The Palmetto Trail is an ambitious plan for a 425 miles (684 km) foot and mountain bike trail in South Carolina

South Carolina

South Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence...

 for recreational hiking and biking. Several of the sections are also equestrian trails. It will extend from the Oconee County mountains to the Intracoastal Waterway

Intracoastal Waterway

The Intracoastal Waterway is a 3,000-mile waterway along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts of the United States. Some lengths consist of natural inlets, salt-water rivers, bays, and sounds; others are artificial canals...

 in Charleston County

Charleston County, South Carolina

Charleston County is a county located in the U.S. state of South Carolina. According to a 2005 U.S. Census Bureau estimate, its population was 330,368. Its county seat is Charleston. It is the third-most populous county in the state . Charleston County was created in 1901 by an act of the South...

. It currently consists of eighteen segments totalling 235 miles (378 km). Maps and trail guides are available.

The trail is sponsored by the Palmetto Conservation Foundation in cooperation with the South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism. The trail has support from the South Carolina General Assembly

South Carolina General Assembly

The South Carolina General Assembly, also called the South Carolina Legislature, is the state legislature of the U.S. state of South Carolina. The legislature is bicameral and consists of the lower South Carolina House of Representatives and the upper South Carolina Senate. Altogether, the General...

. Actual trail construction has been aided by volunteer groups, land managers, Santee Cooper

Santee Cooper

Santee Cooper, also known officially from the 1930s as the South Carolina Public Service Authority, is South Carolina's state-owned electric and water utility that came into being during the New Deal as both a rural electrification and public works project that created two lakes and cleared large...

, the South Carolina National Guard

South Carolina National Guard

The South Carolina National Guard consists of the South Carolina Army National Guard and the South Carolina Air National Guard . American law specifically charges the National Guard with dual federal and state missions. In fact, the National Guard is the only United States military force empowered...

, and many others.

Mini-Trail Guide

• The Oconee Passage

This is a 3.2 miles (5.1 km) section of the trail in Oconee County. It descends about 1000 feet (304.8 m) from Oconee State Park

Oconee State Park

Oconee State Park is a state park located in the Blue Ridge Mountain region of South Carolina. This park has several recreational opportunities to choose from...

 to County Highway 95. It passes near Station Cove Falls. There is a hiker-only spur trail to the falls. At the terminus of the Oconee passage, there is a short spur trail to the Oconee Station State Historic Site

Oconee Station State Historic Site

Oconee Station was established in 1792 as a blockhouse on the South Carolina frontier. Troops were removed in 1799. The site also has the Williams Richards House, which was built in the early 19th century as residence and trading post...

. At Oconee State Park, campsites are available. Hikers can also connect to the Foothills Trail

Foothills Trail

The Foothills Trail is a foot trail in South and North Carolina for recreational hiking and backpacking. It extends from Table Rock State Park to Oconee State Park. It passes through the Andrew Pickens Ranger District of the Sumter National Forest, Ellicott Rock Wilderness, Whitewater Falls, and...

.

• Jocasse Gorges Passage

This is a 12.5 section of the trail. It begins at Table Rock State Park

Table Rock State Park (South Carolina)

Table Rock State Park is a park at the edge of the Blue Ridge Mountains in northern Pickens County, South Carolina. The park includes Pinnacle Mountain, the tallest mountain totally within the state.-Park Features:...

, goes west past the Wesleyan Camp, and extends in the Jocassee Gorges, which is owned by the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources

South Carolina Department of Natural Resources

The ' mission is to serve as the principal advocate for and steward of South Carolina’s natural resources. The agency does so with the following principles:...

. Campsites are available at Table Rock State Park.

• Poinsett Passage

This is 6.6 miles (10.6 km), moderate section of the trail that begins at Orchard Lake Campground in Polk County, North Carolina

Polk County, North Carolina

Polk County is a county located in the U.S. state of North Carolina. As of 2010, the population was 20,510. Its county seat is Columbus.-History:The county was formed in 1855 from parts of Henderson County and Rutherford County...

. It travels southeasterly back into Greenville County, South Carolina

Greenville County, South Carolina

- External Links :*...

