Best Bike Trails, Bike Clubs & Bike Events in Raleigh [Don’t Miss For Bike Month!]

Every year in May, Raleigh shifts into a lower gear for Bike Month, a time when the city’s streets and greenways fill with the steady rhythm of two spinning wheels. Whether you’re a seasoned cycling enthusiast or you just fancy dusting off your old childhood BMX for a weekend, there are plenty of bike trails in Raleigh where you can take your spokes out for a spin.

Although Raleigh has miles of greenway trails that make it a great city to cycle in all year round, May is a particularly great month to cycle in. Throughout the course of the month, there is a calendar of group rides, workshops, and community events that celebrate cycling in all its forms.

It’s a chance to see the North Carolina capital from a different perspective — slower, greener and with the added benefit of getting a workout. So if you’re thinking about taking a bike out for a cruise under oak canopies or through the buzzing streets of a downtown, here are the best ways to do that…About the Greenway Trails in our region

Best bike trails in Raleigh

No matter where you live in the Triangle, there is a greenway path nearby allowing you to bike your way around neighborhoods and lakes, through parks, and across the city. Wake County has over 250 miles of completed greenway trails, including 28 individual greenway trails across more than 100 miles of paved paths in Raleigh’s Capital Area Greenway System. And because we have adventurous spirits and pedal power to go further, the Triangle region has hundreds of miles of greenway trails to explore as well. Of course, you can walk these too, but we’re focused on cycling through Bike Month!

Art to Heart Corridor

This popular urban-meets-nature bike route links some of Raleigh’s most iconic locations — starting at the North Carolina Museum of Art, riding through Meredith College, past NC State, and into downtown Raleigh (stopping wherever you like). This trail is especially popular with those looking for a scenic, urban experience that’s easily accessible and rich in visual interest. Its connections to other trails and landmarks make it a favorite for both locals and visitors. We think this city bike trail is a uniquely Raleigh experience and have done it a couple of times. Here is our full guide to the Art to Heart Trail.

• Length: ~6 miles (one way)
• Trail Time: 45 min–1.5 hours depending on stops
• Trail Highlights:
  • Connects the NC Museum of Art to Downtown Raleigh
  • Sculpture park, green spaces, and museums
  • Perfect for a cultural ride

Pro Tip: Stop and explore the outdoor art sculptures, grab a coffee at Lucky Tree on Hillsborough St and finish with lunch in Downtown Raleigh – maybe Wye Hill Kitchen & Brewery as it ends near there. and you’ll get great city views. Take your time — this one’s made for leisurely cruising.

Watch our video of the Art to Heart Trail:

White Oak Creek Greenway (Cary)

Located in Cary, the White Oak Creek Greenway is perfect for a relaxing ride. It’s a well-maintained, mostly flat trail that’s ideal for families or casual cyclist that goes from Bond Park to the American Tobacco Trail so feel free to extend that ride! We have biked it at the end of the American Tobacco Trail from the western end of the trail to Bond Park. I recommend that direction so you will be cycling down the few hills that the trail has.

• Length: 7.4 miles (one way)
• Trail Time: 1–2 hours
• Trail Highlights:
  • Tree-lined, shady stretches
  • Bridges over marshlands
  • Connection to the American Tobacco Trail

Hot Tip: Sitting right near the end of White Oak & the American Tobacco Trail, is the Cloer Family Vineyard in Apex, inviting you to enjoy a flight of locally made wine and a cheese board to celebrate the end of a great ride. We plan to do it! (Follow this tip for the next recommended bike trail as well!

William B. Umstead State Park Trails

Umstead State Park offers some of the best back-to-nature biking experiences in Raleigh — without even leaving the city. The multi-use bridle trails (open to bikers, hikers, and horseback riders) offer scenic gravel paths through dense forests, rolling hills, and alongside babbling creeks. You’ll feel like you’re hours away from town, even though you’re just off I-40. Know the trail you want to ride before you go as it’s a spread out park with two entrances in different areas giving access to trails. The Reedy Creek Entrance (Harrison Ave) in Cary right near the greenway and the Glenwood Ave Entrance is great for central access.

