Gaston County, NC
Seven Oaks Preserve 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.
2.6 Miles One Way
Moderate
Natural Surface
Seven Oaks Trail - New Hope Trailhead, 6900 S New Hope Rd, Belmont, NC 28012, USA
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.
Hike all the trails
In Gaston County
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.
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 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 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.
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.