The Best Cycling Routes in Charlotte, North Carolina

Biking in Charlotte
Biking in Charlotte | © James Willamor / Flickr
Shawndra Russell

Charlotte, North Carolina, may not have won any awards for being the best cycling city in America, but cycling enthusiasts can find routes long and short in and around the city to keep them occupied. Here are the five best cycling routes in the Queen City.

Huntersville

Consider this 25-mile (32-kilometer) loop if you’re planning on hanging out at Lake Norman after your ride. This route also flows along the shores of Mountain Island. Keep your eyes peeled for the million-dollar houses that occupy these places. Lots of people like to enjoy a picnic or camping at the Mountain Island Lake before or after a ride.

Route for Huntersville, NC, USA

https://www.instagram.com/p/BdP0VDchsjt/?taken-at=237274487

Huntersville Business Park

For a shorter ride, head to this park for an easygoing three-mile (4.8-kilometer) loop. Locals particularly love it for being a safe and well-lit route, and it too has easy access to Lake Norman.

Route for Huntersville Business Park, NC, USA

Sunset over Lake Norman

Mallard Creek to Clark’s Creek Greenways

Mecklenburg County, where Charlotte resides, has a number of greenways that together create nearly 200 miles (322 kilometers) of developed and undeveloped trails. This section comprises seven of those miles, with many weaving through the UNC-Charlotte area.

Route for Mallard Creek to Clark’s Creek, Charlotte, NC, USA

https://www.instagram.com/p/BS6lFZUgvbv/?taken-at=264730288

McAlpine Greenway

Another part of the greenway that runs near Charlotte’s University, this section can be an add-on for your Mallard Creek section, as it’s only four miles (6.4 kilometers) long. Nature lovers will also enjoy the rich wildlife in the area, including almost 200 species of birds.

Route for McAlpine Greenway, Charlotte, NC, USA

McAlpine Greenway

Harrisburg

Head out of town northeast 15 miles (24 kilometers) in order to jump on this 25-mile (40-kilometer) route in Harrisburg. Plan for an ascent of about 900 feet (274 meters). This route begins and ends near Hickory Ridge High School.

Route for Harrisburg, NC, USA

https://www.instagram.com/p/BEFEWoxjHoG/?taken-at=1336763

Little Sugar Creek Greenway

This path is great for those who want to add some fun stops between pedaling. Indeed, this greenway connects Birdsong Brewing to many other hot spots in NoDa and beyond. A five-mile (eight-kilometer) stretch around Uptown will eventually become a 19-mile (30.5-kilometer) greenway.

Route on Little Sugar Creek Greenway, Charlotte, NC, USA

Little Sugar Creek Greenway Urban Section Pedestrian Downtown

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.

Culture Trip Spring Sale

Save up to $1,100 on our unique small-group trips! Limited spots.

X
close-ad
Edit article