Black Mountain Greenway Challenge

The Black Mountain Greenways Commission and Pisgah Brewing invite you to the 10th Annual Greenway Challenge 5k/10k race. This race starts and finishes at Pisgah Brewing in Black Mountain, NC. All proceeds from this race will benefit The Black Mountain Greenway Commission. The Commission is leading the way to more and more Greenways around Black Mountain. Please come join us for a great run and EARN your Pisgah Brew and your own Pisgah pint glass at the FINISH.

Both the 5K and 10K start and finish at Pisgah Brewery. Start time is 2:00 PM. The course circles Lake Tomahawk with a stunning view of the Seven Sisters Mountain Range and winds through the beautiful North Fork valley. The course ends after circling through the picturesque campus of the Black Mountain Neuro-Medical Treatment Center.

Please do check out the DONATE tab above..... we welcome your support.

Why We Run

"We hope you will join us this year to support the efforts of the Black Mountain Greenways Commission and the Town of Black Mountain to create safe, beautiful paths and byways through our community. Greenways provide important outlets for fitness, recreation, education and preservation of our town’s land resources. Greenways are for everyone! They provide opportunities for families enjoying time together outdoors, persons using wheelchairs, students learning about nature, even top athletes preparing for an important race.

Check out the Black Mountain Greenway Commission page for more info and map of our commmunity greenways.

Countdown to START of 5/10k

Community Garden Trail

The Community Garden Trail is located in Black Mountain Veterans Park and loops around the Dr. John Wilson Community Garden and the back half of the disc golf course. This trail provides a save and easy connection between the communities North and South of Interstate 40. 

The trail is approximately .5 miles in length and incorporates an inner loop to meet ADA requirements. This paved trail uses a pedestrian bridge to connect to the River Loop Trail and The Oaks Trail in the south half of Black Mountain Veterans Park. The trail is shaded by a wide variety of trees, including over 100 fruit and nut trees and shrubs. It is also bordered by a Monarch meadow, and has interpretive and educational signage all along the trail. 

Lake Tomahawk Loop Trail

Lake Tomahawk Loop is the frequently used .55 mile loop around Lake Tomahawk. Easier on the joints than pavement, the crushed granite trail is not open for bicycle traffic, but strollers and wheelchairs can navigate with ease. This trail has been around the longest, and passes a playground, assorted gardens, a picnic pavilion, benches and picnic areas, tennis courts, and the Lakeview Community Center. The South end of the loop crosses the dam, built by the WPA during the New Deal in 1933-35, and boasts a great view of the Seven Sisters mountain range.

The Lake Tomahawk Loop Trail serves as the sweet end of the Greenway Challenge 10K lolipop course. The Valentine 5K Starts at the Park and Finishes with a loop around the trail [Feb 11, 2017]. It's also the final half mile of the Mount Mitchell Challenge and Black Mountain Marathon held annually on the last Saturday in February. 

Oak Trail

The Oaks Trail connects Black Mountain Veterans Park to the sidewalk network and downtown Black Mountain. This paved trail is approximately .5 miles in length, crossing the Swannanoa River at the West end and bordering the South edge of "In the Oaks", now the Black Mountain Campus of Montreat College. The trail moves along through a shady pine forest and includes hill with a steep grade. Plans for this greenway's future include continuing on to eventually connect with the Riverwalk Trail. 

Flat Creek Trail

The Flat Creek Trail is approximately .5 miles long with the trailhead located behind the Primary School and traveling North until it connects to Cotton Avenue. The first section of the Flat Creek Trail is dedicated in honor of Emilee Russell. Emilee's Way honors a child from Black Mountain who died as a result of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, and was a frequent user of the Flat Creek Trail. 

The Flat Creek Trail is paved, level, and includes interpretive signage about streambank restoration. Plans for the Flat Creek Trail include the hope that it will continue North and connect to the Montreat Gate, at the north boundary of Black Mountain.

Riverwalk Trail

The Riverwalk Trail is currently about .5 miles and unpaved, and includes a loop around a rain garden and runs next to a dog park behind Bi-Lo Shopping Center. The vision for this trail is that it will eventually be the middle connection between The Oaks Trail and The Flat Creek Trail, providing safe travel without needing to travel on the roads