. Then it goes through the Pointsett Watershed of the Greenville Water System. It ends at Vaughn's Gap where is continued by the Blue Wall Passage. The trail has about a 900 feet (274.3 m) net ascent from Orchard Lake to Rocky Spur, which is nearly 1 miles (1.6 km) from Vaughn's Gap. From Rocky Spur, the trail descends about 400 feet (121.9 m).

• Blue Wall Passage

This is a 14 miles (23 km), moderate section of the trail in Greenville

Greenville County, South Carolina

- External Links :*...

 and Spartanburg Counties. It goes through the South Carolina Nature Conservancy's Blue Wall Preserve. Then is goes through Landrum, South Carolina

Landrum, South Carolina

Landrum is a city in Spartanburg County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 2,376 at the 2010 census.It was founded in 1880 and incorporated in 1912...

. Finally, it goes into North Carolina

North Carolina

North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...

 and ends at the Foothills Equestrian Nature Center (F.E.N.C.E.). There is a campsite in the Blue Wall Preserve.

• Hub City Passage

When completed, the Hub City Connector will be a continuous 12 miles (19.3 km) pathway of greenways, bicycle lanes, and safe, signed sidewalks through the city of Spartanburg County. As of summer 2006, four sections of the connector are complete: School for the Deaf and Blind, Mary Black Rail Trail, Liberty Trail, and the University of South Carolina Upstate

University of South Carolina Upstate

The University of South Carolina Upstate is a public university located in Spartanburg, South Carolina, United States. Formerly known as the University of South Carolina Spartanburg, the school changed its name in the summer of 2004...

 Passage.

• Croft Passage

This is a 12.6 miles (20.3 km), easy to moderate section of the trail in Spartanburg County that goes through the Crost State Natural Area. The trail enters Croft at the Glenn Springs Passage trailhead and crosses the new 65 ft. Advance America Bridge over Fairforest Creek. Hikers and equestrians follow established trails to the east and north while mountain bikers follow roads to the west and north until all join at Henningston Road. The newly built trail from mile 8.5 to the northern trailhead is truly multi-use and follows ridges, crosses drainages, and hugs Kelsey Creek to the historic Cedar Springs area.

• Glenn Springs Passage

This is a 7 miles (11.3 km), easy to moderate section of the trail in Spartanburg County that goes from Croft State Park through the historic town of Glenn Springs, South Carolina

Glenn Springs, South Carolina

Glenn Springs is an unincorporated community in Spartanburg County, South Carolina, United States, located at a spring. The healing waters of the Glenn Springs were known around the country for over one hundred years. It was said that the waters would heal almost any illness. It is even said that...

, on continues south toward Union County, South Carolina.

• Blackstock Battlefield Passage

This is a 4 miles (6.4 km), moderate section of the trail that goes around the site of the Battle of Blackstock's Farm at the boundary of Union and Spartanburg counties. Portions of the trail go along the Tyger River. Campsites are available.

• Sumter Passage

This is a 14 miles (23 km), moderate section of the trail in the Enoree Ranger District of the Sumter National Forest in Newberry County. It goes from the Brickhouse Recreation Area on on Forest Service Road 358 off South Carolina Highway 66 to Forest Service Road 379 (Franklin Road) near South Carolina Highway 81. There is a primitive campsite about on Indian Creek around the midpoint of the section.

• Lynch's Woods Passage

This is a 3 miles (4.8 km), moderate section of the trail for hikers and equestrians. It was developed and is managed by the Newberry County Soil & Water Conservation District. The trail is a loop trail just outside of Newberry, South Carolina

Newberry, South Carolina

Newberry is a city in Newberry County, South Carolina, 43 miles west -northwest of Columbia. The charter was adopted in 1894. In 1890, 3,020 people lived in Newberry, South Carolina; in 1900, 4,607; in 1910, 5,028; and in 1940, 7,510. The population was 10,580 at the 2000 census. It is the county...

. Campsites and picnic sites are available. There are additional equestrian trails.

• Capital City Passage

This is a 7.5 miles (12.1 km), easy, urban section of the trail that goes from Riverfront Park in Columbia, South Carolina

Columbia, South Carolina

Columbia is the state capital and largest city in the U.S. state of South Carolina. The population was 129,272 according to the 2010 census. Columbia is the county seat of Richland County, but a portion of the city extends into neighboring Lexington County. The city is the center of a metropolitan...

 to Fort Jackson

Fort Jackson

Fort Jackson can refer to several places or things:*Fort Jackson , also called Fort Toulouse, a War of 1812 fort*Fort Jackson , a frontier trading post located near present-day Ione, Colorado...

