Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden

Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden is the Carolinas’ Garden for all seasons, providing guests a chance to reconnect with nature and to create lifelong memories with friends and family. Located on 380 acres along the banks of Lake Wylie, spectacular gardens, sparkling fountains, a conservatory dedicated to the display of tropical plants and orchids, a visitor pavilion, a garden store and nature trails await the visitor. Visitors enter Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden through the Visitor Pavilion featuring a breathtaking stained-glass dome, as well as perennial and annual gardens. Your visit will include a walk through nine theme gardens: Four Seasons Garden, a tropically-themed Canal Garden, four perennial gardens, the charming Cottage Garden, fragrant Conifer Garden and the stately West Garden. Don’t miss the Orchid Conservatory, Lost Hollow, The Kimbrell Children’s Garden, striking water fountains and canals with a collection of plants from around the globe. Hike Meadowood Walk a 1-mile nature trail that continues through field and forest. Before you leave check out the gift shop.

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.

Mountain Island Tailrace 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 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.

Belmont to Cramerton Sidewalk Connector

Sidewalk

Easy

1.3 Miles

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

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

​

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.