New hiking trails coming to the Charlotte area this fall
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Photo: Courtesy of Catawba Lands Conservancy | Carolina Thread Trail
Carolina Thread Trails' work on new public trails at Spencer Mountain is underway.
Why it matters: Spencer Mountain in Gaston County will offer ample new hiking and outdoor recreation options about 21 miles northwest of Charlotte.
What to expect: The 1,250-foot summit will include a small park with an overlook deck with views of the Charlotte skyline. There will be three miles of trails:
- The mile-long Base Loop Trail will be open to cyclists and hikers.
- The 1-mile Summit Trail will lead hikers to the summit.
- The mile-long gravel road will lead cyclists to the summit and reconnect them to the Base Loop.
- The trail system has been designed to allow access for people with limited mobility.
Zoom in: George Poston Park will be the trailhead for Spencer Mountain. The trails from the park will connect to the Matthews-Belk South Fork River Corridor, extending 23 miles south to Daniel Stowe Conservancy.
- Twelve of the 23 miles of the Matthews-Belk South Fork River Corridor exist to date, Ashton Lamb, Catawba Lands Conservancy and Carolina Thread Trail trail development manager, tells Axios.
Between the lines: This project has been decades in the making. WBTV, Charlotte's CBS affiliate station and our news partner, owns Spencer Mountain.
- In 2024, a trail easement agreement between Catawba Lands Conservancy and WBTV allowed the Carolina Thread Trail to begin planning expansion to the top of Spencer Mountain.
By the numbers: The project is expected to cost $1.5 million. The state is contributing $600,000. Gastonia-based CaroMont Health is also helping fund the project, as are other individual private donors.
What's next: Trails are expected to open this fall.
Editor's note: This story has been updated to include state funding for the project.