• Length: ~13 miles of multi-use bridle trails (out & back and loops)
• Trail Type: Gravel/dirt, wide and well-maintained
• Trail Time: 1–3 hours depending on route
• Trail Highlights:
  • Heavily wooded, peaceful, and wildlife-rich
  • Connects to Reedy Creek Greenway and Lake Crabtree trails
  • Moderate elevation changes for a satisfying ride

Popular bike loops in Umstead State Park

• Reedy Creek Trail to Graylyn Loop (~7.5 miles)  A favorite loop with some good elevation and scenic bridges.
• Sycamore to Turkey Creek Out & Back (~12–13 miles total)  Great for a longer weekend ride with less traffic. We enjoyed this bike ride!

Here is our guide to Umstead State Park. Lynwood Brewing on the Glenwood Ave side is good for a meal and beverage after your ride. and Raleigh Brewing is right near the Harrison Ave. They only serve drinks, but there are dining places in the complex.

American Tobacco Trail

The American Tobacco Trail is a crushed-stone and paved trail that follows an old railway line from downtown Durham into Chatham and Wake Counties. The southern Wake County section is popular for road bikers and casual riders alike — and you’ll ride through gorgeous pine forests and old farmland. Its length and connections to other regional trails make it a go-to for those seeking longer adventures or training rides, and the natural setting provides a peaceful escape from urban life.

• Length: 22+ miles (one way; 10–12 miles paved in the southern part)
• Trail Time: 2–4 hours
• Trail Highlights:
  • Shady old rail corridor
  • Wildlife sightings
  • Historic bridges and trailheads

Pro Tip: Start at New Hope Church Road trailhead for easy parking and a great middle-of-the-trail experience. We’re biked the Tobacco Trail this month. We caught the train from Cary into Durham with our bikes and cycled back along the American Tobacco Trail, stopping at Cloer and then cycling the White Oak greenway trail back to Cary. See more of our epic American Tobacco Trail adventure.

Walnut Creek Greenway Trail

The Walnut Creek Greenway is a scenic ride through some of Raleigh’s most varied terrain — from cityscapes to lush wetlands. It’s part of the larger Capital Area Greenway System and a connector between South Raleigh and the Neuse. We have biked this greenway trail from Lake Johnson to the city before and loved it (see video below). There are sections of it that are just magical as it follows the creek through the winding thick forest. We plan to do this one again soon and will use the bus to return to Lake Johnson to get our car.

• Length: ~15 miles (one way)
• Trail Time: 1.5–3 hours
• Trail Highlights:
  • Connects Lake Johnson to Neuse River Trail
  • Passes Dix Park, Dorothea Dix sunflower field, and Downtown South
  • Tons of wildlife and water views

Pro Tip: Add a loop around Lake Johnson or stop to enjoy the Dix Park sunflower field in full bloom (typically in July, but still a scenic ride in spring). We ended our ride through Pullen Park to enjoy coffee at Jubala on Hillsborough St and the Players Retreat for a hardy burger! Here are some other Hillsborough St Restaurants to consider.

Watch our video of the Walnut Creek Trail:

Reedy Creek Greenway

This lovely, shaded greenway links the North Carolina Museum of Art and Meredith College in West Raleigh to Umstead and is a great route for nature-loving bikers who want a quiet ride through the trees. We’ve hiked and cycled this several times. It’s a beautiful trail and easy to do, especially for families, but note there are a couple of hills near the museum. (It forms part of the Art to Heart Trail)

• Length: ~5 miles
• Trail Time: 30–60 minutes
• Trail Highlights:
  • Wooded trail with gentle hills
  • Connects NC Museum of Art, Reedy Creek Park, and Umstead State Park
  • Family and beginner-friendly

Crabtree Creek Greenway

This is a great urban trail if you want to feel like you’re getting into nature — without ever leaving Raleigh city limits. The Crabtree Creek Greenway stretches just over 19.5 miles along the Crabtree Creek corridor through forested greenways, city parks, residential areas, and some business areas. There are multiple sections of the trail in Morrisville, Cary, and Raleigh. In Raleigh it follows Crabtree Creek southeast from William B. Umstead State Park to the Neuse River Greenway Trail at Anderson Point Park.

