Explore the best rated trails in Aiken, SC, whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Cathedral Aisle Trail and Ninety Six Town Trail . With more than 17 trails covering 85 miles you're bound to find a perfect trail for you. Click on any trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
It is not connected to the other side of the river. Live and learn, I will start further down the trail on the west side of the river next time.
Rucked it up and back yesterday, full trail. Super clean, easy trail. No incline. Minimal views, good for getting in your miles. Rocks were a pain in the a**. Definitely need some trail friendly shoes. Feet got beat up pretty good. Some campsites along small streams. 6/10. Good for getting time on feet. Won’t be back except for straight forward mileage. Bikes would be solid for stacking miles on a simple trail.
I regularly ride the Trail for training. Once you clear the walkers at the trailheads you can complete efforts with no stops. Several sections have big, loose rock so you’ll want to let some air out.
Wanted to provide a more recent review. Rode most of the trail yesterday with my wife. It is well marked, well maintained and beautiful ride. The path is hard pack - not concrete or black top so it is not super smooth. There are several things to see and placards to read that explain the features of the old railroad. Also a cemetery from the 1700s and a fun tressel towards the end. The only negatives were that my wife thought there were too many roots. There are roots and I rode a mountain bike so I didn’t really notice them as ‘bad”. Also there is about a 2.5 mile section you have to ride on the road in the middle. It is a country road and traffic was lite and the cars were respectful of us and rode slowly around us. There were benches and picnic tables along the route if you wanted to stop and just sit for a while. We only saw 2 other people walking their dogs. It was a fun trail for novice riders not looking for single track. Enjoy -
I enjoy walking and jogging this trail. It’s a great way to get a quick workout into your day.
Did the whole thing yesterday (and of course back). It’s in great shape. Some rocky stretches that is akin to riding in a gravel road. But those are infrequent and temporary. A couple dead spots in a couple trellises but a very nice ride and other than the first terrain after leaving the eastern parking it’s flat.
Gave it 4 stars for being fairly well maintained and off the road in areas. This is a 4-6’ wide asphalt path combined with sidewalks on a fairly busy road. Yes it is safer than riding / running on side of road, but you still have to clear every intersection / business parking lots 3-4 ways before crossing….and there are a lot. If you want a scenic trail, this is not it. If you want a safe pathway to Savannah River Locks from Evans, this is a good alternative.
If you are lucky enough to regularly ride a horse, you are indeed a lucky person. If you are a horse person and have an opportunity to ride in Hitchcock Woods then you are a rarified rider for sure. The beauty, peace, depth and rare expanse of Hitchcock Woods is a place that defies description. Whether you walk/run or ride the trails of Hitchcock Woods I doubt you will find many places that will surpass its beauty. Trails by the names such as Devils backbone, Cathedral Aisle, Swampy Cut loop, Mrs. Allen’s ride and Lovers Lane in itself will entice any adventurer to step into this fairytale forest. You won’t be disappointed. Hitchcock woods is a rare gem, a preserved urban forest thanks to the Hitchcock families’ fore-site to maintain an equestrian ‘play ground’ for future generations.
9/12/22 -- Downed trees are now taken care of.
Parts of it were very pretty, and overall pretty well maintained (but with a fair amount of roots in some areas). But about 1/3 of the 9 miles were on roads with no shoulder. Not busy roads, but not what we expected of a “rail trail”. Also a lot of spiderwebs on the trail.
Great trail. Listed as closed, figured that we would just be out the drive if it was closed. Could never figure out why it is listed that way. It is beautiful and well maintained.
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