Ready To Go Hiking Near Charlotte

Charlotte is not known for its hiking. In 2014, Outside Magazine named Charlotte as one of America’s least outdoor cities, mainly due to the lack of green space in urban areas. The city might not have many parks but its residents can find plenty of green space if they are willing to travel a bit out of the city. The Appalachian Mountains, which are located less than two-hours away, offer a wide range of hiking options. The Appalachian Mountains are less than two hours away, offering a near infinite number of hiking opportunities.

You can find out where to go Hiking near Chicago, or Hiking near New York City.

Lake Shore Trail at Lake Norman State Park

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Let’s begin with something simple and easy. Lake Norman State Park is located only 45 minutes away from the city. The majority of the trails in the park are open to mountain bikers and horseback riders, but the Lake Shore Trail is only for hikers.

To access this hike, park your car at the Lake Shore Trailhead located on the north shore of the lake. You’ll then follow the white blazes in a counterclockwise circle around the peninsula for 3.5 mile. The trail offers a constant view of Lake Norman, even though roads run through the park. While the trail is undulating, you will still get a good workout. You can cut a mile from the loop if you don’t have the time or energy to finish it. The Short Turn Trail is marked with red blazes.

Kings Pinnacle In Crowders Mountain State Park

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Crowders Mountain State Park, located only 30 minutes from Charlotte is one of the best places to hike in North Carolina. The most popular hike in the park is Crowders Mount. This has earned the park the uncreative name “Crowded mountain.”

This hike begins by parking your car at the Sparrow Springs Visitors Center. From there, follow the trail until you reach a split. The right branch will lead you to Crowders Mountain while the left path takes you along the Pinnacle Trail. You’ll be pushing your way up a moderately steep terrain for the next two mile, while surrounded by magnificent hardwood trees. It’s a challenging hike, but it won’t be too difficult. The elevation gain is less than 1,000 feet, so you can expect a moderate challenge. On a sunny day, the top of the mountain will provide some spectacular views of the city. Returning to the trail is the same, but you should be careful when descending steeper sections – especially if the weather is wet. Over the last few years, crews have removed some of the steepest parts of the trail to make it more accessible. This helps reduce erosion, and makes the trail more suitable for all types of hikers.

Stone Mountain Loop

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This hike in Stone Mountain State Park takes you to three of the most beautiful sights in the area, including Stone Mountain Summit and the Hutchinson Homestead. It’s not an easy hike, with a 4.5 mile distance and 905 feet in elevation gain. The trail is not too steep at any point, but you will need to work a little bit.

The hike begins at the upper parking area across the road from a campsite, about two miles from the entrance to the park. At the old chimney, the trail forks and leads to the loop. Turn right to do an easier loop. Stone Mountain’s enormity is the first of three sights that you will see. It’s actually easier than it appears to be to reach the top of Stone Mountain using a series switchbacks. The trail descends the other side, using concrete steps to make sections less steep. You’ll arrive at the Hutchinson Homestead after a couple more miles. The park has placed educational signs that explain the purpose of each structure. The home, the outhouse and some storage buildings are all still standing. After another mile, the Stone Mountain Falls (90 feet tall) is the last point of interest. After a challenging hike, this is the perfect place to cool down, relax, and enjoy the view. Be extra careful in this area as the descent around these falls is steep. You can return to your car after a short walk.

The conclusion of the article is:

Charlotte might not have many parks where you can run, or play with your kids. But once you leave the city limits, there is no shortage of green space. Within a half-hour, you can be on some beautiful trails with great views and exercise space. You’ll find that the trails nearest to your city are crowded with hikers, so you may even make friends. If you’d rather be alone, you could drive an hour or two further to find a quieter environment.