One question I often get from friends, visiting family, and new people I meet is “Where is your favorite place to hike?” or “What is the best trail?” Of course, its never a simple answers because there are so many different types of trails and hiking experiences. So I usually follow this question up with another question, “What type of hike are you looking for?”
See I have different “favorite” trails depending on whether I’m looking for something close to home, a day hike, a family friendly trail, a paddling trip, etc. Is it a cope-out to avoid picking ‘one trail that rules them all’? Probably, but deciding what type of hike you want (and are prepared for) is a question that should be taken seriously.
I have a couple friends who go hiking once or twice a week, they have probably hiking every trail in North and South Carolina! If I asked them for their best trail recommendation and they responded with…. Grandfather Mountain Trail; that would not be very useful recommendation if I had a day hike with my toddler in mind. She’s a great hiker, but that trail is outside of her skill level.
So, this is a long introduction to a list of favorite family-friendly trails.
Best Local Trail: South Fork Rail Trail
I love this trail because it’s a short drive from Charlotte, but it has great views of the South Fork River, a mountainous feel, and waterfalls! The trail itself is easy with a gravel base that is wide and flat trail, making it perfect for every person regardless of age, skill, or ability. The trail base is gravel so its stable but still has a “natural” feel. The gravel base also means you can take a sturdy stroller down this trail!
The trail cuts through the 440-acre Historic Rhyne Conservation Area which is permanently protected by the Catawba Lands Conservancy. The conservation area includes mature hardwood forests, rare plants only found in the Carolinas, steep and rocky hillsides, and follows a rocky stretch of the South Fork River. The best time to hike this trail, in my opinion, is late April when the hillsides burst into bloom with thickets of Mountain Laurel. This means the trail keeps a wild and natural feel, while being 2-miles from downtown Lincolnton!
The trail follows the route of an abandoned narrow-gauge railroad that ran from Lenior, North Carolina to Chester, South Carolina. This rail-trail passes two former mills, and the the dams that powered them. One of the prettiest spots of the trail is the overlook across from the Laboratory Mill and dam. At the second dam are the remains of the power station for a second mill. These two dams comprise two of the three waterfalls found along the trail. The third one is further down the trail, after you cross Southfork Road.
Side note: Once you’re done hiking I recommend heading into Downtown Lincolnton and getting a bite to eat at Goodwood Pizza!
Best Swimming Hole: Upper Creek Falls
With summer just around the corner I am already thinking of ways to escape the heat, which means swimming in mountain streams! The hike to the swimming hole is a short half-mile hike down into the Upper Creek valley. It a little steep in places, so young kids may need a little help is some places, but the short trip makes it’s doable. Once you reach Upper Creek walk up the creek a short distance you reach the swimming hole! For families I would recommend just doing the half-mile down and back hike. The longer loop includes two wet crossings and a series of switchbacks.
I first discovered this trail about 10-years ago when I went on a summer camping trip with some friends from college. We spent the weekend up in Linville, NC hiking, fishing, and enjoying some time without cellphone coverage (there is coverage now). The highlight for me, was the 1.4-mile loop called Upper Creek Falls. We spent most of the day at the swimming hole before finishing up the entire hike.
This swimming hole has a rope swing AND a sliding rock into a deep plunge pool. For younger kids there are plenty of large flat rocks to hang-out on and dip their toes in. The sliding rock is long and wide, so it’s a very fun trip. There a chute at the top so you can add a little water-slide fun into your plunge. The half-mile down means the swimming hole doesn’t receive as much traffic as other places, but be sure to arrive early and pack a lunch in (and then pack it all out).
Bonus, for those who enjoy rock climbing, there is large crag with a series of established climbing routes.
Best Paddle Trail: South Fork River Blueway
You get your choice of paddling experience with this blueway: “Rocky and fast” or “smooth and lazy”. This is another Carolina Thread Trail segment. The upper section is free flowing from Spencer Mountain to just above I-85 with a take-out in McAdenville. You can either take-out in McAdenville or you can portage around the dam and continue downstream. Below the McAdenville dam the river runs into Lake Wylie and is a flatwater paddle to Cramerton.
Starting at the Spencer Mountain River Access, the blueway has a series of short rocky sections that make for a fun and bumpy ride. You might call them a Class I rapid, but its nothing to worry about. This section of river would be a great place to learn how to surf and test out a new whitewater kayak, but any boat would do just fine! This section of river flows through Catawba Land Conservancy’s Spencer Mountain Conservation Area, 1,500-acres of protected forest along the banks of the river. For most of this section both sides of the river are permanently protected hardwood forests. This section ends as you pass under I-85 with a take-out found on bank right.
The lower section of the South Fork River Blueway is centered around Cramerton. I really enjoy taking my family on this portion because its a flatwater river. We take a 16-foot touring kayak and launch from Riverside Park, then paddle up the river to Goat Island Park where the kids can go play on the natural playground. After playing at the park, we then paddle over to downtown Cramerton to get lunch. All of this within an easy 20-min paddle!