The Palmetto Trail is really not
one trail at all; it is a network of them, stitched together from the trail
systems and roads that criss-cross the state. The nearly-continuous passageway
stretches from Oconee State Park in the Upstate Foothills, to its low-country
terminus at Awendaw and Buck Hall on the Intracoastal Waterway. Established in
1994, it is South Carolina’s longest pedestrian & bicycle trail. Today 350
of the proposed 500 miles of trail have been completed!
By offering 26 passages ranging
from 1.3 to 47 miles, with easy, moderate, and strenuous levels of difficulty, the
Palmetto Trail is accessible for day trips, weekend excursions, and longer
treks. The entire Palmetto Trail is open to hiking and backpacking, but
designated sections are available for biking, horseback riding and camping. Whether
thru-hiking, or just out for a stroll, the trail explores the rich diversity
and fascinating history, culture, and geography of the Palmetto State.
The goals of the Palmetto Trail
(according to the Palmetto Trail Conservancy) are to:
- Showcase
conservation and preservation from mountains to sea
- Provide
free public access to active, healthy outdoor recreation
- Foster
tourism, business, and economic development
THE PASSAGES (from NW to SE)
Stumphouse Passage: 1.5 mile
hiking trail and 9.34 mile mountain bike park
The Stumphouse Mountain Passage is the
newest addition to the Palmetto Trail. It begins in Sumter National Forest at
the Stumphouse Tunnel Park in Oconee County’s Walhalla. Stumphouse Mountain
Tunnel is an incomplete railroad tunnel for the Blue Ridge Railroad of South
Carolina, listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1971. The park
is also home to Issaqueena Falls. Ross
Mountain: 5.0 miles
The newest passage to be completed along the Palmetto Trail, this
passage connects the Stumphouse Passage to Oconee State Park.Oconee Passage: 3.2 miles
This Passage begins in Oconee
State Park and ends at Oconee Station State Historical Site, a backcountry
military garrison and trading post from the 1790s. Make sure to visit Station Cove Falls on the way! Intersections with the Foothills
Trail and Tamassee Knob Trail allow easy access to Hidden Falls and Tamassee
Knob in Oconee State Park.
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A ¼ mile spur trail from the Oconee Passage leads to Station Cove Falls
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Eastatoe Passage: 4.6 miles
Starting in Keowee Toxaway State
Park on Natural Bridge Trail, this Passage travels along Eastatoe Creek
upstream from Lake Keowee and climbs through mountain forest in the acclaimed
Jocassee Gorges with its abundance of flowers, birds and wildlife. Two
new bridges including the Zeke wilderness trail bridge were recently opened to
the public and are destinations in themselves!
Blue Ridge Electric Co-Op Passage
(Jocassee Gorges): 12.3 miles
This section of the Palmetto
Trail offers a view of the remote and rugged Jocassee Gorges area, with it abundance
of wildflowers and wildlife, mountaintop vistas, and waterfalls. The Passage
starts in Table Rock State Park, which boasts stunning trails such as the
Pinnacle Mountain, Carrick Creek and Table Rock Trails. The Foothills Trail can
also be accessed from the Park.
Roundtop Mountain: 5.9 miles
Connecting the Blue Ridge
Electric Co-Op Passage to the Foothills Trail and Sassafras Mountain, this
section creates opportunities for circular hikes in the Jocassee Gorges
wilderness in Pickens County.
Middle Saluda Passage: 10.9 miles
With its waterfalls and
challenging elevation, this passage connects about 14 miles of existing trails
in the Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area of Jones Gap and Caesars Head State Parks.
Highlights include Hospital Rock, Rainbow Falls, and 420-foot Raven Cliff Falls. Camp in Jones Gap State Park, or continue beyond Hospital Rock to Falls Creek Falls for an added 2½ miles. (For more on Jones Gap Falls: click here)'
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| Rainbow Falls, as seen from spur trail |
Saluda Mountains Passage: 9.1
miles
The Saluda Mountains Passage runs
along the ridge dividing the Carolinas, with the Poinsett Watershed to the
south. The 19,000-acre watershed is a pristine wilderness area providing
habitat for multiple rare plants and animals, including the threatened
Peregrine falcon.
