The developing 40-mile Burke River Trail will follow the south side of the Catawba River, dipping down to the small towns of Burke County. The hiking and biking trail will be a mix of natural surface, crushed cinder and paved as it wanders along the river banks and into downtowns.
Communities along the trail will reap trail benefits such as increased economic activity, bike and pedestrian transportation, improved citizen health.
Connections to other trails
- Fonta Flora State Trail and Overmountain Victory State Trail – co-location Morganton Greenway
- Wilderness Gateway State Trail – co-located on Valdese Greenway and combined trailhead at Henry River Mill Village
- Hickory Trail – connection to Aviation Walk at Hickory Airport
- Upper Catawba River Paddle Trail – 6 access points on BRT
- Valdese Lakeside Park and Oak Hill Park & Forest – will pass through each large park
The Burke River Trail (lime green) will connect to 3 State Trails: Fonta Flora State Trail (purple dash west to Lake James), the Wilderness Gateway State Trail (large pink dot SMSP to Valdese) and the Overmountain National Historic Trail (pink/purple dash). Huge loop opportunity!
It also co-locates with many Upper Catawba River Paddle Trail access points.
Trail Status as of Spring 2025
- Corridor Feasibility Study Complete
- Trail on the Ground – 2-mile Valdese Greenway, 0.5 mile on BCPS property in Valdese, 4-mile Morganton Greenway, 0.15 at Horseshoe Park Rhodhiss, and 2.5-mile of scattered sidewalk (blue)
- Next up – 0.5 mile in Rhodhiss, 4 miles in Morganton – getting closer
- Contacting landowners along other segments
Helpful Info
- Private Landowners and Trail
- Crime on Trails
- Greenways: Landowner Considerations In Making Land Available For Public Use
- Permits – Shoreline Activities
- Shoreline Management
- Sample Greenway Easement
Segments: Regional trails are often built in segments as stakeholders along the path are able to contribute and as right of ways are obtained.