Bike rides in North Carolina

Explore 6 rail-trail, greenway and park ride options in North Carolina, with route lengths, surfaces, access notes and starting locations. These are selected recreational outings, not an exhaustive trail inventory. Read each guide’s scope and access cautions before choosing a ride.

6 ride guides · alphabetical order

• American Tobacco Trail — Herndon Park north return

  Durham

  1.5 mi · Out-and-back

  Paved main trail with a walked concrete park connection.

  A short ride on Durham's paved rail trail, with a park stop at each end of the outing. Walk from C.M. Herndon Park to the main trail, ride north to the 9.5-mile marker, then retrace your route. The riding portion is approximately 1.5 miles round trip; add the walking connection from your parking space. The distance is a rounded map estimate, not a measured navigation track.

• Cedar Grove Park — short paved circuit

  Cedar Grove / Hillsborough area

  0.3 mi · Loop

  Paved park track; natural hiking paths excluded.

  A small park circuit for a relaxed pedal-bike outing or a little practice before a longer ride. Start at Cedar Grove Park, 5800 Highway 86 North, Hillsborough, NC 27278, walk from designated visitor parking to the lighted paved track, and ride one circuit around the main ballfield. Return to the same connection and walk back to your parking space.

• Dismal Swamp Canal Trail — Welcome Center: short bicycle return

  South Mills

  Up to 4 miles return · Out-and-back

  Paved county main path

  Follow the signed main path south along the county paved canal path. Turn after 2 outward miles or before the first public-road crossing, work barrier, uncertain continuation or uncomfortable transition, whichever comes first; retrace. Walk any initial lot or access-drive interface. Do not use a road or private-property detour.

• Fairview Park — short paved circuit

  Hillsborough

  0.3 mi · Loop

  Paved park track; natural hiking paths excluded.

  A brief outing on the paved park circuit, with an easy return to the same starting point. Start at Fairview Park, 195 Torain Street, Hillsborough, NC 27278. Use designated visitor parking, walk through the parking and shelter-area connections, ride the paved perimeter by the main ballfield, and walk back to your parking space.

• Kings Mountain Gateway — flat Rail Trail: short bicycle return

  Kings Mountain

  About 0.5 mile return · Out-and-back

  Improved gravel rail-bed main path

  Walk from the main lot to the signed straight-ahead Rail Trail. Follow that flat gravel rail bed for its approximately quarter-mile length, then retrace before the Plateau incline or any other branch. Stop earlier for barriers or uncomfortable tread.

• Neuse River Greenway: short return from Falls Dam

  Wake Forest

  Up to 2 miles return · Out and back

  Paved riverside greenway

  Use the signed Neuse River Trail parking entrance before the road bridge, then follow the paved trail downstream up to one mile and retrace. Use the greenway lot rather than the separate Army Corps tailrace fishing lot.