TRAILS
Gaston County provides outdoor explorers with natural spaces found in our state parks, county parks and city parks. Use these trails for an easy stroll or a strenuous hike. Some are great for jogging and biking as well.




The Carolina Thread Trail is a network of trails and blueways across 15 counties in North and South Carolina offering people a place to hike bike and paddle. Currently it has more than 300 miles of trails and 170 miles of blueways. Once complete, the system will total 1,600 miles. Gaston County’s distinct towns and its proximity to the Catawba and South Fork Rivers make it a great place to explore via their trails and blueways.
Carolina Thread Trail Interactive Trail Map
Natural Surface
Duke Kimbrell Trail

This trail meanders along the shoreline. The trail connects to Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden. Visitors can continue along the back side of the parking lot along the Boulevard Trail and can then pick up on the Worrell Trail. The Worrell Trail connects back to the Seven Oaks Preserve Trail and finishes the loop. Visitors do not have to pay the garden to walk on their trails. Bicycles are allowed on the Seven Oaks Preserve Trail BUT NOT ALLOWED on the garden's trails. Please do not ride in wet conditions.
6500 S. New Hope Rd.
Moderate
2.6 Miles One Way
Walking, Hiking, Mountain Biking
Location
Difficulty
Distance
Best Use
Belmont NC
Surface
Natural Surface
Paved
A & E Riverfront Trail

This 1.2-mile paved greenway connects to 0.7-mile paved loop in Tuckaseege Park and 0.3-mile paved segment at the Municipal Complex. The greenway works its way along the picturesque Catawba River between the two trailheads. From the Municipal Complex trailhead, you can easily walk along Catawba Avenue sidewalks for 0.3-miles to downtown Mount Holly where there are shopping and dining options.
165 Broome St.
Easy
1.5 Miles One Way
Walking, Running, Wheelchair Accessible, Biking
Location
Difficulty
Distance
Best Use
Mount Holly NC
Surface
Paved
Paved
Avon-Catawba Creeks Greenway

This greenway is paved for its entire length, and much of it is lined by mature trees on both sides of the trail. The trail winds alongside Catawba Creek and Avon Creek with a few small bridges crossings along the way. Small benches are spaced throughout the greenway and usually come with good views of the creek as well. There are also numerous informational plaques placed along the trail regarding common bird species that can be found in the area.
You can easily walk to the Schiele Museum of Natural History from this greenway along sidewalk for .25 miles
109 West Second Ave.
Easy
2.4 Miles One Way
Walking, Running, Biking, Wheelchair Accessible
Location
Difficulty
Distance
Best Use
Gastonia NC
Surface
Paved
Gravel
Backside Trail

The Backside Trail can be found at Crowders Mountain State Park at the Linwood Road Access. This trail is a strenuous hike including 336 wooden steps to reach a breathtaking summit and connects to the Crowders Trail also in the park.
522 Park Office Ln.
Advanced
.08 mi. one way
Hiking
Location
Difficulty
Distance
Best Use
Kings Mountain NC
Surface
Gravel
Sidewalk
Belmont to Cramerton Sidewalk Connector

Starts at Stowe Park in Belmont and connects almost to Cramerton. Users take Eagle Road and follow the sidewalk until it stops in front of Pinebrook Swim Club.
24 South Main St.
Easy
1.3 Miles
Walking
Location
Difficulty
Distance
Best Use
Belmont NC
Surface
Sidewalk
Paved, Boardwalk, Natural Surface
Bessemer City Park Trail

This looped trail offers rolling topography in a heavily wooded setting. Not only does the trail provide an opportunity for leisure but three access points provide transportation connections for surrounding neighborhoods to access the city park, pool. See historic remains of the city lake style community pool and bath house built in 1923. Wild muscadine grapes grow along the trail.
The trail leads you out of the park across the street onto W Alabama Avenue where there is a gas station and into downtown Bessemer City. Turn left onto N 12th Street. You'll pass historic brick buildings and cross the train tacks as you enter the main part of town. Take a left onto W Virginia Avenue and continue down N 14th Street until the sidewalk ends. This is where the trail ends.
220 South 14th St.
Easy
1.3 Miles One Way
Walking, Running, Hiking, Mountain Biking
Location
Difficulty
Distance
Best Use
Bessemer City NC
Surface
Paved, Boardwalk, Natural Surface
Natural Surface, Boardwalk, Gravel
Crowders Trail

The Crowders Trail is part of the trail system at Crowders Mountain State Park and runs 2.5 miles through this popular park.
522 Park Office Ln.
Moderate
2.5 miles, One Way
Hiking
Location
Difficulty
Distance
Best Use
Kings Mountain NC
Surface
Natural Surface, Boardwalk, Gravel
Paved, Gravel
Dutchmans Creek Greenway

The Dutchman's Creek Greenway is a paved and gravel connector trail that connects Hwy 27 (E Charlotte Ave) at the CaroMont Regional Medical Center to River Street Park in Mt. Holly.
330 North River St.
Easy
0.6 miles, One Way
Walking, Wheelchair Accessible, Mountain Biking, Biking
Location
Difficulty
Distance
Best Use
Mount Holly NC
Surface
Paved, Gravel
Natural Surface
Fern Trail at Crowders Mountain

This loop trail connects with a portion of the Turnback Trail and follows a creek for some portions of the trail.
522 Park Office Ln.
Easy
0.80 miles loop
Walking, Hiking
Location
Difficulty
Distance
Best Use
Kings Mountain NC
Surface
Natural Surface
Paved
Goat Island Greenway

The Goat Island Greenway is .7 miles of paved surface trail, including two pedestrian bridges that go over two sections of the South Fork Catawba River onto Goat Island Park.
141 8th Ave.
Easy
.7 Miles One Way
Walking, Biking, Running, Wheelchair Accessible
Location
Difficulty
Distance
Best Use
Cramerton NC
Surface
Paved
Paved, Gravel
Highland Rail Trail

