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Hickory Trail


The Hickory Trail is one of the Crafting Hickory projects that has the potential to transform our community. Spanning 10 miles across the city, the Hickory Trail will provide bicycle and pedestrian safety while connecting popular destinations and amenities. The Trail, along with the City’s culture of providing an atmosphere for dynamic growth and robust development, will be a major asset in the community’s effort to craft a strong economy, provide good jobs, and create a desirable quality of life for residents.

The Hickory Trail encompasses the City Walk, Riverwalk, Aviation Walk, Historic Ridgeview Walk, and OLLE Art Walk

Interactive Map

Interactive Map

Plan your route and discover all Hickory has to offer on the Hickory Trail.

Trail Markers

Trail Markers

Read the markers to learn about historical locations along the trail.

Points of Interest

Points of Interest

The Hickory Trail connects destinations and amenities across the city.

Hickory Trail FAQs

The City Walk, Riverwalk, and Aviation Walk are currently open for public use. The Historic Ridgeview Walk and OLLE Art Walk segments of the Hickory Trail are under construction.

A “multiuse trail” is any city-maintained pathway, at least 10 feet in width, designated for the shared use of pedestrians, bicycles, and non-motorized vehicles. A “sidewalk” is that portion of a street between the curb lines, or the lateral lines of a roadway, and the adjacently property lines, generally ranging in width from 48 inches to 60 inches, intended for the use of pedestrians.

Yes! The Hickory Trail is designed for pedestrians and bicyclists. 

Yes. The Hickory Trail is a multiuse trail designated for the shared use of pedestrians, bicycles, skateboards, inline skates, roller blades, and certain motorized devices, including electric assisted bicycles (e-bikes), electric standup scooters, motorized skateboards, one-wheels, segways, and hoverboards. Helmets are required for persons under the age of 16 when riding or operating one of the permissible devices just listed. Mobility scooters, or devices for persons with mobility impairment, are also permitted.  

Yes. Permissible recreational devices must not exceed 15 miles per hour. Mobility devices must not exceed 12 miles per hour when operated on the Trail. 

There are multiple access points to the Riverwalk with several options for parking. (1) Park at Rotary-Geitner Park (2035 12th St Dr NW, Hickory, NC 28601) and walk to the trails and overwater bridge. One end of the overland, elevated Riverwalk trail begins here. (2) Park at Hickory City Park (1581 12th St Dr NW, Hickory, NC 28601), enter the Lake Hickory Trails system, and continue on the paved greenway to the overland Riverwalk trail sections and overwater bridge. (3) Park at the Riverwalk overwater bridge trailhead at the end of Old Lenoir Road (1580 Old Lenoir Rd NW, Hickory, NC 28601). Park here for the shortest distance to the overwater bridge. (4) Park at Jaycee Park (1250 15th Ave NW, Hickory, NC 28601), home of P.D. Fowler Field, and walk down Old Lenoir Road to the Riverwalk bridge trailhead. 

No. The Riverwalk bridge on Lake Hickory is part of the Hickory Trail multiuse path system intended for pedestrians and bicyclists. Therefore, fishing is not permitted from the bridge or other parts of the Riverwalk trail. Diving from the overwater bridge is prohibited, and swimming is not permitted in this area. 

Dogs and cats must be on a short leash and always supervised by their owner or handler. Please bag and properly dispose of any pet waste. Pet waste stations with bags are provided along the Trail. Pets other than dogs and cats are prohibited. 

Please call 828-323-7500 and provide detailed information.  

No. Do not post or place any signage on the Trail without permission from the City of Hickory. 

 

‣ Speed limit is 15 miles per hour.

‣ Walkers/runners have the right of way.

‣ Keep right; pass on the left.

‣ Bicyclists under 16 years old must wear a helmet.

‣ Leash law in effect.

‣ Clean up pet waste.

‣ No littering.


Motorcycles and golf carts are prohibited. (
Ordinance 18-59 & 4-21)