20 Best Trails and Hikes in Charlotte

1. Reedy Creek Nature Preserve Trail

• Distance: 4.5 km
• Elevation Gain: 58 m
• Route Type: Loop
• Dog Friendly: Yes
• Difficulty Level: Easy

The Reedy Creek Nature Preserve Trail is a 2.7-mile-long trail with an uphill climb of 58 meters in total. It takes around 1 hour to complete and it is a trail that is very easy for hiking.

The route leads to the outskirts of Charlotte and the Reedy Creek Nature Preserve. There's a little dragonfly pond, bridges spanning the stream, lots of animals, and plenty of shade provided by the trees.

Along the route are seats and resting spots with lovely views. The route consists of a mixture of dirt and gravel, with occasional tree roots to be cautious of. There is space for parking near the trailhead.

2. Colonel Francis Beatty Park Loop

• Distance: 6.0 km
• Elevation Gain: 56 m
• Route Type: Loop
• Dog Friendly: Yes
• Difficulty Level: Moderate

This dog-friendly trail, the Colonel Francis Beatty Park Loop is moderately demanding with 3.7 miles of total hike and 56 meters of uphill climb. It takes a little more than 1 hour to complete the hike.

Moreover, this is a multipurpose trail good for hiking and mountain riding. Bicyclists should travel counterclockwise, and hikers should travel clockwise. There is minimal to no elevation increase on this singletrack circular path.

Although it has some minor technical aspects, users of all skill levels may still enjoy it. Remember that there may be patches of uneven ground on the path, and be advised that riding mountain bikes on wet tracks is prohibited.

3. Stevens Creek Nature Trails

• Distance: 6.1 km
• Elevation Gain: 50 m
• Route Type: Loop
• Dog Friendly: Yes
• Difficulty Level: Easy

The Stevens Creek Nature Trail is a simple yet beautiful trail and it is 3.7 miles long with 50 meters of uphill to climb. This easy trail takes around 1 hour and 15 minutes to complete.

It is not only popular as a trail for hiking but for walking as well as running. During the day time, you can enjoy alone time while it is usually crowded during morning and evening. It does not have any specific time to visit as it's alluring all the time and it's open all year.

4. Shady Hollow and Pine Hollow Trail

• Distance: 3.7 km
• Elevation Gain: 59 m
• Route Type: Loop
• Dog Friendly: Yes
• Difficulty Level: Moderate

The 2.2-mile-long Shady Hollow and Pine Hollow Trail is a moderately difficult one with around 59 meters of uphill climb. On average it takes around 50 minutes to complete. 

It is therefore a well-maintained and well-marked route that winds through a shady forest with streams, an abundance of wildlife, and vistas of Lake Wylie, leading to McDowell Nature Preserve. Also, it is well-liked in the vicinity including camping, fishing, and kayaking. There is a parking area and a nature center near the trailhead.

5. U.S. National Whitewater Center Loop

• Distance: 9.7 km
• Elevation Gain: 148 m
• Route Type: Loop
• Dog Friendly: Yes
• Difficulty Level: Moderate

The U.S. National Whitewater Center Loop is around a 6-mile long trail with 148 meters of uphill to climb and it should take a bit more than 2 hours to complete the trail.

This is a dog-friendly trail but keeping them on a leash is a must, considering the safety and comfort of the people on the trail. Hence, the Whitewater Center charges a parking fee for trail access. The US National Whitewater Center's finest features are combined in one loop. The Channel Loop, South Main Loop, and North Main Loop are combined.

6. Evergreen Nature Preserve Loop

• Distance: 2.9 km
• Elevation Gain: 22 m
• Route Type: Loop
• Dog Friendly: Yes
• Difficulty Level: Easy

Several short trails from the Evergreen Nature Preserve trail system make up this loop. The Norland Loop Trail, Evergreen Trail, Tulip Tree Trail, Clear Creek Trail, and Potters Road Trail are among the trails. There are basketball and tennis facilities in the neighborhood park where the loop's far end ends.

At the trailhead, there is a small paved parking lot as well as a structure housing bathrooms and a picnic shelter. At the northwest end of the route, in the paved parking lot off Norland Road, two places are labeled as accessible. They each have a striped access aisle and are van-accessible.

The trail's surface is usually between three and six feet wide. The paved Norland Loop at the northwest end of the path is the most easily accessible section.