The Highland Rail Trail is a ten foot wide, paved surface trail constructed along the historic Carolina and Northwestern Railway. This urban trail meanders through residential neighborhoods and industrial areas, linking downtown Gastonia with Sims Legion Park and beyond. The Carolina Thread Trail sign marks one entrance to the trail at the intersection of Broad Street and Long Avenue. From this point, the trail continues northwest past Sims Legion Park toward I-85. The paved trail ends just short of Rankin Lake Road. There is a gravel path which connects Rankin Lake Road to the paved surface of the Highland Rail Trail.
1001 North Marietta St.
Easy
1.5 Miles One Way
Walking, Biking, Running
Location
Difficulty
Distance
Best Use
Gastonia NC
Surface
Paved, Gravel
Paved
Highland Rail Trail Downtown Sidewalk Connection

This 0.5-mile downtown sidewalk trail connects downtown Gastonia to the Highland Rail Trail. Walkers and runners can follow this trail from the intersection of Marietta Street and Franklin Boulevard, along Long Avenue until they reach the trailhead for the Highland Rail Trail, which is located at the intersection of Broad Street and Long Avenue. The rail trail is clearly marked by a Carolina Thread Trail marker and is visible from the road.
1001 North Marietta St.
Easy
.5 Miles One Way
Walking, Biking, Wheelchair Accessible
Location
Difficulty
Distance
Best Use
Gastonia NC
Surface
Paved
Gravel, Boardwalk, Sidewalk
Kings Mountain Gateway Trail

This trail is planned to connect the City of Kings Mountain to Crowders Mountain State Park, Kings Mountain State Park and Kings Mountain National Military Park. Hikers and bikers can enjoy the 8 miles of trail, 5 of which are designated Thread Trail, which is comprised of crushed stone, boardwalk, and sidewalk. The trail is ADA compliant. The Kings Mountain Gateway Trail parking lot and trailhead features a restroom/office facility, a bike rack and kiosk, and a picnic shelter that includes nine picnic tables and two large grills. There is also an interpretive nature trail for children to explore.
Kings Mountain Gateway Trail's trailhead is located on a one acre site about ½ of a mile south of Downtown Kings Mountain and is connected to downtown via sidewalks. The Carolina Thread Trail starts in the downtown of Kings Mountain, runs through the Kings Mountain Gateway Trail parking lot, on to the entrance of the Rail Trail at the Gateway and then turns right onto the loop trail then right again onto the Foote Trail that heads south to I-85 and on past to Galilee Church Road. The new section of trail on the south side of I-85 is great for flat surface walking and biking. You can park at the trail entrance at the end of Industrial Drive just off of hwy. 161. Go south over I-85 and Industrial Drive is to the right.
The trail will preserve the natural beauty of Kings Mountain and provide a place for nature exploration, education in science and history, and a venue for community events and family celebrations.
4611 Linwood Rd.
Moderate
5 Miles One Way
Walking, Hiking, Mountain Biking, Running, Wheelchair Accessible
Location
Difficulty
Distance
Best Use
Kings Mountain NC
Surface
Gravel, Boardwalk, Sidewalk
Natural Surface
Kings Mountain State Park Trail

The National Recreation Trail in Kings Mountain State Park is marked by a blue blaze throughout the 16-mile loop trail. Carolina Thread Trail segment is 1.6-mile that connects to the red blaze of the Ridgeline Trail that will take you north to Crowders Mountain or continue on west to the visitor's center at the Kings Mountain Military Park to learn the history of the Revolutionary War Battle site. There is a beautiful dam created by the Lake Crawford near the parking.
4611 Linwood Rd.
Moderate
3.1 Miles One Way
Walking, Hiking, Running
Location
Difficulty
Distance
Best Use
Kings Mountain NC
Surface
Natural Surface
Sidewalk, Paved
Kings Mountain to Town via Sidewalk

The sidewalk connects the Kings Mountain Gateway Trail to downtown Kings Mountain. Patriot Park is at the corner of Battleground Avenue and Gold Street. The newly upgraded park has an amphitheater with hillside and swing seating. There is a splash area, water fall and stream through the middle of the park. The trail continues past the historic theater, the Joy Performance Center also known as the Kings Mountain Little Theater to Beason Creek.
109 Country Club Rd.
Easy
2.1 miles, One Way
Walking, Biking, Running
Location
Difficulty
Distance
Best Use
Kings Mountain NC
Surface
Sidewalk, Paved
Natural Surface
Lake Trail at Crowders Mountain

The trail circles the park lake.
Crowders Mountain State Park’s TRACK Trail adventures were designed for use on the Turnback Trail, Fern Trail, and Lake Trail. These three trail combined make a 2.1 mile round-trip hike.
522 Park Office Ln.
Easy
0.8 miles loop
Walking, Hiking
Location
Difficulty
Distance
Best Use
Kings Mountain NC
Surface
Natural Surface
Natural Surface
Meadowwood Walk at DSBG

A short walk around the back of Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden.
6500 S. New Hope Rd.
Easy
0.6 mile loop
Hiking, Walking
Location
Difficulty
Distance
Best Use
Belmont NC
Surface
Natural Surface
Paved
Mount Holly Linear Park Trail

This concrete trail with decorative brick accents.runs along a CSX active railroad ROW, separated by a decorative fence. A small segment of the trail runs south along S. Alexander Street and will eventually connect to the southern leg of the Catawba River Greenway. Strolling along the Linear Park Trail, the trail features direct connections to destination points such as the Grand Hall and Municipal Complex, the CaroMont Healthy Living Cent