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When you're looking to get out of the house for an hour or two, this makes for a great spot. If you find parking difficult on Mallard Creek Road, you can head over to the University Place shops and park there. After heavy rainfall, expect a good deal of mud and wear the proper footwear.
Mallard Creek Greenway
The Channel Loop is one of the shortest, but it has the potential to be action-packed. On its own, it's a nice way to get a feel for what the U.S. Public parking is available, and the segment passes through four parks.
DuPont State Recreational Forest
Here’s a look at some great hikes within a two-hour drive of Uptown Charlotte, in order of closest to farthest. As you’re planning your hike, know that weekdays are best for less-crowded park experiences. Check out our guide for Accessible Pathways to Adventure in Charlotte for even more options. Going on a hike is really just a walk through the woods of varied length, intensities, and altitude changes. Exclamation Point is a short, moderate hike (less than 1 mile) to a viewpoint where you can see fantastic views of Chimney Rock and the nearby valley. For hikers who want a more strenuous challenge, head to Party Rock (2.3 miles) for absolutely spectacular views of the valley and nearby lakes.
Plan the Ultimate Day Trip in Western NC

Get to these views in no time with its convenient location off Highway 64 and short walk from the parking area until you’re under them. You can extend your hike beyond the viewing platform and travel along the Foothills Trail to the Lower Falls for more spectacular views. Along the trail, you’ll walk alongside the Whitewater River which supplies all the water to both the roaring Upper and Lower Whitewater Falls. Get to the parking area early if you’re visiting during a busy time! It can fill up quickly and spots are hard to come by later in the day. Erwin’s View Trail is the upper trail and an easy 1.6 mile moderate hike that takes you to 3 different gorgeous viewpoints.
Enjoy Wild Ponies, Family Hikes at Grayson Highlands State Park - Charlotte Parent
Enjoy Wild Ponies, Family Hikes at Grayson Highlands State Park.
Posted: Mon, 26 Mar 2018 07:00:00 GMT [source]
This short mile-long loop off of the Blue Ridge Parkway has several rock platforms 4,340 feet up to take in the mountain. You can even see Grandfather Mountain from the western summit. If you wanted a longer hike, you could add Tanawha Trail to the Linn Cove Viaduct and Rough Ridge as part of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail.
Lake Norman State Park
Take advantage of the other trails in the park and enjoy the view of Lake Lure from the top of Chimney Rock while you’re here. Grandfather Mountain State Park is one of North Carolina’s most iconic hiking spots. It’s also home to some of its toughest hiking — think rugged terrain with the occasional ladder or cable. Uwharrie National Forest is also about an hour east of Charlotte. It covers 52,000 acres, including the Birkhead Mountains Wilderness, a 5,100-acre wilderness that has what the U.S. Forest Service describes as possibly the oldest mountains in North America.
Carolina Thread Trail – Clark’s Creek Nature Preserve
10 local women hike Kilimanjaro: ‘If you can do that, you can do anything’ - WSOC Charlotte
10 local women hike Kilimanjaro: ‘If you can do that, you can do anything’.
Posted: Wed, 15 Mar 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
There is a $6 fee for parking but once you're inside the park, you have access to a variety of trails and you can easily spend an entire afternoon getting lost in nature. If you have younger kids, they could certainly handle this trail. There isn't much in the way of elevation gain and dogs must be kept on leashes. The Rocktop is well-managed and easy to navigate, with its clearly marked “red square” trail blaze. However, the terrain on this aptly-named trail can be formidable in places and may be better suited for more experienced hikers.
Anne Springs Close Greenway
Or explore the list below for more of the best hikes, waterfalls, and campgrounds throughout the state. The Linville Gorge Trail, a 3-quarter mile strenuous hike is the other option here where you can explore the scenes from the base of Linville Falls. That’s much more challenging but allows you to experience the roar of the water from a lower vantage point. This trail has a lake and is ideal for runners, hikers, mountain bikers, and those just looking to escape into nature for a bit. One of the best day hikes near Charlotte is Mallard Creek Greenway, a 9.2-mile, heavily trafficked trail located near Charlotte. We highlighted the Hollow Rock Trail, but we suggest exploring all the trails here.
Best Hiking Trails in Charlotte, NC (Rustic Hikes To Urban Trails)
Water lovers will enjoy the 5-mile Lake Shore Trail in Lake Norman State Park, which spans the perimeter of a small peninsula. While the trail can get popular in peak season, there’s a lot of space and small secluded areas to get your peace and quiet and enjoy the company of the lake and the surrounding trees. When you're planning your next trip and considering flying with Aeromexico, safety might be at the top of your mind. It's natural to wonder about the safety records of airlines these days, especially with the amount of travel we all do. Aeromexico, as one of the leading carriers in Latin America, often comes under scrutiny. If you or a loved one uses a wheelchair, the parking lot is paved and there are several accessible spots.
From .75 to 1.3 miles in length, the hiking trails at the North Carolina Arboretum are a great intro to hiking. Not only are they well-maintained and accessible, but you can take in some of the man-made beauty of the gardens post-hike. Each of the 3 trails winds through areas dense with wildflowers, ferns, and various tree species. You don’t have to have a killer hike to get killer views.
Safety concerns are valid, especially when it's about flying thousands of feet above the ground. When you're planning your next trip and considering flying with Compass Airlines, it's natural to wonder about their safety record. After all, ensuring a safe journey is at the top of everyone's list. But diving into the world of airline safety can feel like navigating through a maze. When you're planning your next trip and considering flying with Envoy Air, it's natural to wonder about the airline's safety record. After all, your safety is paramount, and you want to ensure you're making the best choice for your travel.
It houses nine trails that offer 7 miles of hiking in Charlotte NC, many of which give you scenic views of Lake Wylie. The South Fork Trail is an easy, flat, out-and-back trail covering 2 miles each way. It carries along the South Fork of the Catawba River near Charlotte. The hike is particularly enjoyable for those who want to explore the riverside and see how its calm waters transform into a choppy, rocky river within a short distance. Mature trees shade the entirety of this trail during the summary-springtime months.
The main challenge of the trail is the overgrown roots trees, but it is fairly easy. Do note that mountain bikes are not permitted when the trails are wet. The trail can be a bit overgrown and the bridge can be out, but other parts of it are partially paved. It is a 4.3-mile, heavily trafficked loop that has a lake and many activities for hikers.
What might be the oldest mountains in North America rise up from Uwharrie's 52,000 acres, and you can explore them on 40 miles of trails. Mostly flat hiking trails and nearly 31 miles of single-track mountain bike routes make this a popular spot for day trippers looking to take in views of Lake Norman. There are 17 miles of shoreline in the park, all of it made even more majestic when the fall leaves reflected in the waters. The Pinnacle Trails is another popular trail that winds through the Crowders Mountain State Park.
Charlotte, North Carolina, certainly fits the bill as a major urban city, with a population just shy of one million. But while hiking may seem like an unlikely pastime, residents and visitors can easily trade the concrete jungle for happy trails. Hikers can experience the beautiful diversity of over 48 different species of trees and observe wild shrubs and herbaceous flowers in bloom.
Along the trail, you will also come across the banks of Lake Wylie, housed within the preserve, where you can take in incredible views of the lake. Less than half an hour’s drive from Downtown Charlotte lies the South Fork River Trail and Blueway Access. This amazing trail runs alongside the South Fork of the Catawba River and is accessible to both runners and bikers. The ridgeline trail not only takes you to the top of Kings Mountain but also continues onwards to SC via a rolling ridgeline that eventually leads to a bottomland forest.
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