Best Places to Run in Charlotte

Looking for the best places to run in Charlotte? Look no further. With greenways, trail systems, neighborhoods and urban areas, Charlotte has a little bit of everything.

Stop by one of Fleet Feet’s locations in Charlotte or Fort Mill for an expert outfitting, to join a group run, or to learn more about the best places to run in our area. You can also join a Fort Mill training program or Charlotte training program.

Here are some of our favorite places to run in the area.

Little Sugar Creek Greenway

Best for: Long runs, speed work, walks
Surface type: Road
Start and End Point: 425 N Kings Drive, Charlotte, NC
Distance: 10 miles out and back (5 miles one way)
Public restrooms, Water fountains available

Little Sugar Creek Greenway is a flat, paved path that covers about 5 miles in one direction, making it perfect for a 10-mile out and back or anything shorter. If you begin at Central Piedmont Community College and head down the path, you’ll pass Elizabeth Park, the Trail of History, Thompson Park, Midtown Park, Freedom Park and more. There are several road crossings, so your run will not be completely car-free, but the length of the path offers plenty of options for your run.

Colonel Francis Beatty Park

Best for: A peaceful trail run
Surface type: Trail, boardwalk
Start and End Point: 4330 Weddington Rd, Matthews, NC
Distance: 4.5-mile loop

Colonel Francis Beatty Park is a beautiful multipurpose area for mountain biking, tennis, hiking and of course, running. It’s an excellent area for birding and many people come to picnic or fish by the lake. There is a 4.5-mile singletrack trail that circles the park and sees very little elevation gain. Just watch your step as there are sections with plenty of tree roots. Keep an eye out for wildlife, too. Dogs are permitted, but they must be leashed.

Four Mile Creek Greenway

Best for: Shorter runs
Surface type: Mixed gravel and pavement
Start and End Point: 5803 Bevington Pl, Charlotte, NC
Distance: 4 miles out and back (2 miles one way)

This popular greenway has a mix of packed gravel and pavement, and is mostly flat and tree-covered. It connects Matthews Elementary School to Squirrel Lake Park and East John Street. It’s a perfect spot for an out and back run. Squirrel Lake Park has a lake, large playground and restrooms.

McAlpine Creek Park

Best for: Speed work and racing, long runs
Surface type: Mixed pavement, trail
Start and End Point: 8711 Monroe Rd, Charlotte, NC
Distance: 1 - 15+ miles

If you ever ran cross country in the southeast, chances are good that you have raced at McAlpine park. McAlpine is a 114-acre county park that boasts a well-maintained course for hosting cross country championship races in the 5K and 8K distance. It also connects to McAlpine Creek Greenway, (4.6 miles), the Cottonwood Nature Trail (1.5 miles) and the Campbell Creek Greenway (3.6 miles). The combination of these trails make McAlpine a versatile area whether you want to run fast or slow, long or short. You can also bring a furry friend to enjoy the off-leash dog park.