Bike Trails in Fayetteville, NC: Greenways & Mountain Biking

Fayetteville's best-known ride is the Cape Fear River Trail, a paved, 10-foot-wide path that runs more than 7 miles one way along the river and links to Cross Creek Linear Park downtown. Mountain bikers have just over 11 miles of woodland singletrack off the same trail, plus dedicated mountain bike loops at Smith Lake on Fort Bragg and longleaf pine trails at Carvers Creek State Park. Here is where to ride, where to park and the rules for each.

Fayetteville Bike Trails at a Glance

Trail	Type	Distance	Parking or access	Best for
Cape Fear River Trail	Paved multi-use	7+ miles one way	Jordan Soccer Complex off Treetop Dr, Clark Park (631 Sherman Dr), limited at Riverside Dog Park	Families, road bikes, fitness rides
Cross Creek Linear Park	Paved path	2.8 miles	Festival Park downtown to Riverside Dog Park	Downtown rides, connecting to the river trail
Cape Fear Mountain Bike Trail	Natural-surface singletrack	Just over 11 miles	Off the river trail about 1 mile north of Clark Park, near Eastwood Ave	Mountain biking close to downtown
Smith Lake mountain bike trails	Singletrack, bikes only	Several loops	Smith Lake Rd, Fort Bragg	Sandhills singletrack
Carvers Creek State Park	Natural-surface trails	3 miles (Long Valley Farm); 10.5 miles (Sandhills Access)	2505 Long Valley Rd, Spring Lake; 995 McCloskey Rd, Fayetteville	Gravel and mountain bikes, quiet rides

Cape Fear River Trail

The Cape Fear River Trail is open every day from 8 a.m. to dusk. It runs between the Jordan Soccer Complex in the north and Cross Creek Linear Park, with the Moses Mathis trailhead at Clark Park in the middle. Along the way you cross several wooden bridges, including a covered bridge, and more than 1,000 feet of boardwalk through marsh and wetlands. The trail is part of the East Coast Greenway, the planned route from Maine to Key West.

Rules for cyclists, as posted by the city:

• Keep your speed under 15 mph and yield to people on foot.
• Some sections are steep. Control your speed on the downhills, especially near the boardwalks.
• The trail is for non-motorized use. The city's page does not address e-bikes, so ask Fayetteville-Cumberland Parks and Recreation at (910) 433-1329 before riding one.
• Dogs must be leashed, so watch for leashes stretched across the path.

The trail is not a loop. Riding the full length and back is roughly 14 to 15 miles, which makes a solid fitness ride on a road or hybrid bike. Families with young kids usually stick to the flatter section around Clark Park. The city lists restrooms and playground equipment along the trail. For walking and running details, see our hiking trails guide.

Adding Cross Creek Linear Park

Cross Creek Linear Park follows the creek for 2.8 miles from Festival Park to Riverside Dog Park, where a short connector joins the river trail. Combining the two gives you a car-free ride from downtown to the Jordan Soccer Complex. Our Cape Fear River Trail and parks guide maps the whole corridor.

Cape Fear Mountain Bike Trail

The city's mountain bike trail is a meandering woodland route of just over 11 miles, reached from the river trail about a mile north of Clark Park toward Methodist University, near the Eastwood Avenue intersection. The city describes it as suitable for cyclists and hikers, so expect walkers, and slow down on blind corners. The trail is natural surface and can stay soft for a day or two after heavy rain; riding it wet causes ruts.

Smith Lake Mountain Bike Trails (Fort Bragg)

Smith Lake Recreation Area, on Smith Lake Road off Honeycutt Road, has a set of mountain bike loops that are popular with local riders.

• Public access: Fort Bragg MWR says the mountain bike and hiking trails and the park area are open to the public year-round unless noted. The campground is for DoD ID cardholders and guests.
• Bikes only: The trail is designated for mountain bikers, not multi-use.
• Hours: Rides may start one hour after sunrise and must end one hour before sunset, to protect roosting red-cockaded woodpeckers, an endangered species. Parts of the trail system can close seasonally for the same reason.
• Trailhead: On the left side of Smith Lake Road about 0.75 miles from Honeycutt Road, marked with a sign. MWR posts a trail map on its site.
• Rentals: The recreation area rents bikes; call (910) 396-5979.

Expect deep sand in places, a hallmark of the Sandhills, plus mud and washouts after storms. Wider tires help.

Carvers Creek State Park

Carvers Creek State Park has two separate access areas with bike-friendly trails and no day-use fee:

• Long Valley Farm Access, 2505 Long Valley Rd, Spring Lake: about 3 miles of biking around the historic farm and millpond.
• Sandhills Access, 995 McCloskey Rd, Fayetteville: about 10.5 miles of trail through longleaf pine forest, shared with horseback riders. Yield to horses and talk to riders as you approach so you do not spook them.

Hours vary by month, and the park closes on Christmas Day. Prescribed burns occasionally close trails such as the Wiregrass Loop, so check the park's alerts before you drive out.

Road Riding

The river trail's 15 mph limit and foot traffic make it better for easy miles than for fast training rides. For longer road rides, pick quiet secondary roads and avoid the busiest commercial corridors, such as Skibo Road, Raeford Road and Bragg Boulevard, where traffic is heavy. Ride early on weekends, wear bright clothing and use lights even in daytime.

Bike Shops

Shop	Address
Hawley's Bicycle World	4784 Raeford Rd
The Bicycle Shop	502 N McPherson Church Rd

Both were confirmed operating in October 2026. Call ahead for repair turnaround times, especially in spring.

Safety and Seasonal Tips

• Helmets: North Carolina law requires riders under 16 to wear a helmet on public roads and paths, and helmets are a good idea for everyone.
• Heat: From June through August, ride before 10 a.m. and carry more water than you think you need.
• Ticks and snakes: Check yourself after woodland trails, and give snakes on the path room to move off.
• Daylight: None of these trails are lit. Plan to finish before dusk at the city trails and an hour before sunset at Smith Lake.
• Paddle and pedal: If you want to see the river from the water too, our kayaking guide covers launches and conditions.

Sources

• City of Fayetteville: Cape Fear River Trail
• City of Fayetteville: Parks and Trails
• Fort Bragg MWR: Smith Lake Recreation Area
• NC State Parks: Carvers Creek State Park
• East Coast Greenway
• TrailLink: Cape Fear River Trail

Details checked October 2026.