Renaissance Park
Distance: 4.5 mi Elevation Gain: 300 ft Est. Time: 45-60 mins for a complete lap of both sections Difficulty: Intermediate
Combines technical singletrack with a lot of characterful features together with a fast, lappable short track with berms, jumps and rock features. All weather, so often open when other trails closed.
Renaissance Park, or "Renni" to local riders, is a Mecklenburg County park off West Tyvola Road in southwest Charlotte, near the airport. It has about 4.5 miles of mountain bike trail looked after by Tarheel Trailblazers volunteers in two main sections.
The first is the Short Track area: a fast, flowing main loop of about a mile with berms, small jumps and rock gardens. It is the course for the long-running Winter Short Track race series. Optional loops add variety if you are not racing!
The Main Trail is old-school Charlotte riding: tight, twisty singletrack with lots of roots, short punchy climbs, jump, small drops, bridges and boardwalk. The “Renni Rampage” area towards the end of the loop has a several natural rock features dropping into a creek with rideable lines of varying difficulty.
Most riders rate Renni as intermediate. If you are newer to singletrack, warm up on the short track first, then try the longer Main Trail at your own pace.
Trail volunteers do a lot of work to design and build these trails to be ridden in all weather, so it is a good bet when most other area trails are closed. Just remember wet can be slippery!
The trails are shared with hikers and trail runners, and parts of the loop pass close to the disc golf course. Ride in control and yield to people on foot.
Interactive Trail Map
Details & Logistics
Skate Park Parking Lot
1536 W Tyvola Rd, Charlotte, NC 28217
Most riders park in the lot next to the skate park and softball fields. The entrance to the Short Track area is at the northwest corner of the lot and the entrance to the Main Trail is at the southeast corner of the lot.
Get DirectionsPark open dawn to dusk
Class 1 e-bikes are allowed on trails. Class 1 means bikes that only provide electric assistance when pedaling, don’t have a throttle and don't provide assistance over 20mph. Any bike with a throttle or that can provide electric assistance over 20mph is not allowed on trails because of the safety risk to other trail users, and the hard to repair trail damage they cause.
This trail system is ALL WEATHER. This means it’s open, rain or shine. The trail stewards have work intensively to make this happen. Of course, there is always room for improvement so please recommend and come help dig! Expect all conditions along the trail. If it hasn’t rained in weeks, it’ll be dry and dusty. If you’re in the middle of a rain storm, it’ll be wet and slick. If it’s a day after a hilly washer of a storm, it’ll be damp and you will see some standing water/mud. The short track and connector trail of the main trail take a bit longer to dry completely, but don’t be afraid to go ride. The back side of the main trail dries quicker. PLEASE ride this trail in the wet. It helps us see the trouble spots and allows us the opportunity to improve them.
Ride the loops counter-clockwise and follow the arrows. Some optional loops and short gulley routes, usually indicated clearly. "Renni Rampage" area marked as a trail feature on the map. The trails are shared with hikers and trail runners: slow down and say hello when you pass.
No night riding as park closes at dusk.
Gas, food available both directions on Tyvola Rd. Closest bike shop in Park Road Shopping Center.
There are public restrooms in pavilion in the middle of the softball fields / dog park / volleyball courts.
Trail Segments
Short Track
The all-weather race course from the Winter Short Track series. Fast and flowing, with berms, small jumps and rock gardens. Optional additional loops to add variety. A great place for laps that allow you to keep sharpening your skills and line choices.
Main Trail
The main woods loop and the heart of old-school Renni. Tight, twisty singletrack with roots, short steep climbs, drops, bridges and optional gulley routes. The “Renni Rampage” area towards the end of the loop has a several natural rock features dropping into a creek with rideable lines of varying difficulty. Look before riding those and know your own skill level.
First Timer Tips
Trailheads for the two sections are at opposite ends of the parking lot next to the skate park / softball fields. Ride the lot to join the sections.
New to Renni? Warm up on the short track to get a feel for the berms and jumps before heading into the woods.
Trail is all weather, so you can ride when wet, unlike most area trails. But remember wet can be slippery, especially on roots, wooden features and when leaves are on the ground.
Media
Videos
Renni Social Ride 2026
A quick taste of what Renni has to offer!