Hector H. Henry II Greenway (The Mills At Rocky River) - Concord, North Carolina

Brad M.

There's a lot to like. Parking is easy. It is pretty and you'll feel like you're in the forest so long as you look toward the river. It is slightly more challenging than Reedy Creek, but so long as you have legs and eyes that you can rely on, you'll be okay. We're lucky to have so many places to walk/hike nearby.

There are some things to be aware of. No restrooms on the route, so use one beforehand or live on the edge with the plastic box at the edge of the parking lot. There is a waste scent in the air in a lot of spots on the 2.7 mile trip, so none of it smells like roses. It looks on the map like it is along the river most of the way, but you can see the river only in a few spots. If you look away from the river, you'll see more of the lovely "Russian housing" that the Charlotte area is becoming famous for, silt fences, trash, runoff pipes, etc.

Worth the trip, but a shame developers are so greedy. With a few more feet of open space across from the river, you could feel like you were in the middle of nowhere.

11/5/24 update: We've tried to go here a few times in the last month or two but there are vagrants who are apparently living there now. I can't find a way to contact the parks group to let them know, but beware for your safety and your valuables if you park here. We opted to leave and hit Reedy Creek instead.

Steven D.

This was a great hike. It was a quite little trail with moderate to easy difficulty. It would be one you can ride your bike on the trail. From where we set in it was about 1/2 mile to some old remains for what I assume is a an old water wheel gist mill? Just a hunch as the roads near buy have those names.

Kaiden L.

My favorite trail in the area! Has a lot of invasive Japanese stiltweed along the path and the paths turn to mud in places. There's a really awesome deck nearby the river and I really like the different bridges over small creeks throughout the trail. It's mostly shaded which is a plus. Lots of dragonflies and cicadas right now!

Elena M.

It's a nice trail along the Rocky River. There are few bridges on the road. You can choose a main road or the path that goes close to the river. There's a wooden platform with a bench. You can walk a dog or just enjoy walking.

Philip C.

This is well marked trail which is mostly wooded and travels along the Rocky River for about 2 miles. It will be good for hiking and running. I enjoyed running the length of the trail in the trees' shade and watched the river come in and out of my view as I meandered across the hillsides.

Parking is available at a gravel lot off Drake Mill Ln SW. Take care not to park in spaces reserved for emergency responders. There is a portable toilet and garbage bins in the lot.

The path is mostly dirt, clay, rock and root. It is marked approximately every 1/8 mile with a 911 emergency marker with a unique number for your location (much like on other Concord Greenways). Some trees are also marked with the Carolina Thread Trail compass. About 1.5 miles from the lot it turns into gravel. It appears to me that after a heavy rain or wet period the trail will become slippery and muddy where it isn't paved with gravel, otherwise it was in good condition after a dry week.

The path width is approximately double track for the entire course. There is a section between markers 8 and 11 which narrows and becomes single track.

Justin B.

Really nice Greenway experience. Scenic woods with a view of Rocky River for sections of the path. About 9 km round trip from the parking lot. There are a few sections that are rocky but most of the path is packed dirt with the occasional root or branch to keep an eye out for. Some slight hills but nothing too steep or long. Would recommend for a walk, hike, or run.

Nick G.

This greenway is a dirt path, not a normal paved greenway, but a very beautiful hike, it's 2.5 miles out one way.

David C.

Great trail well maintained,gets a little rocky in some spots but not bad