. It passes by the South Carolina State Capitol and the Horseshoe of the University of South Carolina

University of South Carolina

The University of South Carolina is a public, co-educational research university located in Columbia, South Carolina, United States, with 7 surrounding satellite campuses. Its historic campus covers over in downtown Columbia not far from the South Carolina State House...

.

• Fort Jackson Passage

This is a 20 miles (32 km), moderate section of the trail that goes through Fort Jackson

Fort Jackson

Fort Jackson can refer to several places or things:*Fort Jackson , also called Fort Toulouse, a War of 1812 fort*Fort Jackson , a frontier trading post located near present-day Ione, Colorado...

 in Richland County, South Carolina

Richland County, South Carolina

Richland County is a county located in the U.S. state of South Carolina. The 2000 U.S. census recorded its population to be 320,677. In 2010, the U.S. Census Bureau recorded that its population had reached 384,504. It is the second most populous county in South Carolina, behind only Greenville...

. This is contiguous with the Capital City Passage. Much of the trail goes along the southern boundary of this basic training center.

• Wateree Passage

This is a 7.2 miles (12 km), easy to moderate section of the trail in Sumter County. The passage is one of the most diverse sections of the Palmetto Trail, traversing a variety of landscapes, from near mountainous terrain down to a magnificent river swamp. After two miles, the trail begins the ascent to the "High Hills of Santee," which is one of the highest elevations in Sumter County.

• High Hills of Santee Passage

This is a 14 miles (23 km), easy section of the trail in Sumter County. It goes through Poinsett State Park

Poinsett State Park

Poinsett State Park is located in Sumter County in the U.S. state of South Carolina. The park is best known for its botanical oddities, combining the flora of the Blue Ridge Mountains foothills and Piedmont of Upstate South Carolina, the xeric Sandhills and the Atlantic coastal plain. In Poinsett...

, Manchester State Forest, and Mill Creek County Park. In addition to hiking and mountain biking, this is also an equestrian

Equestrianism

Equestrianism more often known as riding, horseback riding or horse riding refers to the skill of riding, driving, or vaulting with horses...

 trail. It is contiguous with the Lake Marion Passage.

• Lake Marion Passage

This is a 25 miles (40 km), easy section of the trail in Sumter, Clarendon, and Orangeburg Counties. It goes along the north shore of Lake Marion

Lake Marion (South Carolina)

Lake Marion is the largest lake in South Carolina, centrally located and with territory within five counties. The lake is referred to as South Carolina's inland sea. It has a shoreline and covers nearly 110,000 acres of rolling farmlands, former marshes, and river valley landscape...

, crosses the lake on U.S. Route 301

U.S. Route 301

U.S. Route 301 is a spur of U.S. Route 1 running through the South Atlantic States. It currently runs 1,099 miles from Glasgow, Delaware at U.S. Route 40 to Sarasota, Florida. It passes through the states of Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida...

 and ends in Santee, South Carolina

Santee, South Carolina

Santee is a town in Orangeburg County along the Santee River Valley in central South Carolina of the United States. It has become a resort town of note located centrally north-south along the Atlantic Seaboard of South Carolina...

. It is contiguous with the Santee Passage.

• Santee Passage

This is an 11 miles (18 km), easy section of the trail in Orangeburg County. It starts in Santee, South Carolina

Santee, South Carolina

Santee is a town in Orangeburg County along the Santee River Valley in central South Carolina of the United States. It has become a resort town of note located centrally north-south along the Atlantic Seaboard of South Carolina...

, parallels the south shore of Lake Marion

Lake Marion (South Carolina)

Lake Marion is the largest lake in South Carolina, centrally located and with territory within five counties. The lake is referred to as South Carolina's inland sea. It has a shoreline and covers nearly 110,000 acres of rolling farmlands, former marshes, and river valley landscape...

