8 hills (plus routes) you should run in Charlotte

Finding a flat stretch in Charlotte isn’t always that easy, but some hills are set apart from others. If you’re looking for a run with a good hill — or are just a glutton for punishment — here are the routes you’ve been looking for (in no particular order). Click the link for the routes on MapMyRun.

(1) Quail Hollow

The Hill: Quail Hollow Road about a quarter of a mile after its intersection with Carmel Road up to around where Quail Hollow becomes Sharon Road near the Harris YMCA.

The Route: 6.2 miles — a good 10K distance — that gets your toughest hill over at the beginning. Start at the corner of Carmel/Quail Hollow and go up the hill, then take mostly flat Sharon Road to Sharonview, where you’ll get some ups and downs. Cruise home on Carmel, another mostly flat stretch. If you’re really looking for a challenge, you also could take Glen Eagles instead and loop around Park Road back to Sharon Road.

(2) Sharonview/Olde Providence

The Hill: If you’ve ever done Racefest in April, you know this hill. It’s a steep ascent but even after you’ve finished the climb, it’s a slight uphill all the way to Carmel Road.

The Route: 3.4 miles that starts near an entrance of the Olde Providence community. The good part is this route will take you back down the Sharonview hill, so you’ll feel like you’re cruising by the time you finish.

(3) Archdale

The Hill: If you live near Park Road Park, you’re probably used to people zooming up and down this thing near Park South Station. 

The Route: Four miles that starts at Park Road Park. Head down Archdale for a nice downhill followed by your climb. You’ll get a good view of the up-and-coming neighborhoods by detouring down Emerywood Drive and Londonberry Road. Take that back to Tyvola Road to Park.  

(4) Morehead Street

The Hill: I’ll probably never like this hill — but it’s good for me. It’s called Uptown for a reason, folks, and this one will take you straight to the heart of it. Start near the intersection with Kings Drive (by the greenway/clock tower) and head all the way up until you hit Tryon Street. (About 1.4 miles.)

The Route: After you’ve finished your hill, running the flat on Tryon Street will feel amazing. Take that to Third Street and follow that all the way down to Kings Drive, where you’ll meet back up with the greenway. The downhill at the end will feel awesome. About 3.6 miles.

(5) Sardis Road

The Hill: You’ll start near Sardis View Lane and soon start your steady uphill climb. I call this the private school hill run since you’ll pass Charlotte Christian School and Providence Day School.

The Route: I normally don’t like out and backs, but at least this one will give you a nice downhill on the way back. At 5.3 miles, it’s a good middle distance.

(6) Providence Road – Wendover

The Hill: This might be my favorite hill in Charlotte, but maybe I’ve just run it too many times. The hill starts on Providence Road at the base of the Kindercare and ends at Wendover Road. This is part of the Charlotte Marathon course (previously Thunder Road Marathon).

The Route: Coming in at just under 4 miles, this course only gives you one flat stretch. Start at the Gold Man statue (near intersection of Providence-Providence and Queens-Queens) and head south up the hill to Wendover. Circle Wendover to Sharon Road (nice downhill) to Chilton Place and Queens Road East. 

(7) Providence Road – Rea

The Hill: An overall hilly route, but the big kahuna here is on Colony Road after you cross over Summerlin Place, leading up to Carmel Road. Ouch.

The Route: Want to ace your half marathon? Try this 11.2-mile route. Starting at the intersection of Providence-Fairview roads, it’s a big loop that leads you down to Pineville-Matthew Road to Rea Road/Colony. Those last two (flat) miles on Carmel Road will be heaven. 

(8) UNC Charlotte

The Hill: Queens University of Charlotte isn’t the only college that’s fun to run around. Try this hill on Craver Road leading up to UNC Charlotte Botanical Gardens as you run through campus.

The Route: This 4.2-mile route through UNCC won’t give you any real flats, but who doesn’t want to run around university grounds on a beautiful morning or evening? 

Lace up your running shoes and get going. And remember this quote from the writer Henry Ward Beecher: “It’s easier to go down a hill than up it but the view is much better at the top.”