Neighborhood Trail
See everything suburbia has to offer.
Not to be overlooked: the sweeping and quickly growing expanse of suburbia south of Uptown Charlotte. South Charlotte is a family-friendly segment of the city that’s home to clusters of neighborhoods, schools, shopping centers, restaurants, hotels and green spaces.
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Time/Distance Estimates
Route 1
Four Mile Creek Greenway Parking at Piper Glen to Toringdon Circle Shopping Center
- 2.5 miles
- 49-min walk
- 12-min bike ride
- Moderate intensity
OR
ROUTE 2
Four Mile Creek Greenway Parking at Piper Glen to Ballantyne Village
- 2.5. miles
- 1 hour 38-min walk
- 24-min bike ride
- Moderate intensity
Neighborhoods to Note
Piper Glen, Ballantyne
Four Mile Creek Greenway and Lower McAlpine Creek Greenways featuring more than 2.5 trail miles through South Charlotte
Get excited for the uninterrupted trails ahead that are segments of the Carolina Thread Trail, running through a floodplain and wetland habitat, plus the location of the first Great Blue Heron rookery to be documented in Mecklenburg County.
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Be on the lookout for Great Blue Herons.
Word on the trail
"Great place to bring the family for a long ride or walk." - Matt H., Google Reviews
The Shops at Piper Glen, a neighborhood stop for necessities
This trail’s starting-point parking area is conveniently located across the street from the Shops at Piper Glen in case you need a snack or lunch before your trek.
Sanctuary Bistro
This vegan bistro serves sustainable, organic eats.
DeSarno’s
This family-owned shop offers premade family meals like quiches and eggplant parmigian
Run For Your Life
Find any type of running gear you need, from footwear, to apparel, to accessories.
Bird House on the Greenway
This spot is for birders and nature enthusiasts looking for bird feeders and houses, deer feed and more.
Veer off from the greenway: to Toringdon Circle Shopping Center or Ballantyne Village
Option 1: Toringdon Circle Shopping Center, a vibrant development with retail and dining
From McAlpine Creek Greenway, turn left to reach the Lower McAlpine Greenway trailhead.
The Four Mile Creek Greenway backs right up to this elegant center that showcases some favorite local brands.
Viva Chicken
For fast-casual Peruvian and the brightest sauces.
Midwood Smokehouse
BBQ galore – go for the brisket.
Pike Nurseries
Venture through the garden center to check out flowers and plants.
Ballantyne Jewelers
Stop by for custom design, jewelry repair and more.
Option 2: Ballantyne Corporate Park, a 535-acre development booming with businesses
From Lower McAlpine Greenway, move through Toringdon Circle Shopping Center and into the North Community House Road bike lane. Follow it to turn right into the Ballantyne Commons Parkway bike lane and continue on.
Hit the neighborhood bike lanes to explore deeper into suburbia. One big economic driver in this area is the corporate park, which includes Wingate University's Ballantyne Campus.
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Look around at various works of art in the park, including six sculptures from Zimbabwe that were chosen from the local Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden’s ZimSculpt exhibit.
Ballantyne Village, a charming hub for retail and dining
This multi-level gathering spot for neighborhood families comes alive with music performances, public art and more.
The Blue Taj
Come for the authentic Indian cuisine, stay for the casual patio and mango-chickpea chaat.
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Get up close to the Monuments of Ballantyne, four tall archways at the edge of the Village that reflect different aspects of Charlotte history: technology, transportation, finance and human spirit.b
Word on the trail
“This place has a wide variety of food options as well as entertainment options." - Chef P., Google Reviews
Cafe Fior
Follow your craving for wine, espresso or tapas (like bite-sized grilled cheese).
Trail Complete
KEEP MOVING
Want to continue your suburban adventure? From Toringdon Circle Shopping Center, there are still miles of greenway to explore. Spend more time on the McAlpine Creek Greenway and follow it to McMullen Creek Greenway, all the way to Pineville-Matthews Road before you turn back.
Toringdon Market Shopping Center
Neighborhoods to Note
Piper Glen, Ballantyne
Piper Glen
This community holds 12 of its own little neighborhoods and is known for its mature tree canopy, rolling hills and TPC Golf Course.
Ballantyne
As a 2,000-acre planned community, Ballantyne already feels like its own little city in South Charlotte filled with shopping, dining and family-friendly destinations. Now, it’s undergoing a fresh transformation into a more urban and walkable community.
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