Trail Run Project Logo

A moderate trail that winds along the base of Crowders Mountain.


Your Rating: Rating Rating Rating Rating Rating      Clear Rating
Your Difficulty:
Your Favorites: Add To-Do · Your List
Zoom in to see details
Map Key

2.6

Miles

4.1

KM

97%

Runnable

1,177' 359 m

High

851' 259 m

Low

355' 108 m

Up

63' 19 m

Down

3%

Avg Grade (2°)

13%

Max Grade (7°)

Dogs Unknown

Features Birding · Fall Colors · Views · Wildlife

Description

The Crowder's Trail is a 2.8-mile, moderate trail that winds along the base of Crowder's Mountain from the visitor's center to the Backside Trail at the Linwood Road Access.

A full out-and-back journey on this trail amounts to a nice 5.6-mile trip. The Crowder's Trail itself winds through the pine-oak forests that are gradually being over taken by oaks. Below the summit, this trail is lightly used, offering users a nice experience.

The going here is much less strenuous than the run to the summit. However, most visitors do make a nice loop out of the Crowder's Trail by connecting to two or three other trails in the area, most of which take visitors to the iconic summit of Crowder's Mountain.

The Crowder's Trail starts at the Crowder's Mountain State Park visitors center at the Sparrow Springs Access. Please note that on weekends, this parking lot fills quickly and visitors arriving later in the day might have to drive to a different lot to access the park.

The trail meanders for a while through the forest before crossing the road. The trail continues to the junction of the Rocktop Trail and Crowders Trail. Staying on the Crowders Trail will take visitors along the base of Crowders Mountain for an enjoyable and moderate run through the pine-oak forest.

This is a less-traveled trail and may offer a little more peace and quiet with a lot of nice hammock-ing stops along the way. Most choose to complete a loop and take the strenuous Rocktop Trail up to the summit of Crowders Mountain. The trail is very rocky but the views are well worth the effort.

From the Rocktop Trail, visitors have the choice to head down the Tower Trail (which is a gravel road), connecting to the Backside Trail and then back to the Crowders Trail OR staying on the Rocktop Trail to the very popular overlook with views of Charlotte then down connecting back to the Crowders Trail.

Connecting to the other trails heading up to the summit makes for a very challenging loop and staying on the Crowders Trail can be a rewarding route as well, especially for visitors who seek a less strenuous outing.

Contacts

Shared By:

Kristen Arendt

Trail Ratings

  3.9 from 14 votes

#10019

Overall
  3.9 from 14 votes
5 Star
21%
4 Star
50%
3 Star
21%
2 Star
7%
1 Star
0%
Trail Rankings

#362

in North Carolina

#10,019

Overall
14 Views Last Month
2,256 Since Nov 22, 2016
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult

0%
0%
64%
7%
29%
0%

Photos

Dramatic views from Crowder Mountain!
Nov 22, 2016 near Besseme…, NC
The sign located at the T-intersection from the visitor center.
Oct 5, 2020 near Kings M…, NC
Getting ready to cross the Freedom Mill Road with Khloe and Cooper
Jul 15, 2018 near South G…, NC
Views are lovely, even from the lower reaches of Crowder Mountain!
Nov 22, 2016 near Besseme…, NC
Crossing the dried up creek bed with Cooper.
Jul 15, 2018 near Kings M…, NC
Heading to the Parking Lot... Great day!
Jul 9, 2018 near Kings M…, NC

0 Comments

Weather


Current Trail Conditions

Unknown
Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Welcome

Join the Community! It's FREE

Already have an account? Login to close this notice.