Poinsett Reservoir Passage: 6.6
miles
Poinsett Reservoir Passage
travels the mountain ridges along the northern boundary of Poinsett Watershed.
This pristine watershed of 19,000 acres contains the headwaters feeding
Poinsett Reservoir of the Greenville Water System.
Blue Wall Passage: 14 miles
The Blue Wall Passage is home to
a wide array of wildlife, stunning scenery including a 30-foot cascading
waterfall, and 100+ species of birds. The eastern trailhead is located in the
Foothills Equestrian Nature Center (FENCE), and country roads and sidewalks wind
through Landrum and around lovely Lake Lanier before entering the Blue Wall Preserve and climbing the Southern Blue
Ridge Escarpment to Vaughns Gap.
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| View of Hogback Mountain from Blue Wall Passage |
Peach Country Passage: 14.1 miles
The numerous peach orchards of
the region are spectacular when blooming, which is why cycling the Peach
Country Passage along the back roads from Inman to Landrum brings such joy in
the spring. The passage traverses mostly lightly traveled gravel roads, except
for a quarter mile on the Cherokee Foothills Scenic Highway (SC Hwy 11) near
Campobello.
USC Upstate Passage: 1.3 miles
This short passage begins on the
campus of the University of South Carolina Upstate campus in Spartanburg, SC,
and descends through the woods to Lawson’s Fork Creek.
Hub City Connector: 12 miles
The Connector includes sections
of greenways, bicycle lanes, and safe, signed sidewalks through the city of
Spartanburg, traveling along the Mary Black Foundation Rail Trail and through
Liberty Garden, and connecting the School for the Deaf and Blind, with
downtown, Converse College, Wofford College, Spartanburg Regional Heart Center,
Spartanburg Medical Center, and USC Upstate. Trail spurs include Chinquapin
Greenway, a 1.6-mile trail spur located at the city’s northern gateway.
Croft Passage: 12.6 miles
In the 1700s, the area that today
is part of Croft State Park was a hotbed of mills, trading, and political
activity centered around the shoals. There was a Revolutionary militia victory
at the First Battle of Cedar Springs in 1780, and during World War II it served
as an Army training center.
Glenn Springs Passage: 7 miles
Rolling farmlands, mature
forests, and the historic town of Glenn Springs highlight the Glenn Springs Passage. In the 19th century, Glenn Springs was known for the health
benefits of its mineral waters. Now listed in the National Register, the
historic district includes 20 historic buildings from about 1840 to 1940 and
the site of a popular resort hotel.
Blackstock Battlefield Passage: 4
miles
Enjoy four miles of nature
trails, camping, and mountain biking along the Tyger River at the site where Revolutionary War patriots defeated the British; on November 20, 1780, patriot
militia fighting under Gen. Thomas Sumter prevailed over British regulars under
Lt. Col. Banastre Tarleton. Two months later Tarleton lost the Battle of Cowpens and fled north with his remaining troops.
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| Life on the Enoree |
Enoree Passage: 36 miles
Hike or bike the 36 miles of
trail through Sumter National Forest linking Newberry, Laurens and Union
counties. The trail meanders through the diverse habitats located in the Enoree
Ranger District and River corridor, while Macedonia, Sedalia, and John’s Creek
lakes provide plenty of opportunities to fish on the way to the northern
trailhead at Sedalia Campground.
Lynch’s
Woods Passage: 4.9 miles
This Park is a well-kept secret just outside of Newberry. Created by the 1930s
Civilian Conservation Corps, the park protects 276 acres of woodlands full of
old-growth hardwoods and the rambling Rock Branch Creek and tributaries, and allows
hiking, cycling and horseback riding.
Newberry Passage: 11 miles
The Newberry Passage is one of
three urban passages on the trail, taking you through the heart of Historic Downtown
Newberry and showcasing a number of historical and cultural points of interest.
Peak to Prosperity Passage: 10.8
miles
The highlight of this section of
trail is the impressive 1,100-foot-long Broad River trestle. From there the
former railway follows Crims Creek west through the Dutch Fork area to Pomaria and Interstate 26. Read more about this Passage here.
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| Crossing the trestle bridge over the Broad River between Peak and Prosperity |
Capital City Passage: 10.2 miles
The first urban passage on the
Palmetto Trail features South Carolina’s largest city and seat of state
government. The passage follows city sidewalks through Columbia’s neighborhoods,
past city parks and schools, along the historic Horseshoe at the University of
South Carolina, and across the steps of the State Capitol. The passage links
Fort Jackson Passage to Riverfront Park and the Broad River.
