Some Biking Routes north of Charlotte, NC

A few years ago I was biking in North Carolina, around the area north of Charlotte, on a pretty regular basis. Here are a few of my favorite bike routes in that area. Of them all, the area surrounding Lake Norman State Park is really beautiful. You can park in the park, bike around the area, bike up to the town of Statesville for lunch and then bike back to the park. For a really full day, there’s boat rental at the park too.

Davidson is also a really cute town. Home to Davidson College, it has lots of restaurants, cafes and ice cream shops, as well as a bike shop if you need one.

North Carolina State Parks

Greenways in Charlotte-Mecklenburg County

Hiking, Biking, Kayaking in the Poconos — weekend trip from Philadelphia or New York

The Poconos is a good place to go for outdoor activities not too far from Philadelphia or New York. I’ve been meaning to hike the Pinchot trail. There’s a few different loops you can do there. I’ve marked the trailhead parking lot and you can go from there.

To make it a full weekend, why not do one day of hiking and a second day of biking or kayaking? There’s plenty of places to rent bikes and boats in the area. Have fun!

Pocono Mountains Tourist Information

Information on the Pinchot Trail

Information on Pinchot State Forest

Philadelphia — Escape to the Countryside — New Hope

New Hope is a wonderful little town within striking distance of Philadelphia (and also New York). Good for a day or an entire weekend, New Hope has cute inns, good restaurants and art galleries in town. Further afield are some wineries and nice biking or walking along the river towpath (on the New Jersey side). Many of the restaurants in town are BYOB and you can grab some wine at one of the wineries or at a wine shop in New Jersey.

A little further to the northwest is Nockamixon State Park, where you can rent a boat.

The below map shows New Hope and the surrounding area. Have fun! And if you go, please post here and let us know how your time in New Hope was.

Bucks County Tourism Info for New Hope and Lambertville

Pennsylvania Tourism Info for New Hope

New Hope Chamber of Commerce

Delaware & Raritan Canal Towpath info (for biking or walking)

Philadelphia — Escape From Center City — Mt. Airy Village and the Wissahickon

Philly is great city and has lots to offer, but sometimes you just need a breath of fresh air. Thankfully, Philly has plenty of that to offer, too. You can get to Mt. Airy and the Wissahickon section of Fairmount Park by train, bike or car. Once you’re there you’ll find a some cute cafes and restaurants and a beautiful park that will make you forget that you’re still within the city limits. Make an afternoon or a whole day out of a field trip to Mt. Airy, but be forewarned, if you want to get to Valley Green Inn for lunch or dinner, it is down a big hill from the village (and then back up a big hill, of course).

SEPTA — Philly Public Transit

Hiking/Mountain Biking Trail above Valley Green