Southview Park
Distance: 5.1 mi Elevation Gain: 175 ft Est. Time: 45-60 mins for all the loops Difficulty: Intermediate
Rolling, beginner-friendly singletrack under shady hardwoods near the airport. Start on the easy Main Loop, then step up to bridges, berms and a stone arch flyover.
Southview Park (formerly Southwest District Park, or SWDP) is a compact network of rolling singletrack under a canopy of hardwoods, just east of Charlotte Douglas Airport. It's a great place to build skills.
An easy Main Loop forms the backbone, and side loops let you add distance and challenge when you're ready.
The Main Loop (about 2 miles) is the beginner route. Expect some roots and rocks, short punchy climbs and a few small jumps. Two 26-foot bridges carry you across the creek. Little Monster and Pip are short add-ons.
Three intermediate side loops branch off the Main Loop and always bring you back to it. Tamale (0.5 mile) has one of the longest, flowiest downhills in the park. Stillwater Loop (1.25 miles) adds tight turns, 13 bridges and wooden crossings, and a beginner-friendly wooden berm. Abu Run (0.75 mile) is the showpiece, with hand-built gravity-cavity features, a stone arch you ride under and later fly over, and a 30-foot wooden berm. It also has the longest climb in the park, finishing with a tight switchback.
Every feature has a ride-around, so you can ride at your own level. The trails are built to be ridden in one direction, for flow and for safety.
The trails are hand-built and maintained by Tarheel Trailblazers volunteers. The Main Loop opened in 2008, followed by Tamale (2017), Stillwater (2020) and Abu Run (2021). Night riding is allowed.
Interactive Trail Map
Details & Logistics
Southview Recreation Center Parking Lot
1720 Vilma St, Charlotte, NC 28208
Parking next to the recreation center. Trail entrance is in the northwest corner of the lot, with a small kiosk and signs,
Get DirectionsTrails and parking are open 24 hours. Recreation Center is open varying hours by day - see their website.
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.
Trails close when wet, so check the status at the top of this page before you head out. The hardwood canopy keeps things shaded in summer. In the fall, leaf cover can make the trail hard to see in places.
All trails are one-way - follow the arrows. The side loops branch off the Main Loop and always bring you back to it. You'll share the trail with hikers, trail runners and dogs on leashes, so keep your speed in check on blind corners and be ready to yield to people on foot.
Night riding is allowed.
Gas, restaurants available on West Blvd and the other the main highways nearby. Nearest bike shops are in Dilworth / Park Road.
Bathrooms and water available in the Southview Recreation Center when it os open.
Trail Segments
Main Loop
The Main Loop (about 2 miles) is the beginner route. Expect some roots and rocks, short punchy climbs and a few small jumps. Two 26-foot bridges carry you across the creek. Optional intermediate loops branch off and return to the main loop.
Pip
Short alternate route for returning to trailhead
Little Monster
Short add on with some technical singletrack.
Abu Run
Fun intermediate singletrack with hand-built gravity-cavity features, a stone arch you ride under and later fly over, and a 30-foot wooden berm. It also has the longest climb in the park, finishing with a tight switchback.
Tamale
Has one of the longest, flowiest downhills in the park
Stillwater Loop
Has tight turns, 13 bridges and wooden crossings, and a beginner-friendly wooden berm.
First Timer Tips
- Start on the Main Loop to get a feel for the trail. Stillwater Loop is the natural next step.
- All trails are one-way. Follow the arrows.
- Every feature has a ride-around. If you're unsure, take the go-around first and have a look.
- Abu Run is the biggest step up: the stone arch flyover, a 30-footwooden berm and the park's longest climb, with a tight switchback at the end.
- Expect roots, rocks and short punchy climbs, even on the Main Loop.
- You'll share the trail with hikers, trail runners and dogs on leashes.
- Trails close when wet. Check the status before you drive over.
- Night riding is allowed, so bring lights if you might finish after dark.