Crisp air surrounds the Charlotte area, and as we near closer towards the spring months, the urge to get out of the house and explore the outdoors will have many adventurers clawing at the door. One of the best outdoor activities for individuals, friends and family is hiking, and there are plenty of go-to destinations for Charlotte area residents to take advantage of.
Hiking is good for physical, mental and spiritual health. Breathing in fresh air, stretching your legs and clearing your mind all have a positive effect on you and your lifestyle, and with the temperatures at almost the perfect degree, there’s no better time to strap up your hiking boots and find the best hiking trails near you in the Charlotte area.
The automotive team at Audi Charlotte has put together 10 of the best hiking trails near Charlotte for our clients and nearby residents to check out. So, what are you waiting for? Find the best and most ideal hiking trails in Charlotte near you for you, your friends and family to explore!
Here are 10 of the best hiking trails near Charlotte, North Carolina
1) Rocky Face Mountain Recreational Area | 5 miles
Have you been looking for one of the best hiking experiences for the Brushy Mountains near Charlotte? The Brushy Mountains are beautiful and a great palce for you to get first-hand experience of them while hiking is at Rocky Face Mountain Recreational Area in northern Alexander County near Hiddenite. Rocky Face Mountain tops out 600 feet above the surrounding countryside offering great views. Just like its name suggests, this hiking location offers a good bit of rocky exposure, some of which is suitable for top rope climbing. Experience 5 miles of Rocky Face Mountain and the Brushy Mountains at this awesome hiking trail location near Charlotte!
2) Lake Norman State Park, Lake Shore Trail | 5 miles
This hiking trail offers adventurers access to a hike that has its fair share of route near the lake shore. For five miles hikers can trail along the shore of Lake Norman for beautiful, popular and scenic views. This is a great “beginner-friendly” hike, so you don’t need to be an avid or experienced hiker to enjoy the Lake Norman Lake Shore Trail. Be prepared for a swim if you want! A portion of this hike will lead you right to the park’s swimming area, giving you a refreshing activity to look forward to!
3) Bakers Mountain Park | 6 miles
The views at Bakers Mountain Park will take your breath away. The park is spread over 200 acres and is at the highest point in Catawba County. This 1,780-foot summit offers strikingly good vistas, and its foothills are home to a chestnut oak forest that hikers can enjoy as they embark on this six-mile hike.
4) Colonel Francis Beatty Park Loop | 4.3 miles
Colonel Francis Beatty Park Loop is a 4.3-mile loop trail located only a short 30-minute drive outside of the Charlotte city. This hiking destination features a lake, and the trail offers a number of additional activities that are available year-round. Pet lovers rejoice because the hiking trail at Colonel Francis Beatty Park Loop is dog-friendly! This trail is for all levels of hikers and is one of the best hiking trails right outside the city of Charlotte!
5) Reedy Creek Nature Preserve Trail | 3 miles
Reedy Creek Nature Preserve Trail is a 3.1-mile loop trail located east of Charlotte. This hiking trail features beautiful wildflowers and is a great hiking destination for all skill level hikers. No matter what skill level hiker you are, the Reedy Creek Nature Preserve Trail is a great option to go on an outdoor adventure by yourself, with your family or a group of friends! The trail offers a number of activity options and is accessible year-round. You can even bring your dog on this hiking adventure!
6) Little Sugar Creek Greenway | 5.6 miles
At the Little Sugar Creek Greenway, hikers and explorers can enjoy paved, flat trails that run through beautiful green spaces. This is a fantastic spot for hikers of all levels to take a nice, leisurely walk in the city of Charlotte. This multi-purpose trail caters to runners, bikers and hikers and is perfect for families and dog owners wanting an easy walking path of fresh air. This local favorite won’t make you feel like you’re in the wilderness, but visitors can enjoy nice views of the creek and the surrounding forest on this 5.6-mile paved path.
7) Latta Nature Preserve Trail
The Latta Nature Preserve Trail is located right next to the Historic Latta Plantation about 30 minutes north of Charlotte. This hiking trail offers hikers a more immersive nature option for adventure than a typical city trail and is a great hiking location near Charlotte. The Latta Nature Preserve Trail is easily accessible and is in close proximity to Mountain Island Lake that offers serene lake views from the gravel path.
8) U.S. National Whitewater Center
Although the U.S. National Whitewater Center is best known for organizing whitewater rafting lessons and excursions, they offer a few different hiking trails at this location as well. The hiking trails at U.S. National Whitewater Center all vary from powerful inclines and declines to leisurely paths with spectacular views of lakes and forests. No matter what skill level hiker you are, the variety of different hiking options gives visitors the best choices for individuals, families and friends.
9) Greenway Bridges and Lake Loop | 4.2 miles
This is one of the most spectacular and beginner friendly hikes near Charlotte. The Greenway Bridges and Lake Loop hike at Anne Springs Close Greenway blends together history and nature for all hikers to enjoy. The trail is mostly flat, and along the 4.2-mile trail you’ll pass under a large historic bridge, cross narrow suspension bridges and enjoy the think forests and nature areas located in the park. This is one of the easier hikes near the Charlotte area that offers a variety of picturesque views for hikers, their friends and families to explore.
10) Kings Pinnacle Trail | 3.7 miles
There’s no better way to round out our list of the 10 best hikes near Charlotte without including Kings Pinnacle Trail. This is one of the most popular and scenic trails in all of North Carolina, and one of the fan favorites for our team at Audi Charlotte. At Kings Pinnacle Trail, you will experience some of the best views of Crowder’s Mountain State Park. The hiking trail itself consists of a gradual incline to the top, so it’s great for hikers of all levels who are up for the challenge. Once you reach the top, you’ll see one of the most iconic hiking views in the Charlotte area. So, once you make it, be sure to snap a quick photo so everyone can be blown away with the views and your accomplishment!
Check out the 10 best hikes near Charlotte and let them know Audi Charlotte sent you!
Although there are a bunch of other hiking trails near the Charlotte area we left off, these are 10 of the best hiking trails that the team at Audi Charlotte wanted to share! These hikes are great for any level hikers, but definitely all simple enough that you don’t have to be an expert to get them done!
If you, your family or friends venture out to complete one of these hikes, be sure to share your experience on social media and tag Audi Charlotte! We’d love to see how our clients or other Charlotte residents are spending their time outdoors!
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