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Trails

Get Out There With Us!

ROC is actively building, maintaining and promoting all types of trails in Rutherford County. Our area’s trails include the rail trail, hiking trails, multi-use greenways, and blueways (paddle trail). We are committed to working with multiple partners to put new trails on the ground every year for you!

Interactive Trail Maps (By Region)

EVERYTHING (at least within a hour or so of Rutherfordton)

HICKORY NUT GORGE

RUTHERFORD COUNTY

Alexanders Ford

Alexanders Ford

Difficulty

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Activities

Hiking

Walking/Running

Cycling

Equestrian

Disc Golf

Paddling

Length 2.5 mile loop

Elevation Gain 0-200 ft/s

Estimated Time 1.0-2.0 hr/s

Bearwallow Mountain Trail

Bearwallow Mountain Trail

Difficulty

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Activities

Hiking

Walking/Running

Cycling

Equestrian

Disc Golf

Paddling

Length 2 mile one-way

Elevation Gain 501-800 ft/s

Estimated Time 1.0-2.0 hr/s

Big Bradley Falls Trail

Big Bradley Falls Trail

Difficulty

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Activities

Hiking

Walking/Running

Cycling

Equestrian

Disc Golf

Paddling

Elevation Gain 201-500 ft/s

Estimated Time 1.0-2.0 hr/s

Broad River Greenway

Broad River Greenway

Difficulty

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Activities

Hiking

Walking/Running

Cycling

Equestrian

Disc Golf

Paddling

Length 12.9 miles - multiple trails

Elevation Gain 0-200 ft/s

Estimated Time 1.0-2.0 hr/s

Broad River Paddle Trail

Broad River Paddle Trail

Difficulty

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Activities

Hiking

Walking/Running

Cycling

Equestrian

Disc Golf

Paddling

Length 49 miles - multiple trails

Elevation Gain 0-200 ft/s

Estimated Time 1.0-2.0 hr/s

Buffalo Creek Park

Buffalo Creek Park

Difficulty

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Activities

Hiking

Walking/Running

Cycling

Equestrian

Disc Golf

Paddling

Length 3.5 mile loop (connects to Weed Patch Trail)

Elevation Gain 501-800 ft/s

Estimated Time 1.0-2.0 hr/s

Catawba Falls Trail

Catawba Falls Trail

Difficulty

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Activities

Hiking

Walking/Running

Cycling

Equestrian

Disc Golf

Paddling

Length 3.5 (Full Loop); 1.1 (to lower falls) miles

Elevation Gain 801-1000 ft/s

Estimated Time 2.25-3.0 hr/s

Chimney Rock Boulders Trail

Chimney Rock Boulders Trail

Difficulty

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Activities

Hiking

Walking/Running

Cycling

Equestrian

Disc Golf

Paddling

Elevation Gain 201-500 ft/s

Estimated Time 1.0-2.0 hr/s

Chimney Rock State Park

Chimney Rock State Park

Difficulty

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Activities

Hiking

Walking/Running

Cycling

Equestrian

Disc Golf

Paddling

Length 4 +miles - multiple trails

Elevation Gain 0-200 ft/s

Estimated Time 1.0-2.0 hr/s

Cowpens National Battlefield

Cowpens National Battlefield

Difficulty

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Activities

Hiking

Walking/Running

Cycling

Equestrian

Disc Golf

Paddling

Length 4.5 miles - multiple trails

Elevation Gain 0-200 ft/s

Estimated Time 1.0-2.0 hr/s

Crestview Park Walking Path

Crestview Park Walking Path

Difficulty

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Activities

Hiking

Walking/Running

Cycling

Equestrian

Disc Golf

Paddling

Elevation Gain 0-200 ft/s

Estimated Time 1.0-2.0 hr/s

Dittmer-Watts Nature Trail Park

Dittmer-Watts Nature Trail Park

Difficulty

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Activities

Hiking

Walking/Running

Cycling

Equestrian

Disc Golf

Paddling

Length 3.5 miles - multiple trails

Elevation Gain 201-500 ft/s

Estimated Time 1.0-2.0 hr/s

FENCE Trails

FENCE Trails

Difficulty

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Activities

Hiking

Walking/Running

Cycling

Equestrian

Disc Golf

Paddling

Length 6 miles - multiple trails

Elevation Gain 0-200 ft/s

Estimated Time 1.0-2.0 hr/s

Florence Nature Preserve

Florence Nature Preserve

Difficulty

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Activities

Hiking

Walking/Running

Cycling

Equestrian

Disc Golf

Paddling

Length 5 miles ( Multiple Trails)

