Whether you prefer to run along the sidewalks of scenic neighborhoods or to get in your daily cardio running nature trails, Charlotte and its surrounding areas offer a variety of trails to get a fantastic run in.

The Booty Loop 

The Booty Loop trail running through Freedom Park Charlotte
The Booty Loop runs through scenic parks.

Initially finding out that a trail is named The Booty Loop might throw you off a bit—or at least make you giggle a little—unless you’ve lived in the Queen City for a while. Then, it won’t even phase you, as it's one of the city’s most popular routes for runners and bikers. 

There are several varying accounts on how the almost three-mile loop through Myers Park got the goofy moniker. The answer you’ll get really just depends on who you ask. Some say the loop was nicknamed for 24 Hours of Booty, an annual charity cycling event to raise money for cancer, while others joke it’s because you mainly see the backsides of cyclists and runners while driving down the road. Either way, the name stuck, and you can expect to find plenty of runners and cyclists exercising on the loop at all hours. 

On it, you’ll pass stately mansions, perfectly manicured lawns, and the immaculate campus of Queen’s University of Charlotte. The Booty Loop not only provides a safe route to run with well-maintained sidewalks, but its picturesque tree-lined streets provide a much-welcomed reprieve from the sun on warm days.

Charlotte Rail Trail

The Charlotte Rail Trail next to the Light Rail tracks with buildings behind
The beautiful Rail Trail runs directly adjacent to the Lynx Blue Line.

Spanning 3.5 miles, the Charlotte Rail Trail has quickly become a go-to running spot for locals in recent years. The trail offers a paved, well-lit place to run, and takes runners through several of Charlotte’s busiest neighborhoods, including the heart of Uptown, plus, the ever-growing areas of South End, Sedgefield, Southside Park, Brookhill, Dilworth, and Wilmore.

Along the trail—which runs parallel to the Lynx Blue Line (the city’s light rail)—runners will find everything from Crayola-colored murals and eccentric art installations to some of Charlotte’s most popular breweries and cafes. The Charlotte Rail Trail is ideal for social runners who want to get in a workout and then wind down with a cold beverage or bite to eat with friends.

U.S. National Whitewater Center

If you prefer to get off the pavement and out of the city for a change of scenery, consider running at the U.S. National Whitewater Center. Spanning a total of 1,300 acres, the USNWC is renowned for its impressive man-made rapids, rafting, and kayaking, but the facility also boasts more than 50 miles of trails for people who’d rather run than raft. Trails are open year-round and wind throughout the expansive property’s tranquil woodland beside the scenic banks of the Catawba River. 

Within the 50 miles, there are over two dozen trails with varying difficulty levels and distances, giving runners of all skill levels the opportunity to challenge themselves. Trails range from a short 0.25-mile route up to 5.7 miles. Most paths interconnect, making it easy to add additional mileage to your run. Be aware that the trails are shared between runners, hikers, and bikers, so you may want to pay attention to your surroundings as you coast through.

The USNWC doesn't require visitors to purchase a day pass to use the trails, but there is a $6 parking fee. Leashed dogs are allowed on the trails. Maps of the property and routes are available online and can also be purchased at the Outfitters Store and Trail Center. Closures depend on trail conditions and the weather.

Anne Springs Close Greenway

Anne Springs Close Greenway with a hanging trail in Charlotte
Anne Springs Close Greenway has 20 unique routes.

Located less than 20 miles from uptown Charlotte in the popular suburb of Fort Mill, South Carolina, the Anne Springs Close Greenway also offers runners an extensive trail system that weaves through peaceful woodlands and past scenic ponds and lakes. 

Made up of 2,100 acres of land, the greenway features a well-marked, 36-mile trail system that consists of over 20 different routes. Trail lengths range from 0.3 miles up to 7.2 miles and vary between paved surfaces, sand, and dirt trails. Most of the trails are intertwined, so you can always extend a run by easily hopping onto another route. While there are specific trails designated for hiking and running only, there are a few paths that are shared with bikers and horseback riders, but they're clearly marked to make sure you’re aware.

The greenway is open seven days a week from 7 a.m. to sunset. Passes are required to enter Anne Springs Close Greenway. Daily passes can be purchased for $6 and yearly memberships are $60 for individuals and $120 for families. The property is pet-friendly, and leashed dogs are allowed on the trails. Maps are posted at the greenway’s entrances, on the Anne Springs Close Greenway website, and can also be downloaded directly to your phone by texting GWMap to 515-55.