Fort Jackson Passage: 16.2 miles
Fort Jackson Passage takes you
through the heart and into the woods of this military facility located just east
of Columbia, SC. Fort Jackson was established in 1917 in preparation for WWI, named
in honor of Major General Andrew Jackson. At 52,000 acres, it’s the Army’s
largest basic training center.
Wateree Passage: 11.4 miles
One of the most diverse sections of
the Palmetto, this portion of the trail crosses swamps and hills on its way
from Poinsett State Park then through the SCE&G property to Hwy 601.
Passing through a section of Manchester State Forest traveling along the
remnants of the old SC Railroad through Sumter Junction, it crosses over the
Wateree River and Molly’s Bluff - elevation 260 feet – with excellent views
across Wateree swamp.
High Hills of Santee Passage: 9.4
miles
Named for the high, sandy ridges
that are part of the Sandhills geographical region, these rolling hills are the
remains of an ancient ocean shoreline found in the Carolinas and Georgia. Over
time, the beach sand and shells transformed into coquina, which can be seen
today throughout the park. In the 1930s, the Civilian Conservation Corps used
the native stone to build many structures in the park. Birdwatching includes
the endangered red-cockaded woodpecker.
Lake Marion Passage: 33.6 miles
This passage skirts along the north
side of Lake Marion between Santee and Mill Creek County Park. A short side
trip down Fort Watson Road leads to the site of ancient Santee Indian burial
mounds (3,500 years old); the site is now part of Santee National Wildlife
Refuge.
Santee Passage: 12.7 miles
This passage utilizes the dirt
roads and rural highways of Orangeburg County, traveling through farmlands to
the town of Santee.
Eutaw Springs Passage: 21.3 miles
From the site of the Revolutionary
War Battle of Eutaw Springs to downtown Eutawville, with a 5-mile spur trail
that connects to Santee-Cooper Wildlife Management Refuge and Lake Marion.
Lake Moultrie Passage: 26.9 miles
Hugging the eastern and northern
shores of 60,000-acre Lake Moultrie, the views make this a popular passage for mountain
bikers. Following levees and service roads, the trail crosses the Santee Canal
and traverses the swamps around Bulltown Bay.
Swamp Fox Passage: 47.2 miles
This passage named for Revolutionary
War hero Francis Marion is the Palmetto Trail’s longest. From the swamps of Francis
Marion National Forest, to long-leaf pine forests that are home to the
endangered red-cockaded woodpecker, from the grassy savannas near Dog Swamp and
Turkey Creek, to Wadboo Swamp; three trailheads provide users with plenty of
options! Just make sure to bring plenty of water, as there is only one water
source on the Swamp Fox Passage at the Ranger Station off Steed Creek Road.
Awendaw Passage: 7.1 miles
The coastal terminus of the
mountains-to-sea Palmetto Trail, the Trail’s namesake trees greet users at the
Buck Hall Recreation Area trailhead. Starting at the Intracoastal Waterway, the
Trail meanders westward through maritime forest and offers sweeping vistas of
Lowcountry salt marsh along Awendaw Creek. At Walnut Grove, look for a scenic overlook
and boardwalk. A canoe launch for Awendaw Creek is located at the end of Rosa
Green Road.
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One way to see the trail is
during the Annual Palmetto Trail Challenge. Each year, Palmetto Conservation
Foundation hosts The Palmetto Challenge to inspire teams of two, three, or four
to hike or bike as many miles as possible between March 9 and April 26; more
information can be found here.
If you want to see the state - really
get out there and experience what South Carolina has to offer - the Palmetto
Trail is the way to go! As Palmetto Conservation puts it: “Backcountry.
Rails-to-Trail. Greenways. City sidewalks. Urban bikeways. Steps of the State
Capitol. Bridle. (The trail) connects state and county parks, national forests,
nature preserves, wildlife management areas, Revolutionary War battlefields,
Native American paths, urban to rural, swamps to mountains, maritime to
sandhills to piedmont, and much more…"
Well, what are you waiting for? You've got 350 miles to go!!!