Skyhawk 172/Cutlass 172
Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Private
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 33; Flight Crew Total 380; Flight Crew Type 194
Situational Awareness
Conflict NMAC; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance
Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Human Factors; Airspace Structure
I was on my return leg of a cross-country flight for my Commercial Pilot training. Approximately 15 NM NE of ZZZ; at 10;500 MSL; I was released from flight following by Approach and contacted Tower for landing clearance. I was proceeding direct to ZZZZZ intersection. Shortly after crossing ZZZZZ; I was instructed by Tower to turn 'toward the fairgrounds' which put me on a heading of approximately 150 degrees and kept me about 1-2 NM outside the ZZZ airspace. As I was descending through 6;900 MSL for 6;000 MSL; pattern altitude; a glider made a climbing right turn directly across my nose. I estimate our distance was 300-500 feet horizontal. Although I was aware of the glider port in that area; I did not see the glider below me until he turned across my nose. I immediately climbed and turned away from the glider and notified Tower of the glider activity. Shortly afterward; I was turned back toward the airport for landing. When I made the turn; I saw another glider; total of 2; soaring in the area between approximately 1;500-3;000 AGL. I continued to land without issue.I believe there were several contributing factors to the event. Complacency - I have flown in the same airspace for about a year and have never encountered gliders in that area and it led me to be less diligent. Approach/Tower was not aware of the glider activity and therefore did not issue any advisories; also leading to a false sense of security. The glider was climbing and has a small cross-section unless it has a wing up/down towards you. This made it difficult to discern from other ground clutter. The glider base is located just outside the Class-D airspace which increases the possibility of encountering gliders while maneuvering/holding outside the airspace.The only way to prevent a recurrence is for aircraft operating in the vicinity of ZZZ to be more aware of possible glider activity. Since gliders are not required to have radios/transponders in this area; the only way for ATC to provide advisories is for other aircraft to report the glider activity so warnings can be given to other aircraft. Personally; I will be much more aware of glider activity in that area and will work with ATC if a vector will put me in the area of a glider port; regardless of if it appears active or not.
C172 pilot reported having an NMAC with a glider while descending to land.