Looking for beautiful places to hike or bike near Charlotte?
Whether you’re new to exploring or you’ve been searching for the best hiking in Concord, NC, Cabarrus County has something for everyone. From family-friendly hiking loops to mountain biking thrills and paved walking trails near Charlotte, NC, this guide is packed with outdoor fun for all ages.
Just northeast of Charlotte, Cabarrus County blends peaceful green spaces with easy access from cities like Concord, Harrisburg, and Kannapolis. Whether you’re local or visiting from the Queen City, these trails are a great way to connect with nature.
So, lace up those boots and check out some of the top trail systems to hike or bike throughout Cabarrus County in the list below!
Unpaved Hiking & Biking Trails in Cabarrus County
These trails are perfect if your family loves wooded paths, mountain biking, or getting a little muddy on the trail!
Carolina Thread Trail
Length: 12.6 miles completed in Cabarrus County
Planned: 105.1 miles total planned
Difficulty: Easy to strenuous
Trail Type: Both paved and natural
Great For: Hiking, running, mountain biking, watersports
Carolina Thread Trail Website
The Thread is a multi-county, regional trail system that offers 11 segments in Cabarrus County alone! There are over 300 miles of land trails to explore and 170 miles of water trails, with stunning views. The public can access launch points throughout the system to kayak, canoe, and participate in other watersports that connect to other land trails across North and South Carolina. The Carolina Thread Trail is expanding, with a master plan to eventually join the current 11 segments in Cabarrus for a total of 105.1 miles of trail in Cabarrus County.
The Buffalo Creek Preserve Trail
Length: 2.1 miles one way
Difficulty: Moderate
Trail Type: Gravel & natural surface
Great For: Hiking, walking, mountain biking, running
The Buffalo Creek Preserve Trail
The Buffalo Creek Preserve Trail is one of The Thread’s featured trails. The trailhead is particularly interesting due to conservation efforts by the Catawba Lands Conservatory, being made up of a restored Piedmont Oak Savannah. The trail continues past streams and wetlands, through working farmland, into serene habitats, and finally through young forests. The trail is also part of the Butterfly Highway, a conservation initiative to create networks of pollinator-supportive plants and habitats.
Pharr Family Preserve Trail
Length: 1.7 miles
Trail Type: Natural surface
Great For: Quiet walks, wildlife spotting
Pharr Family Preserve Trail
A peaceful path along the river, great for older kids who love a more immersive nature walk.
Little Meadow Creek Trail (Reed Gold Mine)
Length: Less than a mile
Trail Type: Natural surface
Great For: Short nature walks, historical interest
A nature detour at the historic Reed Gold Mine site that makes for a quick and educational trail break. Check out our full review on Reed Gold Mine. Free
Reedy Creek Nature Preserve Trails
Length: Multiple short loops
Trail Type: Natural surface
Great For: Nature hikes, birdwatching, family exploration
Get our full review on Reedy Creek Nature Preserve Trails.
Reedy Creek offers a variety of shaded, wooded trails just outside of Charlotte. Families can enjoy trails like the Dragonfly Pond Loop, Sassafras Trail, and Robinson Rockhouse Trail — all with plenty of spots for nature-watching and peaceful walks. These are great for a quiet escape into nature and are well-suited for school-age kids and up.
Trails for Mountain Biking in Cabarrus County
Brown Mill Mountain Bike Trail
Length: 4.25 miles
Difficulty: All skill levels
Trail Type: Dirt, singletrack
Great For: Mountain biking
Located just a few miles from Downtown Concord, NC, the Brown Mill Mountain Bike Trail has something for all skill levels to enjoy. There are multiple dips, flow sections, jumps, switchbacks, rock features, and a gravity cavity that make it a premier spot for mountain biking. The trail is suitable for most riders and is perfect for biking multiple laps to hone your skills.
Rob Wallace Park
Length: 3.5 total trail miles
Difficulty: All skill levels
Trail Type: Mix of dirt and gravel
Great For: Mountain biking, walking, playground, fishing, picnics
Rob Wallace Park is located in Midland and offers a skills area for beginner to expert mountain bikers to perfect their skills along with balance features and berms. Within the park is the Powder House Trail, a one-mile-long riding trail, as well as the 0.7-mile Quarry Loop.
