Stowe Park

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Belmont

Visitors to Gaston County in North Carolina will find the town of Belmont located just south of I-85 at exit 27 . The downtown is located just off of the Catawba River and is the closest town in the county to Charlotte, NC.

River Loop at Warlick YMCA

Natural Surface

Easy

1 mile

River Loop is roughly a one-mile loop, marked in blue signage, and is considered the flattest, shortest, and easiest of the three loops. Highlights include Catawba Creek views and forest views.

Styz Trail System at Warlick YMCA

Natural Surface

Easy

About 4 miles

The trailhead for the system is located just off the northeast corner of the Y parking lot. You’ll spot a large kiosk there that will show you a map of the three connecting trail loops.

Seven Oaks Preserve Trail

Natural Surface

Moderate

2.6 Miles One Way

This trail meanders along the shoreline and connects to Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden.

Kings Mountain Gateway Trail

Gravel, Boardwalk, Sidewalk

Moderate

5 Miles One Way

8 miles of trail, 5 of which are designated Thread Trail, which is comprised of crushed stone, boardwalk, and sidewalk and is ADA compliant.

Goat Island Greenway

Paved

Easy

.7 Miles One Way

The Goat Island Greenway is a paved surface trail, including two pedestrian bridges that go over two sections of the South Fork Catawba River.

South Fork Trail

Natural Surface

Moderate

2 Miles One Way

Adjacent to the South Fork River. The trail goes under the I-85 bridge and through woods along the river.

Highland Rail Trail Downtown Sidewalk Connection

Paved

Easy

.5 Miles One Way

This 0.5-mile downtown sidewalk trail connects downtown Gastonia to the Highland Rail Trail.

Quarry Loop at Warlick YMCA

Natural Surface

Easy, Moderate

1.66-mile circuit

This 1.66 mile circuit is the longest and steepest loop. Marked with green signs you’ll follow along the Catawba Creek and passes by a rock quarry and certainly some wildlife along the way.

Kings Mountain State Park Trail

Natural Surface

Moderate

3.1 Miles One Way

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.

Ridgeline Trail

Natural Surface, Gravel

Advanced

8 Miles One Way

The Ridgeline Trail connects you to a 16-mile hiking trail loop at Kings Mountain State Park and Kings Mountain National Military Park called Kings Mountain National Recreation Trail.

Mount Holly Linear Park Trail

Paved

Easy

.3 Miles One Way

This concrete trail with runs along a railroad separated by a decorative fence.

Riverside Greenway

Paved

Easy

1.3 Miles One Way

This trail winds along the bank of the South Fork River.

Avon/Catawba Creeks Greenway

Paved, Sidewalk

Easy

2.4 Miles One Way

This greenway is paved for its entire length, and much of it is lined by mature trees on both sides of the trail.

Rankin Lake Park Trail

Walking, Jogging

Moderate

1.9 miles

This trail runs through Rankin Lake Park.

Power Loop at Warlick YMCA

Natural Surface

Easy

1.39-mile circuit

This 1.39-mile circuit is marked with yellow signs. The power loop both begins and ends with the Power Line marker.

Mountain Island Park Trail

Trail

Easy

1.6 Miles One Way

The trailhead, parking, playground and viewing area are next to Mountain Island Lake Dam, a hydroelectric dam owned by Duke Power.

Kings Mountain to Town via Sidewalk

Sidewalk, Paved

Easy

2.1 miles, One Way

The sidewalk connects the Kings Mountain Gateway Trail to downtown Kings Mountain. Patriot Park is at the corner of Battleground Ave. and Gold St.

Catawba Riverfront Greenway

Paved

Easy

1.5 Miles One Way

The greenway works its way along the picturesque Catawba River between the two trailheads.

Bessemer City Park Trail

Paved, Boardwalk, Natural Surface

Easy

1.3 Miles One Way

This looped trail offers rolling topography in a heavily wooded setting.

Robert H. Ballard Park

Walking

Easy

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Located in Cherryville this park offers a walking track and more.

Highland Rail Trail

Paved, Gravel

Easy

1.5 Miles One Way

A ten foot wide, paved surface trail constructed along the historic Carolina and Northwestern Railway.