The map told me to expect a long ride. And even though it was most recent version, it couldn’t keep up with the system’s expansion. Instead of seven miles to explore, I was getting a bonus mile and a half. At 8.5 miles, I was now getting to explore the Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation greenway system’s longest stretch of interconnected trail.

Located in northeast Charlotte near the UNC-Charlotte campus, the Mallard Creek/Clark’s Creek/Ruth B. Shaw Trail on the Toby Creek Greenway network is the longest stretch of uninterrupted greenway in the Charlotte/Mecklenburg system. It’s bonafide escape, too: thanks to several key underpasses, the 7-mile Mallard Creek/Clark’s Creek network crosses only one road. Otherwise, it’s greenway uninterrupted — for a long run, a bike ride, a contemplative stroll. Great for a workout, it’s also good for a family outing: both Mallard Creek and Clark’s Creek offer Lewis & Clark-type opportunities for young explorers. It’s an idea weekend adventure, one worth putting your bikes on the roof rack and spending an hour behind the wheel for.

Some specifics to help with your trip:

Trailhead: The best trailhead for exploring the network is from Kirk Farm Fields park on Mallard Creek Road just southeast of N. Tryon Road. There’s ample parking in a gravel lot, water and a map to orient you for your travels. Plus, it’s on the far southeast end of the trail network, making for a sensible out-and-back. Additional trailheads with parking are at Countryside Montessori School on Mallard Creek Road, Mallard Creek Elementary School and along Saxonbury Way.

Length: 8.5 miles (for a total of 17 miles in out-and-back travel).

Recommended route: From the Kirk Farm Fields trailhead, head west on the Mallard Creek Greenway under N. Tryon Road, under I-85. This is classic floodplain greenway with a generous canopy much of the way and Mallard Creek to keep you company. At Research Drive the trail turns to packed gravel fire road (friendly to skinny tires); paralleling the rocky Mallard Creek, this 1.2-mile stretch has a mountainous feel. At the intersection with Clark’s Creek, veer left to stay on the Mallard Creek Greenway (worry not; you’ll be returning). Good opportunities along this 1.5-mile stretch to explore Mallard Creek. At trail’s end, return to Clark’s Creek Greenway and go left for 2.4 miles of similar terrain. Return down Clark’s Creek, go left on Mallard’s Creek and within a third of a mile of the Kirk Farm Fields trailhead, go right on the Ruth B. Shaw Trail on the Toby Creek Greewany. This trail runs 1.6 miles through the UNC-Charlotte campus.

Navigation tip: There are several neighborhood access routes that tap into this greenway network and at times it may not seem immediately clear which path keeps you on the greenway. Look down, though, and the neighborhood connector will be stenciled, in white, with the name of the street and neighborhood it connects to.

Backyard sightseeing: Admit it, one of the reasons we like greenways is that they snake past people’s backyards, giving you a chance to see how the Jones’s live. The highlight on this trip is about two miles into the Clark’s Creek Greenway (from the Mallard Creek intersection), where you’ll spot a two-story playhouse/office/in-law suite/studio/place-to-send-the-kids-when-they-get-too-loud. Cooler still: There’s a climbing wall up the front of the structure.

Front-yard sightseeing: The Ruth B. Shaw/Toby Creek path runs through the UNC Charlotte campus, bisecting the school’s athletic facilities.

Especially good for: Because there are so few road crossings and because of the greenway’s length, it’s especially good for long training runs and longer bike rides for cyclists skittish of mixing it up with car traffic.

More info: Download a map of this greenway as well as others in the Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation System here. You can also get a hardcopy version of the map by calling 704.336.3854.

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Mallard Creek/Clark’s Creek/Ruth B. Shaw Trail on the Toby Creek Greenway Map

View Charlotte Greenway: Mallard Creek/Clark’s Creek/Toby Creek in a larger map

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