7. Little Sugar Creek Greenway

• Distance: 8.2 km
• Elevation Gain: 38 m
• Route Type: Out & back
• Dog Friendly: Yes
• Difficulty Level: Easy

The Little Sugar Creek Greenway is an easy trail and is around 5 miles long. It should take around 1 hour 30 minutes to complete the hike. This South Charlotte greenway walk is paved and pleasant, and it's close to South Park Mall. Through the woodland area is also a dirt mountain bike track.

It is presumably possible for visitors to use strollers, wheelchairs, or other mobility aids on this trail. When it comes to parking, the trailhead has two designated accessible places, two van-accessible spaces with access lanes, and a paved parking lot surface.

8. Clarks Creek Greenway

• Distance: 8.7 km
• Elevation Gain: 57 m
• Route Type: Out & back
• Dog Friendly: Yes
• Difficulty Level: Easy

The Clarks Creek Greenway is an excellent route for strolling by the creek while taking in the peaceful sounds produced by little waterfalls. Parts of the roadway get coated in mud from flood leftovers during specific periods of the year. pleasant bike lanes with several bridges.

The sketched path is neatly paved and the entire trail is partly shaded. Proceeding inside University Research Park will lead you onto a compacted gravel track. At the southwest end of the route, in the paved parking lot off Mallard Creek Road, two places are certified as accessible. They each have a striped access aisle and are van-accessible.

9. McAlpine Creek Loop

• Distance: 4.8 km
• Elevation Gain: 23 m
• Route Type: Loop
• Dog Friendly: yes
• Difficulty Level: Easy

The McAlpine Creek loop is a well-maintained trail that offers a peaceful walk through a partially wooded park. It is an almost 3-mile-long trail with an elevation gain of 23 meters in total and is among the easy trails. It would take around 1 hour to complete it.

There is gravel on the walk, and trees provide shade. Walking the greenway will give you the chance to see a variety of birds as well as the occasional otter or beaver. In addition to passing between ponds, the route is lined with wildflowers that are in full bloom in the spring.

10. Back Yard Mountain Bike Trails

• Distance: 18.2 km
• Elevation Gain: 189 m
• Route Type: Loop
• Dog Friendly: Yes
• Difficulty Level: Easy

Among Charlotte's best trails is the Back Yard Mountain Bike Trails. Extremely tricky, with plenty of steep uphill curves, limited speed allowance, and exaggeratedly steep downruns, and many leaps. After a significant downpour, it can get overgrown and tends to remain rather moist.

Simple to follow if you stick to the red arrows on the main path. Alternatively, take a detour by following the black diamonds off the main path to discover unique features like ramps that have been created by the local MTB club. But be advised, it's easy to become disoriented while deviating off the main path.

11. Freedom Park Pond Loop

• Distance: 1.3 km
• Elevation Gain: 3 m
• Route Type: Loop
• Dog Friendly: Yes
• Difficulty Level: Easy

The Freedom Park Pond Loop is another easy trail that is very short as it takes less than 15 minutes to complete. It is only 0.80 miles and the total amount that you will have to climb is just 3 meters. This trail is also dog-friendly but they must be on a leash.

This is a fully paved, very pleasant track. There is also a link between the route and the Little Sugar Creek Greenway. While you can walk the entire path on the paved portion, there are little, unmarked trails in certain places that are worth exploring and it is recommended for kid-friendly strolls as well.

12. North Main Trail

• Distance: 3.4 km
• Elevation Gain: 48 m
• Route Type: Loop
• Dog Friendly: Yes
• Difficulty Level: Easy

The North Main Trail is an easy trail that takes around 45 minutes. It is 2.1 miles long and starting at the Figure 8 black diamond track, there is a significant drop in.

After the drop-in, remain left to stay on North Main, then take Jackrabbit out the other side. There is a lot of downhill on this path, so you might have to move quickly. Because of its steep incline, be careful when pedaling and account for the hills.

13. Mallard Creek Greenway

• Distance: 14.8 km
• Elevation Gain: 51 m
• Route Type: Out & back
• Dog Friendly: Yes
• Difficulty Level: Easy

The beautiful Mallard Creek Greenway is an easy hike of 9.1 miles as it takes around 2 hours and 45 minutes. Talking about its total upward climb, it is about 51 meters, and it is mostly prevalent for birding, mountain biking along hiking.

