The complete guide to Charlotte’s greenways

Mecklenburg County’s greenway system is pretty impressive. Right now, there are 52 miles of developed greenway throughout the county.

From Huntersville to South Carolina, you’ll find beautiful paths to walk, bike and run on. And it’s not just great for people. It’s also a way for us to preserve local plants and wildlife.

But as great as the greenway system is, it’s also pretty extensive (and a tad confusing). This means you might not be taking full advantage of it. But fear not.

We teamed up with OrthoCarolina to create a complete guide to all the greenways in Charlotte.

First things first – to enjoy the greenways you’ve got to know where they are.

Here’s a map and a quick rundown of all the locations. You can find trails near you or explore trails outside your hood.

Briar Creek Greenway
Multiple locations listed below

• Arnold Drive to Masonic Drive
• Length: .42 miles
• Colony Road to Runneymede Lane
• Length: .91 miles

Campbell Creek Greenway and Upper McAlpine Creek Greenway
Where: Runs between Margaret Wallace Road and Lockmont Drive
Length: 4.76 miles

Four Mile Creek Greenway
Where: Connects E. John Street to S. Trade Street in Matthews
Length: 2.26 miles

Urban Irwin Creek, Wesley Heights Connector and Stewart Creek Greenways
Where: Wesley Heights neighborhood and Third Ward
Length: 2.7 miles

Little Sugar Creek Greenway
Multiple locations listed below

• Cordelia Park to 12th Street
• Length: .95 miles
• E 7th Street to Morehead Street
• Length: 1.29 miles
• Morehead Street to Brandywine Road
• Length: 2.88 miles
• Huntingtowne Farms Park
• Length: .79 miles

Lower McAlpine Creek, McMullen Creek and Four Mile Creek Greenways
Where: Located in South Charlotte and runs underneath Insterstate 485
Length: 5.8 miles

Mallard Creek and Clark’s Creek Greenways
Where: UNC Charlotte neighborhoods
Length: 7.4 miles

McDowell Creek Greenway
Where: Located between Westmoreland Road and Sam Furr Road
Length: 1.52 miles

Six Mile Creek Greenway
Where: Entrance located between Patterson Road and Firethorne Country Club
Length: 0.92 miles

South Prong Rocky  & West Branch Rocky River Greenways
Where: Entrance is located to the left of Davidson Elementary School
Length: 4 miles of paved greenway, 5.17 of overland connectors

The Ruth G. Shaw Trail on Toby Creek Greenway
Where: Extends from Mallard Creek Greenway to University City Boulevard
Length: 1.6 miles

Torrence Creek Greenway
Where: Located off Gilead Road in Huntersville
Length: 2.36 miles

Hoover Creek and Walker Branch Greenway
Where: This stretch of greenway is tucked behind RiverGate Shopping Center
Length: .48 miles

West Branch Rocky River Greenway
Where: Davidson, connecting Abersham Park to Fisher Farm Park
Length: .81 miles

Mecklenburg County continually expands the greenways system, with new trails getting added all the time.

Check out the current projects here and explore upcoming plans here.

Knowing where the greenways are is all well and good but you’ve got to know where to park.

Here are parking options for all of the locations listed above. In most cases, there are multiple spots to choose from.

Addresses for Parking:

Briar Creek Greenway
Multiple locations listed below

• Masonic Drive to Arnold Drive
• 1812 Masonic Dr, Charlotte, NC 28205
• Myers Park
• 1798 Runnymede Ln. Charlotte, NC 28211- Alexander Graham Middle School (after school hours and on weekends

Campbell Creek Greenway & Upper McAlpine Creek Greenway
2116 Margaret Wallace Rd, Matthews, NC 28105
300 Boyce Rd., Charlotte, NC 28211 (James Boyce Park)
8711 Monroe Rd., Charlotte, NC 28212 (McAlpine Creek Park)
110 Old Bell Rd., Charlotte, NC 28270

Four Mile Creek Greenway
1631 Pleasant Plains Rd, Matthews, NC 28105
On-street Public Parking along Council Pl.