At Lassiter Mill Park (3362 Lassiter Falls Cir, Raleigh) you can see the former site of Lassiter Mill Dam and the former site of a grist mill built in 1764. We’ve hiked a short section near Gateway Plaza in Mordecai to the Neuse River Greenway. The Gateaway Plaza is a good spot for a beverage at Mordecai Brewery after. And there are plenty of food places for a refuel after! (or before). We’ve also biked the short 4 mile return from Kiwanis Park to Lassiter Mill Park. It’s a beautiful bike ride and I loved seeing the small waterfall at the Lassiter Mill dam.A hidden gem inside the beltline!

• Length: ~19.5 miles (one way, multiple segments)
• Trail Time: 1.5–3 hours
• Trail Highlights:
  • Flows through neighborhoods, parks, and wetlands
  • Crosses under roads with minimal traffic interference
  • Connects to Crabtree Valley Mall, Shelley Lake, Lassiter Mill, the House Creek Trail, and Gateway Plaza

Lake Crabtree County Park (Mountain Biking too!)

Located near RDU Airport, Lake Crabtree County Park used to a mix of greenway and mountain biking trails, with a six-mile loop around the lake and over nine miles of singletrack loops perfect for mountain bikers. A lot has changed with Lake Crabtree County Park over the past year due to the RDU expansion and the loss of many trails. But, it is set to reopen with new mountain biking and hiking trails, known as Haley Branch this year. Will update this post once w

The park’s variety of trail types, lake views, and easy access from Cary and Raleigh make it a hub for outdoor activity, especially for mountain bikers and families. There are family-friendly greenways and dirt single track loops perfect for mountain bikers.

• Length: to be determined
• Trail Time: 45 min–2 hours
• Trail Highlights:
  • Paved & dirt trails
  • Lake views, picnic spots, and shaded wooded areas
  • Mountain biking loop for intermediate riders

Pro Tip: Be mindful of trail closures during/after rain — mountain biking trails are sensitive to damage and often closed for drying. Do an afternoon/evening ride and finish it with sunset – it’s one of the best sunset spots in Raleigh. Nearby coffee shops we love are Thousand Hills Coffee and (a little further) Fount Coffee & Kitchen (delicious food to refuel. Get their coffee cake – the perfect after-biking reward!)

Falls Lake Trails (Mountain Biking + Gravel)

Falls Lake isn’t just for paddleboards and fishing — it’s also a hidden gem for bikers looking for off-road adventures. Cycling routes showcase beautiful lake views, forested singletrack, and peaceful natural settings. Trails like the Beaver Dam MTB Loop, Rolling View, and Falls Lake fire roads offer great terrain for intermediate+ riders. The main biking area is the Beaverdam Access, which features several well-maintained loops, while advanced riders also enjoy the challenging New Light trails. Here is a resource sharing some of the different cycling routes you can take. 

• Length: Dozens of miles (multiple access points & loops)
• Trail Type: Gravel roads, dirt singletrack, and scenic roads
• Trail Highlights:
  • Stunning lakefront views
  • Great for gravel riders and mountain bikers
  • Wildlife, peaceful forests, and backcountry feel

Pro Tip: We plan to bike some trails at the lake and then visit the popular nearby Zinc House Winery after. They have a gorgeous venue and views with a wide range of wine, beer, and a bourbon bar as well as food trucks and live music. It’s for 21+

Neuse River Greenway Trail

The Neuse River Greenway is a dream for long-distance riders and nature lovers. This paved trail winds along the Neuse River from Falls Lake into Johnston County. We’ve cycled a section of it near Clayton on our burgers and brews ebike tour. This trail is a favorite for cyclists, runners, and families seeking long, uninterrupted stretches of nature with peaceful water views and even glimpses of herons and turtles.

