Find the top rated snowmobiling trails in North Carolina, whether you're looking for an easy short snowmobiling trail or a long snowmobiling trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a snowmobiling trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
I rode the entire Neuse River Trail (and a bit of the Clayton River Walk) over Labor Day 2021. I started at the Wake Forest trailhead and ended a little past mile 30 in Clayton. I'm used to riding on rail trails that while flat and easy to ride offer very few turns or elevation changes. The Neuse River Trail offers many curves, multiple small elevation changes and just one road crossing (a very quiet country road) along its almost 30 mile length. These constant changes make the Neuse River Trail an exciting departure from my usual rail trail rides.
The trail itself is entirely paved and in immaculate condition. Possibly one of the best paved trails I've ever rode on. There are mile markers every quarter mile and the trail has very clear signage to take one of the many turn offs to a parking lot, a development or even another trail.
My only criticism is that there is only one or two obvious points to get water/bathrooms/something to eat (one being Anderson Point Park). I'm sure there are more options down one of the many turn off points but it was not obvious to me from the trail. Another point of concern is trail etiquette, I did not have any close calls but many cyclists would quickly pass me (I was averaging in the low to mid-teens) without calling out sometimes around some curves. This trail will require your constant attention due to its many curves, slopes and sometimes inconsiderate riders but I found it to be one of the best rides I've taken in a long while and highly recommend this trail.
A nice day out. Such a nice trail to relax and bike or walk around the outskirts of Boone. A great asset to the community.
We rode end to end and back yesterday on our tandem. It’s a very nicely done trail and the pavement is smooth as silk. It’s probably not a destination trail, but if you’re in the area, you don’t want to miss it. There are plenty of places to grab a drink or a bit to eat. There is a bike shop in Spindale. The at-grade crossings are plentiful in a few of the towns, but we still managed a decent pace and the crossings were well marked and safe.
The Thermal Belt is a lovely trail, now with a smooth, 12' asphalt surface. It's the 2nd longest rail-trail in NC, after the American Tobacco Trail. The one caution: Be careful not to let your front wheel wander off the pavement. There's a 3" drop-off to loose gravel shoulders. Those shoulders slope away from the pavement. So your next destination is a ditch. If Rutherford County will build up the shoulders, then the Thermal Belt will become much safer.
Trail is marked open from dawn to dusk
Smooth as heck. Excellent scenery. Decent mix of trees and open space. Some slight hills, good mix of winding roads and straight away. Everyone will enjoy. Easy to navigate as posts state which turns are exits! NC best!
Short trail best for walking. Lots of places where tree roots have split the pavement making a very bumpy ride. Connects through park to Stadium trail but it quickly becomes a ride on city sidewalks. Not great for those looking for a long ride away from cars
Mostly sidewalks through town. Crosses major roads, a couple crosswalks. Not good for biking.
We attempted to go along the trail to enjoy the bridge shown in the pictures but it was very apparent once arriving that it no longer exists. Not sure at which point it was dismantled but be prepared not to be able to go from one end of the trail to the other.
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