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Highland Rail Trail Trailhead
3.1 ★★★☆☆ 18 Google reviews · Running trail in Gastonia, North Carolina · Hours vary
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Mixed
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Not reported
Confirmed from Highland Rail Trail Trailhead's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
What runners say about Highland Rail Trail Trailhead
The Highland Rail-Trail connects with the Highland Branch Greenway at the Pedestrian Tunnel under Bulb Ave. This is a smooth and paved trail that permits hikers, bikers, folks with strollers, & wheelchairs to travel from Downtown Gastonia 3 miles to Rankin Lake Park. Easy terrain to travel.
Trail conditions & character
“This is a smooth and paved trail that permits hikers, bikers, folks with strollers, & wheelchairs to travel from Downtown Gastonia 3 miles to Rankin Lake Park.”
“This is a smooth and paved trail that permits hikers, bikers, folks with strollers, & wheelchairs to travel from Downtown Gastonia 3 miles to Rankin Lake Park.”
Plan your run at Highland Rail Trail Trailhead
The practical stuff
- AccessHours vary — hours are not posted for this trail, so check before an early or late run
- SurfaceMixed — more than one surface along the route, so check the segment you plan to run
- DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- At the trailheadparking — reported by runners
- Stroller / wheelchairReported as smooth and step-free enough for a running stroller or a chair.
- Trail mapOfficial trail map
- Websitecarolinathreadtrail.org
- Phone+1 704-376-2556
- Social Instagram · Facebook
Running trails near Gastonia
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
Avon/Catawba Creeks Greenway
4.7 ★★★★★ 117 reviews
Asphalt trail for exercising, running, walking and biking, with shaded sections.
Rankin Lake Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 2,425 reviews
Park featuring a reservoir, picnic shelters, horseshoes, paved trails, fishing, boating & more.
Martha Rivers Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 1,711 reviews
48-acre park with a youth sports complex & castle-themed playground, plus trails & picnic shelters.