Its connection to the Mountains-to-Sea Trail and the East Coast Greenway adds to its regional significance. You can easily do sections of this depending on where you want to go on the trail.

• Length: 27.5 miles (one way)
• Trail Time: 2–5+ hours depending on pace and stops
• Trail Highlights:
  • Scenic river views
  • Suspension bridge crossings
  • Boardwalks over wetlands
  • Connection to the Mountains-to-Sea Trail (MST)

HOT TIP: If you don’t want to do the full trail, start at Anderson Point Park or the Falls Lake Dam trailhead for shorter out-and-back rides. Head to Deep River Brewing after for a refreshing beer in their outdoor space!

Bike the Lake Trails

We’ve been leading you through some of Raleigh’s best greenway trails, but don’t turn away from Raleigh’s beautiful lakes, many that offer loop paved trails! They’re also much shorter, so perfect if you’re short on time or riding with children.

• Lake Johnson – forever a favorite is the almost 3 mile loop trail around the main section of the lake. There are a couple of hills here so turn those gears down .. or walk it.
• Lake Lynn – an easy 2.8 mile paved and mostly flat trail winding around the lake over boardwalks and past a wetland. I love it! Great for kids.
• Shelley Lake – an easy 2 mile paved trail with some boardwalks.
• Lake Raleigh – the Walnut Creek Greenway trail will pass bu here. Be sure to stop as its gorgeous. The other trails are for hiking only but the Lake Raleigh Woods also includes 2.2 miles of professionally built dedicated mountain-bike trails and a mountain-bike skills area. There is a container at Lake Raleigh – formerly the Bike Library, now the Greenway Gear Collective – opened on Open Saturday & Sunday, 9am-4pm. Sustaining Members enjoy complimentary access to bikes at the Container as a perk of membership. See more on that below.

Raleigh Bike Clubs & Groups

• Gyros Cycling Club: One of the Triangle’s top road cycling clubs, offering group rides at all skill levels — from beginners to racers — with a welcoming, social vibe and community-minded mission.
• North Carolina Bicycle Club (NCBC): A long-standing club focused on road cycling, safety, and education — perfect for riders who love scenic routes, advocacy, and practical perks like shop discounts and gear rentals.
• Oaks & Spokes: Raleigh’s leading bike advocacy group, known for its community rides, pop-up events, and mission to make the city more bike-friendly for everyone. They have almost a daily bike event for May Bike Month.
• Raleigh Community Kickstand: A volunteer-powered group offering free bike repairs and education to those facing housing insecurity — a great way to give back through your love of biking.
• Triangle Off-Road Cyclists (TORC): The go-to club for mountain biking in the Triangle, TORC builds trails, hosts rides and races, and welcomes all experience levels into its fun, off-road-loving community.
• Crank Arm Brewing Rides & Race Team: Where craft beer meets community cycling — join for casual social rides or competitive events, always capped off with a cold pint and good company. Here’s more about Crank Arm Brewing in Downtown Raleigh.
• Oak City Cycling: More than a bike shop, this inclusive, LGBTQ+ friendly space regularly hosts rides and gatherings, offering both expert support and a strong sense of the cycling community.
• The Greenway Gear Collective is a nonprofit dedicated to providing an inlet to the cycling community through Education, Community Building, and Bike Repair. he nonprofit for $9/month gets you access to the outdoor equipment and supports GGC’s educational programs – like Bike Academy! It provides workshops, classes, and resources to make a life on bikes more accessible, regular social bike rides and bike events, and bike repair at the Bike Library.
• New to Raleigh is Bike Library in the West End. It is a bike repair and bike repair and retail store all in one. Gond news is that their coffee is really good. It’s also a lap-top friendly coffee shop. At the moment they have three weekly social rides/ Tuesday: Espresso express | Weds Crank Arm joint ride | Fridays: Jubala