Urban Irwin Creek, Wesley Heights Connector and Stewart Creek Greenways
540 S Bruns Ave. (Bruns Academy)
1123 Greenleaf Ave. (Frazier Park)
215 N. Sycamore St. (Ray’s Splash Planet)

Little Sugar Creek Greenway
Multiple locations listed below

• Cordelia Park to 12th Street
• 745 E 12th St, Charlotte, NC 28206
• 624 Parkwood Ave, Charlotte, NC 28205
• 2100 North Davidson Charlotte, NC 28205
• 625 Parkwood Avenue Charlotte, NC 28206
• E 7th Street to Morehead Street
• 1116 Metropolitan Ave, Charlotte, NC 28204

1421 E Morehead St, Charlotte, NC 28204

• Morehead Street to Brandywine Road

1910 Freedom Park Service Rd, Charlotte, NC 28203

1656 Sterling Rd, Charlotte, NC 28209

• North Side of Westfield Road between Tranquil Avenue and Brandywine Road (on-street parking)
• Huntingtowne Farms Park

2701 Burnt Mill Rd, Charlotte, NC 28210

2203 Huntingtowne Farms Ln, Charlotte, NC 28210

6901 Rockledge Dr, Charlotte, NC 28210

• 2203 Ramblewood Lane Charlotte, NC 28210

Lower McAlpine Creek, McMullen Creek and Four Mile Creek Greenways
11823 Johnston Road Charlotte, NC 28226
8135 Pineville-Matthews Road Charlotte, NC 28226
5803 Bevington Place Charlotte, NC 28277

Mallard Creek and Clark’s Creek Greenways
9801 Mallard Creek Road Charlotte, NC 28267 (Mallard Creek Elementary School)
201 East Mallard Creek Church Road Charlotte, NC 28262 (Kirk Farm Fields Park)

McDowell Creek Greenway
8925 Townley Road Charlotte, NC 28078
8430 Westmoreland Road Cornelius, NC 28031 (Westmoreland Regional Park)

Six Mile Creek Greenway
17820 Marvin Rd, Charlotte, NC 28277

South Prong Rocky  & West Branch Rocky River Greenways
859 South St, Davidson, NC 28036
13007 Robert Walker Drive Davidson, NC 28306

The Ruth G. Shaw Trail on Toby Creek Greenway
210 E Mallard Creek Church Rd, Charlotte, NC 28262

Torrence Creek Greenway
On-street parking along Bradford Hill Ln, Huntersville, NC 28078

Hoover Creek & Walker Branch Greenway
14501 Rivergate Pkwy, Charlotte, NC 28273

West Branch Rocky River Greenway
18621 Abersham Dr., Davidson, NC
21215 Shearer Rd., Davidson, NC (Fisher Farm Park)

Navigate the greenways like a pro and know the rules beforehand.

Hours of Operation

• The greenways are open 24/7

• The parking lots are open from dawn to dusk
• Do not park in non-designated areas

Safety

• Call 9-1-1 in the event of an emergency
• Bike lights and reflectors are required from dusk to dawn
• Children under the age of 16 must wear a helmet when riding a bike
• Travel on the right, pass on the left
• Pedestrians have the right of way
• Do not block greenways
• Walk with a friend (safety in numbers)

Pets

• Pets must be on a leash 6 ft. or shorter
• Pets are not allowed on playgrounds or athletic fields
• Pick up after your pets and dispose in a trash can

Prohibited Activities

• Littering
• Swimming
• Alcohol consumption
• Hunting
• Fishing allowed in accordance with NC rules and regulations
• Damaging or remove greenway property
• Collection, removal or disturbance of any natural or cultural object

And most of all, respect the greenways and the people and wildlife who enjoy them.

Little Sugar Creek Greenway

A lengthier walk. Perfect for people watching and flanked by two big shopping areas. 

Start at: Park Road Shopping Center
End at: The Metropolitan
Stops along the way:

• Hit up Juice Bar before you jump on the Greenway
• Stop and people watch in Freedom Park
• Grab a healthy lunch at Zöes Kitchen in the Metropolitan

Little Sugar Creek Greenway (with kids)

A shorter route with lots of family-friendly stops to tire out the kiddos.
Start at: The Metropolitan
End at: Freedom Park
Stops along the way:

• Kings Drive Farmers Market for some fresh fruit
• Freedom Park for some playground time
• Discovery Place Nature Museum to check out the Butterfly Pavilion

Four Mile Creek Greenway – Matthews

A great way to enjoy the quaint, little town of Matthews and take in some nature

Start at: Squirrel Lake Park
End at: Matthews Community Center
Stops along the way: 

• Spend a little time at Squirrel Lake Park before you jump on the greenway
• Pop over to Renfrows Hardware and grab a Coke (it’s been in Matthews since 1900)
• Walk over to Matthews Community Center and enjoy your cokes at the park in front of the library

McDowell Creek Greenway

Close to shopping/dining spots and close to the lake. Best of both worlds.

Start at: Birkdale Village
End at: Westmoreland Road
Stops along the way:

• Grab lunch in Birkdale Village
• Catch a local baseball game at Westmoreland Regional Park
• Stop by the lake and take in the some wildlife before you head home

Before you hit the greenways, make sure you check out OrthoCarolina’s blog for free workouts and training tips.

(This content was co-created with OrthoCarolina.)