Elevation Gain 1001-1200 ft/s

Estimated Time 2.25-3.0 hr/s

Green River Game Lands

Green River Game Lands

Difficulty

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Activities

Hiking

Walking/Running

Cycling

Equestrian

Disc Golf

Paddling

Length 16 miles - multiple trails

Elevation Gain 0-200 ft/s

Estimated Time 1.0-2.0 hr/s

ICC Trails

ICC Trails

Difficulty

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Activities

Hiking

Walking/Running

Cycling

Equestrian

Disc Golf

Paddling

Length 3.5 miles - multiple trails

Elevation Gain 0-200 ft/s

Estimated Time 1.0-2.0 hr/s

Joseph McDowell Historical Catawba Greenway

Joseph McDowell Historical Catawba Greenway

Difficulty

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Activities

Hiking

Walking/Running

Cycling

Equestrian

Disc Golf

Paddling

Length 3.1 miles one-way

Elevation Gain 0-200 ft/s

Estimated Time 1.0-2.0 hr/s

Lake James State Park

Lake James State Park

Difficulty

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Activities

Hiking

Walking/Running

Cycling

Equestrian

Disc Golf

Paddling

Length 25 +miles - multiple trails

Elevation Gain 0-200 ft/s

Estimated Time 1.0-2.0 hr/s

Lake Lure Town Center Walkway

Lake Lure Town Center Walkway

Difficulty

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Activities

Hiking

Walking/Running

Cycling

Equestrian

Disc Golf

Paddling

Length 0.5 miles

Elevation Gain 0-200 ft/s

Estimated Time 1.0-2.0 hr/s

Little Bradley Falls Trail

Little Bradley Falls Trail

Difficulty

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Activities

Hiking

Walking/Running

Cycling

Equestrian

Disc Golf

Paddling

Length 1.9 mile (one-way)

