A visit to Crowders Mountain might include hiking more than 20 miles of hiking trails, rock climbing, backcountry camping, picnicking and fishing.

Gastonia is the largest town in Gaston County, North Carolina and can be found just south of I-85 off of exit 17 in the center of the county. Hwy 321 runs north and south straight through town giving even better access to this booming metropolis.

Paved

Easy

1.25 out and back

River Link Greenway is a relatively flat, asphalt greenway that will take you past streams with great blue herons, turtles and birds before guiding you through a more wooded area where deer are often spotted. Enjoy this .6 mile greenway (1.25 out and back round trip) which is wheelchair and stroller friendly.

Natural Surface

Easy

0.6 mile loop

A short walk around the back of Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden.

Natural Surface

Advanced

1.8 miles one way

Begins at the Linwood Access Area and ends at the radio towers on Crowders Mountain.

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.

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.

Natural Surface

Moderate

2.6 Miles One Way

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

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.

Sidewalk

Easy

1.3 Miles

Starts at Stowe Park in Belmont and connects almost to Cramerton.

Paved, Boardwalk, Natural Surface

Easy

1.3 Miles One Way

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

Walking

Easy

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

Natural Surface

Easy, Moderate

50 Miles

The Whitewater Center maintains over 50 miles of trails for mountain bikers, hikers and trail runners. Use of the trail system does not require an activity pass. Please check the current trail status (at the top of the website) prior to accessing the trail system. The Parkway Trail is currently available as an all-weather trail when the system is closed.

Natural Surface

Easy

3.2 miles

This short trail that connects with the Carolina Thread Trail and meanders along Lake Wylie connecting with Meadowood Walk.

Natural Surface

Advanced

1.4 miles one way

This trail crosses several rock ledges and requires good footwear and careful attention to staying on the trail.

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.

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.

Natural Surface, Gravel

Advanced

8 Miles One Way

Connects you to a 16-mile hiking trail loop at Kings Mountain State Park.

Paved

Easy

.3 Miles One Way

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

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.

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.

Paved

Easy

.5 Miles One Way

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

Natural Surface

Easy

0.7 mile loop

This nature trail is free for all visitors with access to the Play'Scape. Pets must be leashed.

Natural Surface

Easy

0.80 miles loop

This loop trail connects with a portion of the Turnback Trail and follows a creek for some portions of the trail.

Natural Surface

Advanced

2 miles one way

The Pinnacle is the highest point in Gaston County at 1,705 feet.

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.

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.

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.

Paved

Easy

1.5 Miles One Way

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

Paved

Easy

1.3 Miles One Way

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

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.

Walking, Jogging

Moderate

1.9 miles

This trail runs through Rankin Lake Park.