Table Of Content
Near the South Carolina border is the McDowell Nature Center, a hub for educational programming and preservation. From the nature center, explore the 1,132 acres of forested terrain along the banks of Lake Wylie from one of the hiking trails. Traverse the outer edge of the preserve on the 4.5-mile trail loop that combines the Cove, Cedar Ridge, Creekside and Chestnut Trails.
Uwharrie National Recreation Trail
If you head toward the creek, you will have a chance to see salamanders and crawfish. Sign up to receive news, updates and exclusive offers direct to your inbox. Stand on the bridge a watch for bald eagles soaring in the skies and take in the views of the Broad River. We asked avid hiker and photographer Jim Ogden to tell us about some hikes you might never have heard of…but you should. Unless otherwise captioned, all of these photos are the property of Jim Ogden and are used with permission. Find amazing destinations, unique trip ideas, the best hotels, and most comfortable resorts.
Mallard Creek Greenway
Hiking up to the High Shoal falls is 2.7 miles in the most gorgeous woodland paradise you can imagine. The Hemlock Nature Trail is even wheelchair-accessible with boardwalks along a .75 mile route while Chestnut Knob is a bit more challenging and clocks in at 4 miles roundtrip. It’s a great spot for hiking near Charlotte if you don’t want to travel too far but still want a nice, accessible trail through the forest.
East Main Loop
If you’re a beginner and are only going to tackle one easy hike in Charlotte, we’d strongly recommend this one for the most varied and picturesque views. This multi-purpose trail running, biking, and hiking in Charlotte, NC is a local favorite, and is perfect for families or dog owners wanting a no-frills, easy walking path. Because it is an urban trail, don’t expect to feel like you’re out in the wilderness, but you will get to see some nice views of the creek and the surrounding forest along the trail.
6 reasons to hit the trails at the U.S. National Whitewater Center - Charlotte Observer
6 reasons to hit the trails at the U.S. National Whitewater Center.
Posted: Sun, 13 Oct 2019 07:00:00 GMT [source]
There have been multiple wildlife sightings on this trial, including deer, woodpeckers, and even a few turtles. There are water views along the loop and you're sure to get a good workout in as you hike this semi-strenuous trail. When you walk along the creek, you may even spot some crawfish and salamanders. After you've spent a couple of hours hiking and spotting wildlife, you can sit down at a picnic bench and enjoy lunch. A series of canals once made the Catawba River navigable now serve as a spot to explore along its banks, with mostly flat trails that take in views of the water. The trails are best explored from May to June when thousands of rocky shoals and spider lilies bloom along the river.
Her days were spent reading a book on the beach and enjoying a cold glass of sweet tea in between classes at the University of North Carolina Wilmington. Upon graduation, she met her partner, Cameron, and they traveled the world together crossing 85 countries and seven continents. Most of the trail is shaded and runs alongside a river offering opportunities to spot various species of local birds, North Carolina spring wildflowers, salamanders, and crawfish. As the elevation is minimal and the trail is paved, the hike isn’t a tiring one.
It’s not only a straight-shot highway drive in less than an hour but it also sports trails that range from easy jaunts with a toddler in a backpack to grueling mountain treks. The Cane Creek Mountains are part of a new nature park that acts as a natural heritage site for visitors to explore. Within lies a 1.6-mile section of the Carolina Thread Trail, officially called the Cane Creek Trail.
The 8 best hikes in and around Charlotte
Thanks to a now healthy and thriving natural habitat, an array of birds, grasses and wildflowers can be seen along the creek. As the name implies, this pedestrian walking path winds along a waterway through the heart of the city. For the past decade, the area has been the focus of massive beautification and restoration efforts, and the greenway is the result of that ongoing project.
Morrow Mountain State Park – Morrow Mountain Loop Trail
The path is large enough for everyone to space out and you can easily find a spot for a quiet moment of solitude on your hike. This hiking loop provides the opportunity to not only explore nature from the trail but to go fishing and birdwatching as well. With sections of the trail partially paved, you can access part of the path by wheelchair. If you're searching for the perfect hiking trail, you'll find many of the more popular options below. The routes range from easy to challenging and include everything in between, making them varied enough for any type of hiker.
Located just one hour from Charlotte, the Vertical Mile Challenge hike in Rocky Face Mountain Recreational Area is a solid, strenuous hike to get your blood flowing. While you can hike Hollow Rock Loop on its own, for experienced hikers, we recommend combining both hikes for an extra scenic and challenging adventure. For beautiful views and a hike that you can write home about, the Vertical Mile Challenge & Hollow Rock Loop trail is one of the best hikes near Charlotte.
The park is relatively active, so you're unlikely to be completely alone while on the trail. If you want to beat the crowds, consider going on a weekday as the weekends can get crowded. You can find some peace and quiet on slow mornings when you'll have the place to yourself. If you're thinking about making this hike after it has just rained, you should grab some duck boots because there are going to be areas of mud. Overall, there is a good deal of shade and you can enjoy your hike without worrying about heatstroke. The Kingfisher follows the coastline, offering waterfront stops where you can bring out the binoculars or grab a snack.
Linville Falls is a popular destination in the Gorge as well. If you’re looking for a wonderful fall hiking trail with lots of photo opportunities, the Fall Mountain Trail at Morrow Mountain State Park is a great option. While there are lots of trails in the Morrow Mountain area, we like Fall Mountain the best for its variety, between mountain views, quiet forest paths, and picturesque sections. Locals love this trail for being extra quiet and peaceful, which is a great choice for weekends to let go of some of the stress of your daily city life.
The trail is hard to traverse and takes roughly 30 minutes to complete. It covers a loop around the 80-acre Rankin Lake, offering beautiful sights of its blue waters, fishing pier and boat dock, and the plentiful wildlife surrounding it. The Hickory Nut Falls Trail is a moderate-difficulty trail that is only a 1.5-mile round trip.