Since it is quite a popular trail, you will see some people on this trail so don't expect it to be less crowded. As this trail is a dog-friendly trail they can be brought together but please keep in mind that they are always on a leash to avoid any disturbances and problems.

14. South Main and Slalom Course

• Distance: 4.5 km
• Elevation Gain: 65 m
• Route Type: Loop
• Dog Friendly: Yes
• Difficulty Level: Easy

The South Main and Slalom Course is a one-hour-long trail that is just about 2.7 miles long. The total amount of climb is 65 meters on this trail in total as it is considered among the easy trails.

Not just for hiking it is equally popular for mountain biking. After the sun is out the trail is usually quiet so if you are planning alone time, you should come during the daytime but you can expect some crowd in the morning and evening.

15. Robinson Rockhouse Trail

• Distance: 2.9 km
• Elevation Gain: 37 m
• Route Type: Out & back
• Dog Friendly: Yes
• Difficulty Level: Easy

The ruins make a nice turnaround point for the simple and enjoyable Robinson Rockhouse hike, which offers some excellent sights along the way. After thunderstorms, conditions are usually soggy but bearable; morning walks offer better conditions.

September is usually warm, which makes the trail's shady sections extremely pleasant. All things considered, this route is a good choice for those who enjoy the outdoors and can be finished in little more than forty minutes.

16. McAlpine Creek Greenway

• Distance: 19.2 km
• Elevation Gain: 48 m
• Route Type: Out & back
• Dog Friendly: Yes
• Difficulty Level: Easy

This family-friendly paved greenway has one road crossing that you must cross to continue on the route; it's around 3.0 miles in the north. At the southwest end of the route, in the paved parking lot off Sardis Road, two places are labeled as accessible.

They both have striped access aisles and are van-accessible. The trail's surface is smooth and made of concrete or asphalt. Usually, it is at least five feet across. A painted boundary diminishes the width of a portion of the route. This easy trail is a long one so it could take you around 3 hours and 30 minutes to complete.

17. Dragonfly and Kingfisher Pond Loop

• Distance: 1.8 km
• Elevation Gain: 22 m
• Route Type: Loop
• Dog Friendly: Yes
• Difficulty Level: Easy

The quick Dragonfly and Kingfisher Pond Loop is an easy trail that wouldn't take any longer than 25 minutes to complete. The 1.1-mile-long trail has 22 meters of uphill to climb and is common for running, walking as well as hiking.

If you are someone who is looking for a peaceful state of mind and wants alone time then visit during the daytime as it may get crowded in the early morning and evening. Since this trail is dog-friendly, you can take your dog with you but only if you leash them.

18. Kingfisher Trail

• Distance: 2.9 km
• Elevation Gain: 58 m
• Route Type: Out & back
• Dog Friendly: Yes
• Difficulty Level: Easy

The Kingfisher Trail is a 1.8-mile-long, easy trail with 58 meters of uphill to climb. It should take around 45 minutes to complete the trail but it depends from person to person on how early one finishes it.

If you are expecting beautiful scenery, this might not be the one for you as the scenery is very limited but you will get to see some gorgeous Lake Wylie views. Hence, the Kingfisher Trail is among the pleasant wooded hike in Mc Dowell Nature Reserve.

19. McMullen Creek Greenway

• Distance: 5.5 km
• Elevation Gain: 12 m
• Route Type: Out & back
• Dog Friendly: Yes
• Difficulty Level: Easy

McMullen Creek Greenway is a pleasant urban hike that's ideal for taking the kids on a Sunday afternoon or popping by in the afternoon after work. For the first three-quarters of a mile, the route is made of pit gravel; beyond that, it is either asphalt or elevated wood decking.

This trail is popular with cyclists, walkers, joggers, and hikers. There is a tiny picnic area near the start and plenty of seats are spaced out throughout the route.

20. McDowell Chestnut Loop

• Distance: 1.8 km
• Elevation Gain: 36 m
• Route Type: Loop
• Dog Friendly: Yes
• Difficulty Level: Moderate

The last one on the list, the McDowell Chestnut Loop is a moderate difficulty level hiking trail that is 1.1 miles long and has an elevation gain of 36 meters. These hiking trails near Charlotte are very short and it does not take more than 27 minutes to complete.

To enjoy some quality time alone you can visit here in the daytime. As the trail is open 365 days, there is no specific day to visit here. The trail is dog-friendly so you can take them with you but remember to keep them on a leash all the time.