Emerald Necklace

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 Creek Greenway, the Plum Creek Greenway, the South Prong Rocky River Greenway, the McDowell Creek Greenway, Antiquity Greenway, and the Bailey Road Multi-Use Path.

From the intersection of Statesville Road/US-21 and Northcross Center Court, the Emerald Necklace route runs north along the Caldwell Station Creek Greenway from Statesville Road/US-21 to Old Statesville Road/Highway 115, where it curves east to follow the Bailey Road Multi-Use Path until it connects with the southern end of the Plum Creek Greenway. The route continues north on the Plum Creek Greenway. Crossing the Rocky River, the Plum Creek Greenway ends with a seamless connection to the South Prong Rocky River Greenway.

The Emerald Necklace route continues north and then west on the South Prong Rocky River Greenway. At South Street, there is a seamless link to the Antiquity Greenway. After running along the entirety of the Antiquity Greenway to its southern trailhead (20036 Zion Ave, Cornelius), there is a gap until the route picks up at the McDowell Creek Greenway's northern trailhead (8509 Magnolia Estates Dr, Cornelius). The Emerald Necklace route runs along the McDowell Creek Greenway to its southern trailhead (8871 Sam Furr Rd, Huntersville). There is a gap between the southern trailhead of the McDowell Creek Greenway and the southern end of the Caldwell Station Creek Greenway.

As of February 2023, there are two gaps in the loop—along Jetton Road Ext/Sefton Park Road to Catawba Avenue and along Highway 73/Sam Furr Road. There are plans to build multiuse paths to fill the gaps.

Parking and Trail Access

Parking is available at a number of locations along the trail. Visit the TrailLink map for all options and detailed directions.