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Sherman Branch Nature Preserve
4.8 ★★★★★ 602 Google reviews · Running trail in Charlotte, North Carolina · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Not reported
- Loop distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Loop
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Sherman Branch Nature Preserve'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.
Mountain bike park and nature preserve featuring winding trails for beginners and experts.
What runners say about Sherman Branch Nature Preserve
“The trails in the Preserve and the neighborhood were well-kept, nice and clean.”
“We took our dogs for a 2 mile hike to the lake loop- maps are clear, beautiful fall colors.”
“The mountain bike trails are fun and exciting, and accessible for all levels (except for a few obstacles/challenges).”
Great place for getting outside and communing with nature. The mountain bike trails are fun and exciting, and accessible for all levels (except for a few obstacles/challenges). I love taking family out for walks along the main trails. This is one of my favorite places in Charlotte. I feel blessed to live so close
Amazing easy flowing Mountain Bike Trail! I took my 2 year old in her Front Seat Forward Mount on main trail and it was a blast! Then we had a picnic at the lake and of course had to take a pic in front of the iconic tower of power ;)
One of my favorite mountain biking trails in east Charlotte off I-485. I highly recommend for MTBers of any skill level. Total mileage for riding Main, Roller Coaster, and Lake Loop is just over 10-miles. The entire ride for advanced riders can take around an hour.
I went for the morning trail at Sherman Branch Mountain hiking trail. It was a nice trail with the beautiful lake at the end. This is a nice trail for mountain biking and many people were biking on it. The trail is a easy hike which goes through woods and has a beautiful lake at the end.
Trail conditions & character
“Careful on that second wood drop on main loop, it will bite you if you’re not on top of your game!”
“The parking lot fills up on weekends but the place is so big that you usually feel like you're alone.”
“We took our dogs for a 2 mile hike to the lake loop- maps are clear, beautiful fall colors.”
“During my walk in the Preserve, i only encountered a man with his 2 dogs at the pond area .”
“I highly recommend for MTBers of any skill level.”
“There are port-a-pot restrooms at the parking area as well as a picnic table.”
Plan your run at Sherman Branch Nature Preserve
The practical stuff
- AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
- 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, restrooms — reported by runners
- DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
Hours
| Monday | 7 am–7:30 pm |
| Tuesday | 7 am–7:30 pm |
| Wednesday | 7 am–7:30 pm |
| Thursday | 7 am–7:30 pm |
| Friday | 7 am–7:30 pm |
| Saturday | 7 am–7:30 pm |
| Sunday | 7 am–7:30 pm |
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Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
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