Elevation Gain 0-200 ft/s

Estimated Time 1.0-2.0 hr/s

Little White Oak Mountain

Little White Oak Mountain

Difficulty

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Activities

Hiking

Walking/Running

Cycling

Equestrian

Disc Golf

Paddling

Length 3.5 miles

Elevation Gain 201-500 ft/s

Estimated Time 1.0-2.0 hr/s

Missing 40 Trail

Missing 40 Trail

Difficulty

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Activities

Hiking

Walking/Running

Cycling

Equestrian

Disc Golf

Paddling

Length 1 mile loop

Elevation Gain 0-200 ft/s

Estimated Time 1.0-2.0 hr/s

Morse Park Trails

Morse Park Trails

Difficulty

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Activities

Hiking

Walking/Running

Cycling

Equestrian

Disc Golf

Paddling

Length 1 mile

Elevation Gain 0-200 ft/s

Estimated Time 1.0-2.0 hr/s

Norman Wilder Forest

Norman Wilder Forest

Difficulty

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Activities

Hiking

Walking/Running

Cycling

Equestrian

Disc Golf

Paddling

Elevation Gain 501-800 ft/s

Estimated Time 1.0-2.0 hr/s

Old Fort Gateway Trails

Old Fort Gateway Trails

Difficulty

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Activities

Hiking

Walking/Running

Cycling

Equestrian

Disc Golf

Paddling

Length 6 miles

Elevation Gain 0-200 ft/s

Estimated Time 1.0-2.0 hr/s

Pearson’s Falls

Pearson’s Falls

Difficulty

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Activities

Hiking

Walking/Running

Cycling

Equestrian

Disc Golf

Paddling

Elevation Gain 0-200 ft/s

Estimated Time 1.0-2.0 hr/s

Purple Martin Greenway

Purple Martin Greenway

Difficulty

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Activities

Hiking

Walking/Running

Cycling

Equestrian

Disc Golf

Paddling

Elevation Gain 0-200 ft/s

Estimated Time 1.0-2.0 hr/s

Rocky Broad Riverwalk

Rocky Broad Riverwalk

Difficulty

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Activities

Hiking

Walking/Running

Cycling

Equestrian

Disc Golf

Paddling

Length 0.13 miles

Elevation Gain 0-200 ft/s

Estimated Time 1.0-2.0 hr/s

Rumbling Bald at Chimney Rock State Park Trail

Rumbling Bald at Chimney Rock State Park Trail

Difficulty

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Activities

Hiking

Walking/Running

Cycling

Equestrian

Disc Golf

Paddling

Length 1.5 miles

Elevation Gain 201-500 ft/s

Estimated Time 1.0-2.0 hr/s

Rutherford County Walking Path

Rutherford County Walking Path

Difficulty

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Activities

Hiking

Walking/Running

Cycling

Equestrian

Disc Golf

Paddling

Length 0.5 miles

Elevation Gain 0-200 ft/s

Estimated Time 1.0-2.0 hr/s

South Mountains Christian Camp

South Mountains Christian Camp

Difficulty

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Activities

Hiking

Walking/Running

Cycling

Equestrian

Disc Golf

Paddling

Length 3 + Miles

Elevation Gain 0-200 ft/s

Estimated Time 1.0-2.0 hr/s

South Mountains Game Lands

South Mountains Game Lands

Difficulty

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Activities

Hiking

Walking/Running

Cycling

Equestrian

Disc Golf

Paddling

Length 20 miles - multiple trails

Elevation Gain 0-200 ft/s

Estimated Time 1.0-2.0 hr/s

South Mountains State Park

South Mountains State Park

Difficulty

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Activities

Hiking

Walking/Running

Cycling

Equestrian

Disc Golf

Paddling

Length 40 miles - multiple trails

Elevation Gain 0-200 ft/s

Estimated Time 1.0-2.0 hr/s

Strawberry Gap

Strawberry Gap

Difficulty

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Activities

Hiking

Walking/Running

Cycling

Equestrian

Disc Golf

Paddling

Length 5.1 miles

Elevation Gain 1001-1200 ft/s

Estimated Time 2.25-3.0 hr/s

Summey Park Walking Trails

Summey Park Walking Trails

Difficulty

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Activities

Hiking

Walking/Running

Cycling

Equestrian

Disc Golf

Paddling

Length 0.25 miles

Elevation Gain 0-200 ft/s

Estimated Time 1.0-2.0 hr/s

Thermal Belt Rail Trail

Thermal Belt Rail Trail

Difficulty

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Activities

Hiking

Walking/Running

Cycling

Equestrian

Disc Golf

Paddling

Length 13.5 miles

Elevation Gain 201-500 ft/s

Estimated Time 4.25-5.0 hr/s

Trombatore Trail

Trombatore Trail

Difficulty

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Activities

Hiking

Walking/Running

Cycling

Equestrian

Disc Golf

Paddling

Length 5 miles (one way)

Elevation Gain 1200+ ft/s

Estimated Time 2.25-3.0 hr/s

Vaughn Creek Greenway

Vaughn Creek Greenway

Difficulty

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Activities

Hiking

Walking/Running

Cycling

Equestrian

Disc Golf

Paddling

Length 1.6 miles

Elevation Gain 0-200 ft/s

Estimated Time 1.0-2.0 hr/s

Weed Patch Mountain Trail

Weed Patch Mountain Trail

Difficulty

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Activities

Hiking

Walking/Running

Cycling

Equestrian

Disc Golf

Paddling

Length 18.5 miles

Elevation Gain 1200+ ft/s

Estimated Time 6.25+ hr/s

Wildcat Rock/Little Bearwallow

Wildcat Rock/Little Bearwallow

Difficulty

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Activities

Hiking

Walking/Running

Cycling

Equestrian

Disc Golf

Paddling

Length 4.8 miles (one-way)

Elevation Gain 1200+ ft/s

Estimated Time 3.25-4.0 hr/s

Young’s Mountain Trail

Young’s Mountain Trail

Difficulty

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Activities

Hiking

Walking/Running

Cycling

Equestrian

Disc Golf

Paddling

Length 4.3 miles one-way

Elevation Gain 1001-1200 ft/s

Estimated Time 2.25-3.0 hr/s

TIPS & TRICKS

Appropriate Clothing

Weather can change quickly in the mountains. Always tuck rain gear into your backpack and bring along layers of clothes.

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