Paved Walking Trails in and Around Cabarrus County
These trails are stroller-friendly, bikeable, and great for beginners or relaxed family outings. If you’re hunting for walking trails in Charlotte, NC or nearby, these are top picks!
Hector Henry Greenway
Length: 5.7 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Trail Type: Paved with boardwalks
Great For: Walking, hiking, biking
The Hector Henry Greenway is part of The Thread trail system and connects beautifully with other walking trails in Charlotte, NC and nearby communities. Families love the boardwalks, wetlands views, and paved paths for an easy outdoor outing.
The Hector Henry Greenway runs along the Rocky River and connects three segments, The Mills at Rocky River, Riverwalk, and Moss Creek. The trails are primarily paved and are considered easy for biking and walking. The Greenway is part of The Thread trail system and offers wildlife viewings, boardwalks, educational displays, and gorgeous views of the surrounding wetlands.
Village Park
Length: Multiple paved trails throughout the 16-acre park
Difficulty: Easy
Trail Type: Paved paths in a park setting
Great For: Walking, biking, splash pad, carousel, train ride
Here’s our Kidding Around Review of Village Park.
Located in Kannapolis, Village Park offers over 16 acres to explore. There are paved walking paths throughout the park through green space, perfect for picnics and outdoor recreation. The park also offers a splash pad and a ride-on train, the Rotary Express Train, which is a g-24 scale replica. The cost for the train is $1.50 per person and it is open on weekends from April until September. In addition, there are picnic shelters, a carousel, music concert series, and special events at this park to enjoy during your walk or bike trip.
Harrisburg Park
Length: 2.5 miles of trails
Difficulty: Easy, Moderate, and Difficult options
Trail Type: Mix of paved and natural trails
Great For: Walking, hiking, biking, playground, splash pad, amphitheater
Harrisburg Park has over 2.5 miles of both paved and natural trails to explore for both hiking and biking. The Ball Field Loop is considered easy and is approximately 0.5 miles long, perfect for strolling or letting your kids join you on your walk. If you’re looking for something more difficult, the Harrisburg Extension Loop offers 1.5 miles of trails with some moderate to difficult hills to climb as you venture through the forest and across three creek crossings. In addition, the park offers a large playground, a splash pad in summer, and special events at the amphitheater.
Frank Liske Park Jogging Trail
Trail Type: Paved loop
Great For: Easy walks, strollers, scooters
Location: Concord, NC
Frank Liske Park Loop
A gentle and quiet path for families who want an easy walk with space to picnic.
Clarks Creek & Mallard Creek Greenways
Trail Type: Wide, paved trails
Great For: Biking, jogging, strollers
Location: Near Charlotte
Clarks Creek & Mallard Creek Greenways
These walking trails near Charlotte, NC are popular with families looking for nature close to the city.
Toby Creek Greenway
Length: 2.8 miles
Trail Type: Paved
Great For: Walking, biking
Location: Charlotte area
Toby Creek Greenway
Smooth and accessible — ideal for side-by-side walks or pushing a stroller.
Irish Buffalo Creek Greenway – Veterans Park Loop
Length: 3.1 miles
Trail Type: Paved
Great For: Biking, walking, casual family outings
Irish Buffalo Creek Greenway
A great place to start if you’re looking for Charlotte hiking trails that are fully paved.
Harold B. McEachern Greenway
Length: 2.2 miles
Trail Type: Paved loop
Great For: Family walks, scooters, relaxing strolls
Harold B. McEachern Greenway
A peaceful, short loop that’s big enough for kids, small enough to conquer.
Want to Explore More Charlotte Hiking Trails?
While Cabarrus County has plenty of outdoor gems, you’ll also find some amazing Charlotte hiking trails just a short drive away. Here are a few family favorites nearby:
- McDowell Nature Preserve – Lakeside trails, boardwalks, and wildlife views just outside Charlotte.
- Four Mile Creek Greenway – A stroller-friendly favorite that connects neighborhoods and nature.
- Latta Nature Preserve – Great for longer hikes, water views, and spotting bald eagles!
- Little Sugar Creek Greenway – Perfect for walking or biking, and links to parks, shops, and more.
- Anne Springs Close Greenway – Located just south of Charlotte with tons of easy, scenic hiking trails.
Many of these Charlotte trails for hiking connect to greenways or family-friendly parks, offering a mix of nature and amenities.
Are you ready to explore the outdoors in Cabarrus County?
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