According to Statistic Library, just 30 minutes of pedaling boosts mental health and lowers blood pressure in both men and women. Bicyclists also tend to have the fitness equivalent to someone ten years younger than they are and a life expectancy two years above the national average. It’s a win, win and with so many bike trails (both cycling and mountain biking) within an hour’s drive of home, we have no excuse but to make the most of bike season.
McAlpine Creek Greenway
8711 Monroe Rd, Charlotte, NC 28212
Distance from CLT: 17 minutes, 9.3 miles
Total Trail Mileage: 5.8 Total Miles
Fun Fact: This is the only Charlotte park where you could run into river otter, beaver, and mink in one area.
Mallard Creek Greenways
210 East Mallard Creek Church Road Charlotte, NC 28262
Distance from CLT: 20 minutes, 13.4 miles
Total Trail Mileage: 9.93 miles
Fun Fact: The best time to visit is the late summer to early fall when numerous species of butterflies greet you on the trails.
US National Whitewater Center
5000 Whitewater Center Parkway, Charlotte, NC 28214
Distance from CLT: 22 minutes, 13.2 miles
Total Trail Mileage: 30 miles
Fun Fact: Whether you are a new trail rider or looking for a challenge, USNWC ranks their trails based on level of difficulty. Check their website before choosing a path.
King’s Mountain Ramble
1277 Park RD Blacksburg, SC 29702
Distance from CLT: 40 minutes, 32 miles
Total Trail Mileage: 21.5 mile loop
Fun Fact: This lengthly loop connects two state parks from southern North Carolina to northern South Carolina.
Little Sugar Creek Greenway
1133 Metropolitan Ave, Charlotte, NC 28204
Distance from CLT: 8 minutes, 1.5 miles
Total Trail Mileage: Over 19 miles once the trail is complete
Fun Fact: Stuck without a bike? Little Sugar Creek greenway features B-stations that make renting bikes easy. Simply pay at the station where you plan on starting and return the bike at your final stop.
Plaza Midwood’s Tuesday Night Ride (PMTNR for Short)
2007 Commonwealth Ave, Charlotte, NC 28205
Distance from CLT: 10 minutes, 2.2 miles
Trail Total Mileage: 15 miles
Fun Fact: As Charlotte’s largest weekly ride in Charlotte, the group stops every 2-3 miles to make sure everyone can keep up. The ride exists to encourage biking and cycling awareness and importance in Charlotte.
Renaissance Park
1200 West Tyvola Road Charlotte, NC 28217
Distance from CLT: 13 minutes, 7 miles
Total Trail Mileage: 6.5 miles
Fun Fact: After your bike ride, enjoy a round of golf, tennis match, round of volleyball or simply enjoy a snack at one of Renaissance Park’s two concession stands.
Lake Norman State Park
759 State Park Rd, Troutman, NC 28166
Distance from CLT: 52 minutes, 38 miles
Total Trail Mileage: 26 miles
Fun Fact: Know before you go! On odd years, trails ride counter-clockwise and on even years, they ride clockwise.
Anne Springs Close Greenway
1604 21 Bypass Fort Mill, SC 29715
Distance from CLT: 25 minutes, 19 miles
Total Trail Mileage: 8.6 miles
Fun Fact: Anne Springs Close Greenway teaches numerous classes for those interested in mountain biking including an intro class and a mountain biking instruction class.