, and ends in Eutawville

Eutawville, South Carolina

Eutawville is a town in Orangeburg County, South Carolina, United States. Prior to 1910 it was located in the northwest portion of Saint James Goose Creek Township, Berkeley County...

 in Orangeburg County.

• Eutaw Springs Passage

This is a 19.2 miles (30.9 km), easy section of the trail that starts in Eutawville

Eutawville, South Carolina

Eutawville is a town in Orangeburg County, South Carolina, United States. Prior to 1910 it was located in the northwest portion of Saint James Goose Creek Township, Berkeley County...

 in Orangeburg County, and ends on the south side of the Division Canal between Lake Marion and Lake Moultrie at South Carolina Route 45 in Berkeley County

Berkeley County, South Carolina

Berkeley County is a county in the U.S. state of South Carolina. In 2000, its population was 142,651. The 2005 Census Bureau estimate placed the population at 151,673. Its county seat is Moncks Corner....

. There is a campsite east of Eutawville.

• Lake Moultrie Passage

This is a 24 miles (39 km), easy section of the trail that goes around the top half of Lake Moultrie

Lake Moultrie

Lake Moultrie is the third largest lake in South Carolina covering over .-Location:Lake Moultrie is located in Berkeley County, South Carolina, is fed by Lake Marion through a diversion canal. Nearby towns include Moncks Corner, Bonneau and St. Stephen....

 in Berkeley County

Berkeley County, South Carolina

Berkeley County is a county in the U.S. state of South Carolina. In 2000, its population was 142,651. The 2005 Census Bureau estimate placed the population at 151,673. Its county seat is Moncks Corner....

. It begins on the north side of the Diversion Canal and ends at the Canal Recreation Area. It has several primitive campsites.

• Swamp Fox Passage

This is a 42 miles (68 km), easy section of the trail that starts at the Canal Recreation Area north of Moncks Corner

Moncks Corner, South Carolina

Moncks Corner is a town in and the county seat of Berkeley County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 5,952 at the 2000 census....

 in Berkeley County

Berkeley County, South Carolina

Berkeley County is a county in the U.S. state of South Carolina. In 2000, its population was 142,651. The 2005 Census Bureau estimate placed the population at 151,673. Its county seat is Moncks Corner....

. It goes through the Francis Marion National Forest

Francis Marion National Forest

The Francis Marion National Forest is located north of Charleston, South Carolina. It is named for revolutionary war hero Francis Marion, who was known to the British as the Swamp Fox. It lies entirely within the Middle Atlantic coastal forests ecoregion....

 and ends at Awendaw

Awendaw, South Carolina

Awendaw is a small fishing town in Charleston County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 1,195 at the 2000 census. As defined by the U.S. Office of Management and Budget, and used by the U.S...

 in Charleston County

Charleston County, South Carolina

Charleston County is a county located in the U.S. state of South Carolina. According to a 2005 U.S. Census Bureau estimate, its population was 330,368. Its county seat is Charleston. It is the third-most populous county in the state . Charleston County was created in 1901 by an act of the South...

. It incorporates most of the former Swamp Fox National Recreational Trail. There are primitive campsites along the trail.

• Awendaw Passage

This is a 7 miles (11 km), easy section of the trail in Charleston County

Charleston County, South Carolina

Charleston County is a county located in the U.S. state of South Carolina. According to a 2005 U.S. Census Bureau estimate, its population was 330,368. Its county seat is Charleston. It is the third-most populous county in the state . Charleston County was created in 1901 by an act of the South...

 that starts near Awendaw

Awendaw, South Carolina

Awendaw is a small fishing town in Charleston County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 1,195 at the 2000 census. As defined by the U.S. Office of Management and Budget, and used by the U.S...

 and ends at Buck Hall Recreation Area on U.S. Route 17

U.S. Route 17

U.S. Route 17 or U.S. Highway 17 is a north–south United States highway. The highway spans the southeastern United States and is close to the Atlantic Coast for much of its length. The highway's southern terminus is at Punta Gorda, Florida, at an intersection with U.S. Route 41...

 at the Intracoastal Waterway

Intracoastal Waterway

The Intracoastal Waterway is a 3,000-mile waterway along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts of the United States. Some lengths consist of natural inlets, salt-water rivers, bays, and sounds; others are artificial canals...

. Campsites are available at the terminus.