One interesting aspect about Charlotte is that no particular area around the city stands out as the epicenter of hiking. The best trails lie in every direction and they are spread out, so no matter where you live in Charlotte, or no matter where you’re staying while you’re visiting, you’re likely to find a great trail nearby if you know where to look. This book makes it easy. It’s divided into regions that include downtown Charlotte and the regions east, west, south, and north of town. Simply flip to the table of contents and check out the trails in the region closest to you.
If you’re unsure where to start in your hiking explorations, then look no further of this book for a list of recommended hikes grouped in nine categories. The trails in this book have been selected to not only provide a selection of the best hikes in the city but also to provide a reflection of the different types of trails, routes, terrain, and environments you can experience around Charlotte. All of the trails in the book are day hikes and are offered in a variety of multiple lengths and varying difficulty, from a short and flat walk through a forest and around a pond on one of Charlotte’s many great greenway trails to an arduous 7-mile foray into a mountainous wilderness.
In putting this book together, I made sure that it offered more than rugged trails through long trudges of mountains and gaps. I wanted this book to offer routes through every aspect of Charlotte. That’s why it includes walks through downtown that let you explore key attractions, parks, and dining districts; a route through the amazingly restored Historic Fourth Ward neighborhood, where you can take in the city’s finest 19th-century homes; and detailed routes through two of the country’s best botanical gardens: the University of North Carolina at Charlotte Botanical Gardens and the Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden. While the above are not challenging walks in the woods, they are just as memorable and really give you the opportunity to experience Charlotte as a whole and not just its parks and forests.
AN EASTERN FENCE LIZARD SUNBATHES BESIDE THE TRAIL AT LATTA PLANTATION.
Die-hard hikers have no need to worry, though: I’ve included plenty of day-long ambles over rocky-topped mountains that get the heart racing and the calves pounding and take you to awesome vistas with views for miles. For these types of readers, the challenging hike to Shoal Falls, an 80-foot waterfall in South Mountains State Park, would be a great place to start.
It is my hope that the book offers the right types of trails for many different types of people, and that it reaches an audience that is interested in exploring all of the hiking and walking experiences that Charlotte has to offer. In a time when so many folks seem to be increasingly disconnected from the outdoors, I’m proud to share these amazing trails. I hope this book will get people outdoors hiking or walking, and in the process contribute to their overall mental and physical well-being.
Whether you’re a local or a visitor, I hope you’ll use this guidebook to make some discoveries as well as visit some old favorites. Also, most of these trails are surrounded by other trails and outdoor destinations that are definitely worth exploring. So don’t just stick to the routes I’ve written about here. Get out on your own and explore Charlotte’s trails, greenways, parks, and walking routes, and find your own favorite five-star trail.
Recommended Hikes
Best Challenging Hikes
8 South Mountains State Park: High Shoal Falls Trail
12 Morrow Mountain State Park: Fall Mountain Trail
13 Morrow Mountain State Park: Sugarloaf Mountain Trail
26 Crowders Mountain State Park: Trail Combo
Best for Children
15 Reedy Creek Nature Preserve: Dragonfly Pond Loop
16 University of North Carolina at Charlotte Botanical Gardens
22 McAlpine Creek Park: Pond Loop
23 McDowell Nature Preserve: Trail Combo 1
27 Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden
28 Kings Mountain National Military Park: Battlefield Trail
29 Kings Mountain State Park: Historic Farm Trail
32 U.S. National Whitewater Center: North Main Trail
Best for Dogs
3 Irwin Creek and Stewart Creek Greenway
19 Cane Creek Park: Northern Red Loop Trail
21 McAlpine Creek Greenway Loop
25 Crowders Mountain State Park: Lake Loop
Best Easy Hikes
16 University of North Carolina at Charlotte Botanical Gardens
27 Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden
Best for History