Celebrate National Trails Day on the best trails and greenways in North and South Carolina

American Hiking Society’s National Trails Day is Saturday, June 3. In honor of that, CharlotteFive is featuring some of our favorite hiking stories.

National Trails Day is a day of service to give back to the trails that we all love so much. You can celebrate by joining an official event, doing a self-guided tour, or simply enjoying some time on Charlotte-area greenways. We’ll tell you how below:

Go for a hike

5 best underrated places to hike within 90 minutes of Charlotte.

One of the things Ebony loves most about living in Charlotte is that a scenic view is typically less than 90 minutes away. When she wants to decrease the possibility of bumping into half of Charlotte while on a trail at Crowders or King’s Mountain, she searches for something a little bit off the beaten path.

New to hiking? These 5+ easy Charlotte-area trails are a great fit for beginners.

Picking the right trail is a crucial part of putting together a hiking trip, especially when you don’t necessarily have the experience to navigate more difficult, strenuous terrain. Not to worry, Mary has a guide that will help.

Although Charlotte and the surrounding areas have plenty of trails that can provide thrills and tests of endurance, there are also a number of options that are easier to handle but still offer scenic views and good exercise. Choosing the right option not only will make your experience better but also help you avoid injury, or worse.

National Trails Day events and hikes

• McAdenville is hosting a Community Day event on Saturday, June 3, with live music, fireworks, food, kayaking on the South Fork River and more. The guided hike is now sold out, but there will be a ribbon cutting for the Pharr Yarns Family Trail. There are lots of other things to do in McAdenville while you’re there.

• Other guided hikes in the Carolinas by Carolina Thread Trail include:

  • 9 a.m. Saturday, June 3: Denver
    
    Guided Hike on Forney Creek Trail

  • 9 a.m. Saturday, June 3: Gaffney, SC
    
    Guided Mountain Bike Ride on Lake Whelchel TrailBring your own mountain bike and helmet

  • 10 a.m. Saturday, June 3: Great Falls, SC
    
    Guided Hike on Rocky Creek Trail

  • 10 a.m. Saturday, June 3: Mt. Pleasant
    
    Guided Hike on Buffalo Creek Preserve Trail

• Want to hike on your own? Thread Trail’s six self-guided trail itineraries is available online at www.carolinathreadtrail.org/ntd.

Stick to the greenways

• The new stretch of Little Sugar Creek Greenway is now open, Axios Charlotte reports. This is a great time to revisit Theoden’s attempt to run from one end of Charlotte using only greenways — anyone else thinking of doing this?

• Want some things to do on Charlotte-area greenways aside from exercise? Shannon has a list that includes shopping, restaurants, live music and more.

• The road less traveled? Check out my favorite secret or underrated greenways in the area.