Bike month events in Raleigh

May is national bike month, and so you can expect plenty of bike-related events to be held throughout the month. Here are some of the most popular ones:

• Bike Bonanza: The annual kick-off event for Bike Month celebrations. It features a bike tune-up station, bike decorating station, free helmets and e-bike test rides, guided rides, and popsicles for the first 150 guests!
  • Friday, May 1st, 4:30 – 6:30 p.m.
  • Harvey Hill in Dorothea Dix Park

• The Annual Raleigh Historic Bike Ride: celebrating bike month and America’s 250th Birthday, this is a 5-mile bike ride that stops at five of Raleigh’s Historic Landmarks.
  • Saturday, May 2nd, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m
  • One Exchange Plaza
• Bike and Roll to School: an annual day dedicated to safe cycling to school.
  • Wednesday, May 6th
• Oaks and Spokes Bike Month Event: Oaks & Spokes will be hosting a community Bike Rodeo and Traffic Garden Event which will feature educational events for children, designed to build confidence on two wheels while also teaching important bike safety skills.
  • Wednesday, May 6th, 4 p.m. – 6 p.m.
  • John Chavis Memorial Park
• Bike to Work Day: Held annually on May 14th, this is an designated day where commuters are encouraged to cycle to work, with ‘pit stops’ set up across the city.
• Pedal to the Parks Challenge: designated parks in Raleigh have set up QR codes which you have to scan to complete the challenge. Participating parks are Shelley Lake Park, Lake Lynn Park, Anderson Point Park, Lake Johnson Park, and Walnut Creek Wetland Center

Quick tips for biking around Raleigh

• Wear a helmet – if you don’t need your head, you don’t need one!
• Use the Capital Greenway Explorer Interactive map for route planning and parking.
• Hydrate! Even in May, those humid Raleigh days sneak up on you.
• Bring a spare tube and mini pump — Greenways are amazing, but you might be far from a bike shop if you get a flat.
• Lights and Reflectors: North Carolina law requires front white lights and rear red reflectors at night.
• Trail Etiquette: Most trails are multi-use so be cautious, use your bell, and always call out “On your left!” when passing pedestrians or slower riders.
• Sunscreen + bug spray: Because Raleigh = nature + sunshine + the occasional bug buffet.
• Pack snacks (or a picnic) — enjoy rest spots and picnic areas along the way.
• Consider a plan for return: Cycling a 35-mile trail out and back may not be an option for many cyclists, so have a return plan. Perhaps use the train or bus, or ride with a friend, and park one car at the end and one at the beginning!
• Major trailheads are designed to be ADA accessible, featuring accessible restrooms, parking, water fountains, and signage
• Join an ebike tour with Triangle Adventures. We’ve done two so far and love them! You can cover more ground on an ebike, plus the tour involves storytelling, history, iconic sites, and some have food and beverage stops! Here are their current tours – tell them This is Raleigh sent you for a 10% discount.
• If you’re traveling, why not incorporating some bike riding, like we did on our recent trip to Charleston. Places just feel better when getting around on a bike!

Bike and see Raleigh in a whole new way!

Biking Raleigh’s greenways isn’t just about exercise — it’s about seeing the city from a fresh perspective. From riverbanks to bustling parks to wooded escapes, you’ll find so many reasons to fall in love with Raleigh all over again. So, grab your bike, pump those tires, and let’s ride into May with joy, adventure, and plenty of pedal-powered smiles.

Which of these bike trails and greenways do you think you’d like to ride in Raleigh, Wake County, or the Triangle? What do you plan on doing for Bike Month in Raleigh? Let us know in the comments.