive. Has some flowy S curves and small hills and minor roots. Scenic spots along the river and amongst the trees.

Little Sugar Creek Greenway

wonderful!

October, 2024 by simonsays60

We started at freedom Park to go south towards South Carolina. There are detour signs as you leave the park that are hard to find. Once you get on the trail along the river, it is smooth sailing with no stops.

Dunn-Erwin Rail-Trail

Trail needs lights and porta johns

October, 2024 by dalee3

Beautiful trail, but would be better if there were lights along the trail despite the worries if it disturbs our wildlife.

Having lights would make the trail feel much safer to walk on, especially in the winter evenings when it gets darker earlier. Namely, the wooded area closer to Erwin would be ideal since it's a bit more remote than other sections of the trail.

Also, it would be worthwhile putting some porta johns along the trail for those who may need to use the bathroom.

Gary Shell Cross-City Trail

Severe Parking Shortages for Trail Access

October, 2024 by luckydogupcyle

The lack of adequate parking for walkers along the trails is a glaring oversight by the planning board. It’s evident that they were aware of this shortfall when they designed the parking options. Unfortunately, the influence of developers and boards dominated by politicians and investors continues to overshadow the needs of the community.

As a result, trail users are forced to park in neighborhood easements near trailheads, creating tension with local residents. The planning board must prioritize the addition of sufficient parking areas rather than catering to commercial interests that prioritize land sales over community needs.

Effective planning should involve acquiring land for parking during the trail development process, yet they ignored this critical issue—particularly on Rose Ave, where the only available parking area was eliminated through land sale. The barriers residents have erected in easements are a direct response to this neglect.

These politically motivated decisions are not just disappointing; they are detrimental to the community. It’s time for the planning board to take a stand for the citizens they serve and make informed, responsible choices for our shared spaces.

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