Greenways

The Mecklenburg County Greenway System is quickly becoming one of the finest in the nation.  Greenways are linear parks that connect people and places.  Greenways are vegetated natural buffers that promote water quality, help reduce the impacts of flooding, and provide wildlife habitat.  Greenway trails provide recreation, transportation, fitness, and economic benefits for all to enjoy.  There are currently 62 miles of developed greenway trails in Mecklenburg County, with more being built every year. For a detailed map, please click here.

  • Briar Creek Greenway

    people walking and biking the greenway.

    There are two sections following Briar Creek: The Arnold Drive to Masonic Drive section (0.42 miles) and the 0.9-mile section behind Myers Park High School. The trail is a mix of paved and gravel surfaces.

    Briar Creek Greenway Masonic Dr to Arnold Dr.

    Briar Creek Greenway Colony Rd to Runnymede Ln.

     

  • Campbell Creek and Upper McAlpine Creek Greenways

    Campbell Creek Greenway, new section in 2017 (west of Harris Blvd). At left is the neighborhood entrance to Streamside Drive/Campbell Creek Lane.

    Campbell Creek Greenway runs along a headwater tributary to McAlpine Creek between Lockmont Drive and Margaret Wallace Road. Upper McAlpine Creek Greenway connects to Campbell Creek Greenway at Independence Boulevard and continues to Sardis Road. The paved greenway is 4.8 miles.

    Campbell and McAlpine Creek Greenways

  • Four Mile Creek Greenway

    Two people walking on a greenway.

    This greenway links downtown Matthews with Squirrel Lake Park and connect neighborhoods from E. John Street to S. Trade Street. This 2.3-mile greenway is paved after the boardwalk and runs through a mixed pine forest and wetlands.

    Four Mile Creek Greenway

  • Irwin Creek and Stewart Creek Greenways

    January 2017 snow. Stewart Creek Greenway.

    Irwin and Stewart Creek Greenways are joined by the Wesley Heights Connector. The urban part of the system connects Wesley Heights neighborhood and Third Ward. Nearby amenities include Frazier Park, Wallace Pruitt Recreation Center, and Uptown Charlotte. The paved greenway is 2.7 miles.

  • Little Sugar Greek Greenway

    Little Sugar Creek Greenway from Sharon Road West south to I-458. Photos taken March 21, 2020 as people were social distancing due to the COVID-19 virus. Bridge at I-485 across the creek to Carolina Pavilion shopping center.

    When complete, this greenway will feature over 19 miles of trails. Currently, the five sections are: Cordelia Park to 12th Street (0.9 miles paved), E 7th Street to Morehead Street (1.3 miles paved), Morehead Street to Brandywine Road (2.9 miles paved), Tyvola Road to Huntingtowne Farms Park (2.4 miles paved), and Huntingtowne Farms Park to I-485 (2.4 miles paved).

    Little Sugar Creek Greenway

  • Lower McAlpine, McMullen Creek and Four Mile Creek Greenways

    Two people walking on greenway.

    This horseshoe-shaped greenway runs 5.8 miles through south Charlotte and passes under Interstate 485. The trail is composed of a variety of surface types including asphalt, gravel, and boardwalk. There are multiple small parking lots available.

    Lower McAlpine, McMullen Creek and Four Mile Creek Greenways

  • McDowell Creek Greenway

    McDowell Creek Greenway

    This greenway connects Huntersville and Cornelius, linking several neighborhoods to Birkdale Village and park locations. The greenway has 1.5 miles of paved surface that is perfect for pedestrians, but also offers habitat for wildlife.

    McDowell Creek Greenway

  • Mallard Creek and Clarks Creek Greenways

    Two people walking dogs on greenway.

    This is our longest greenway, stretching more than 7.4 miles. Mallard Creek Greenway is part of the Cross-Charlotte Trail, a partnership between Mecklenburg County and the City of Charlotte that strives to develop a 26-mile contiguous trail. This greenway will connect the SC/NC state line to Cabarrus County. 

    Mallard and Clark's Creek Greenways

  • Six Mile Creek Greenway

    Family walking on the greenway.

    Six Mile Creek Greenway parallels Mecklenburg County’s southern border and will link to many neighborhoods within Mecklenburg and Union counties in the future. The trail was developed through a partnership with LUESA (Land Use and Environmental Services Agency). It is currently 0.9 miles with parking at 17820 Marvin Road.

    Six Mile Creek Greenway

  • South Prong Rocky River & West Branch Rocky River Greenways

    Entrance to the greenway.

    Operated by the Town of Davidson

    This network adds up to 4 miles of greenway trails and 5.2 miles of overland connectors.  The greenways connect downtown Davidson with nearby neighborhoods. West Branch Rocky River Greenway includes a site-fabricated wooden bridge and boardwalk through a fern covered hillside.

    South Prong Rocky River & West Branch Rocky River Greenways

  • Toby Creek Greenway

    Sign at the entrance of the greenway.

    This greenway extends from Mallard Creek Greenway to Rocky River Road, completing an important connection to and through the UNC Charlotte campus. Toby Creek Greenway is 2.7 miles with parking spaces at Kirk Farm Fields or Mallard Creek Elementary School.

    Toby Creek Greenway

  • Taggart Creek Greenway

    Butterfly on the Greenway.

    Located in the Renaissance West neighborhood, this paved greenway is 0.4 miles. Southview Recreation Center is within walking distance.

  • Torrence Creek Greenway

    Two people looking over a bridge on the greenway.

    Torrence Creek Greenway runs 2.4 miles through woods and behind neighborhoods off Gilead Road in Huntersville. The paved greenway connects Rosewood Lane to Summerfield Lane. Short sections of the greenway are boardwalks that meander through wetlands.

    Torrence Creek Greenway

  • Walker Branch & Hoover Creek Greenways

    Family walking dog on the greenway.

    Right beside dining and retail locations, Walker Branch Greenway is 0.6 miles with an additional 0.2 miles of dirtway. Nearby Hoover Creek Greenway is similarly tucked behind retail locations and is 0.2 miles in length.

    Walker Branch and Hoover Creek Greenways