Five Great Hikes for Fall

As we enter the final quarter of this “Year of the Trail,” it’s fair to say that Fall may be the best season to see many of the local trails and greenways. The good news is, the Charlotte area is loaded with great places to hike and explore! The hardest part is finding enough time to see them all before the last of the leaves turn. Here are five great hikes you’ll want to put on your list for Fall!

Little Sugar Creek Greenway

Now stretching from NoDa’s Cordelia Park and all the way to the South Carolina state line, this accessible, approachable greenway is a local favorite. If the reviews are any hint, visitors are pretty fond of it, too! It truly has something for everyone. Several newly-opened sections make car-free connectivity to nature, retail, and restaurants a reality. And for folks looking to log some quality miles with changing scenery, Little Sugar Creek Greenway won’t disappoint you, either. As part of the XCLT and Carolina Thread Trail, the Little Sugar Creek Greenway is a significant part of the area’s trail network.

Find out more here: https://parkandrec.mecknc.gov/Places-to-Visit/greenways

Whitewater Center

Home to 50-plus miles of trails for hiking, running, and mountain biking across 1300 acres, the Whitewater Center is worth the drive, and the $6 parking fee. The trails are challenging but doable, with spurs and options to make them downright difficult, if you so choose. The entire trail network centers around the world’s largest manmade whitewater river, a retail center and guide shop, plus food and beverage options that range from fast-casual to full-service. The Center also hosts races, festivals, film series, and other outdoor activities, year-round. Note: Check the website for trail status on rainy days!

Find out more here: https://center.whitewater.org

Photo: http://www.center.whitewater.org

Crowders Mountain State Park

Just a 30 miles west of Center City, you’ll feel like you’re a wilderness away from the hustle of city living at Crowders Mountain State Park. This park features two mountain peaks that pay off with spectacular views of Uptown Charlotte and the surrounding Piedmont. There are 20 miles of walking and hiking trails here, plus a visitors’ center at the main entrance, an outdoor classroom, picnic shelters, primitive camping, bouldering, rock climbing, and lots more. The Ridgeline Trail, opened in 2009, connects Crowders Mountain State Park in North Carolina and Kings Mountain State Park and the Kings Mountain National Military Park in South Carolina. Note: Try to get in early when the weather’s nice!

Find out more here: https://www.ncparks.gov/state-parks/crowders-mountain-state-park

Charlotte Rail Trail

Looking for a trail that’s little more urban but still full of adventure and discovery? The Charlotte Rail Trail may be just the ticket. This ribbon of opportunity parallels the light rail line from Uptown to South End, to Wilmore, Dilworth, Southside to Sedgefield. The 3.5 mile trail is a convenient connector for folks who live alongside the path. But most any day you’ll find walkers, urban hikers, inline skaters, bikes, dogs and more along the Charlotte Rail Trail. Whether it’s art, exercise, breweries, cafés, coffee, or a little retail therapy, you’ll find some of what you’re after here. And yes, this is where you’ll find the Instafamous “Magic Carpet Murals,” and the “Confetti Hearts Murals.”

Find out more here: http://www.charlotterailtrail.org

Photo: http://www.charlotterailtrail.org

McAlpine Creek Park Greenway

A Mecklenburg County Parks and Recreation classic! Built in 1978, the McAlpine Creek Greenway is the first public greenway constructed in North Carolina’s western Piedmont. A combination of wide, crushed gravel and paved paths and little to no elevation change, McAlpine is a favorite location for runners, walkers, hikers, dog walkers, parents and kids alike. Easy neighborhood access and trailheads with ample parking make McAlpine a year-round choice for logging some miles.

Nature lovers and the just plain curious will appreciate the variety of flora and fauna that call the creek home. The land around the trail also hosts Mecklenburg County’s only population of a native Lakespur (Delphinium tricorne) a very rare, purple wildflower that blooms in the spring. You can also see the remains of the Lucas Family Grist Mill, a mill constructed in the early 1900s.

Find out more here: https://parkandrec.mecknc.gov/Places-to-Visit/greenways