Charlotte, North Carolina, is just a few hours’ drive from the Tennessee River Valley and offers an incredible amount of running and biking opportunities. From park path to technical trails for travelling runners and cyclists, Charlotte is an Outsider’s dream.
While Charlotte may be nicknamed the Queen City, it just may be in the running (pun intended) for the title “King of Trail Opportunities.”
Charlotte is nicknamed the “Queen City” in honor of Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, the queen consort of British King George III during the time of the city’s founding.
City of Charlotte
Trailrunnermag.com named the largest city in North Carolina a Top Trail Town, and for good reason . Charlotte boasts almost 40 greenways plus many other opportunities to get some miles in no matter your skill level. And be sure to read to the bottom of this piece for information about the upcoming Tuck Fest – Charlotte’s annual outdoor festival in April that includes a number of activities and competitions sure to get your heart racing. Here’s a sampling of what to expect when traveling to the Queen City:
The Colonel Francis Beatty Park Loop
According to AllTrails.com, the Colonel Francis Beatty Park Loop is a 4.3-mile loop trail and is considered a moderately challenging route and takes an average of 1 hour, 27 minutes to complete. It’s a popular area for birding, fishing and hiking, and is open year round.
Roller Coaster to Main Loop to Big Lake Loop
Another popular destination for Outsiders according to AllTrails.com is the Roller Coaster to Main Loop to Big Lake Loop. This is an 8.8-mile loop and is considered a moderately challenging route. While it’s also popular for birding and hiking, mountain bikers often take advantage of this loop. The singletrack trails lend themselves to some good riding for geared XC bikes as well as single-speed rides. Locals claim the best times to visit this trail is March through November.
U.S. National Whitewater Center
While not a trail per se, RunCharlotte.com lists the U.S. National Whitewater Center as a must-visit for traveling Outsiders. The Whitewater Center is comprised of more than 1,300 acres and 50 miles of trail along the banks of the Catawba River. Enthusiasts can also enjoy a river for kayaking, and other activities. What other activities? Try whitewater rafting, ziplining, rock climbing, and relaxing with food and a beverage after a run or ride.
Charlotte Lake Norman State Park
Another recommendation from RunCharlotte.com is Lake Norman State Park, which offers six easy-to-moderate level trails around beautiful Lake Norman. They vary in length from 3.1 miles to nearly 20 miles. There are three additional trails that are great for hiking and biking to offer something for everyone.
Ann Springs Close Greenway
The Ann Springs Close Greenway consists of 2,100 acres and with 40 total miles of trails. It contains a combination of horse, mountain biking and hiking trails. All of the trails are open to trail running, but make sure you respect right-of-way changes on the different trail types. This greenway is located 18 miles southwest of Charlotte.
The Charlotte Annual Must-Attend: Tuck Fest
Tuck Fest is a multi-day festival that celebrates the outdoor lifestyle. And celebrate it does. The website lists 43 competitions, exhibitions, demos, and live music at the U.S. National Whitewater Center every April. This year, the three-day event will be April 21-23 and will feature a variety of programming to engage the public through outdoor activity. Competitions are available through a variety of activities and sports including trail running, kayaking, biking, climbing, stand-up paddleboarding, obstacle and adventure racing, Deep Water Solo, and more.
The name “Tuck Fest” comes from the Tuckaseegee Ford and Trail, a historical trading route that passes through the current Whitewater Center property.
Tuckfest.Whitewater.org
Multiple days and multiple races mean multiple opportunities to collectively cover 26.2 miles (or more) during Tuck Fest. Any and all chip-timed Trail Run events can be combined in any order to achieve the marathon distance and the Tuck Fest Marathon Challenge Award.
The public is welcome to enjoy the live music, experience demos, check out the festival vendors, and spectate all the competitions free of charge. If you would like to participate in competitions, Tuck Fest race registration consists of a one-time flat fee that grants access to all races and competitions throughout the three-day festival.
Charlotte Running Club
Be sure to check out the Charlotte Running Club for events while you’re in town, as they hosts a number of events for members and non-members alike.
Their website says the “Charlotte Running Club consists of passionate runners that strive to spread the love of running and to help each other grow. The Club’s goal is to bring the expansive, diverse, and exciting Charlotte running community together under one umbrella through motivation, group runs, and social events.”
