West Ashley Bikeway:
South Carolina
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Description:
Running arrow-straight from the Ashley River west to a wholesale produce stand on Wappoo Road, the West Ashley Bikeway links several suburban Charleston neighborhoods, providing a 2.5-mile cycling and walking path.

Initial plans called for an entirely different corridor. After the Seaboard Coastline Railroad abandoned the line in 1976, the state wanted to build an expressway along the route. When that plan fell through, the city of Charleston negotiated to lease the corridor from the state for $1 a year and completed the trail in 1983.

While the route rolls along largely unobstructed, it is sparsely maintained and marred by one particularly hazardous intersection. Leaving the riverfront, pedestrians must negotiate busy, four-lane St. Andrews Boulevard without benefit of a light or crosswalk. Use extreme caution when crossing.

You can continue your journey on the nearby West Ashley Greenway. Cross over US 17/Savannah Highway on Wappoo Road and pick up the the West Ashley Greenway, heading both east and west from the access point.

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Parking & Trail Access:
To reach the western trailhead from downtown Charleston, drive west on US 17 and cross the Ashley River. Turn right onto Wappoo Road and the trailhead sign is on the right immediately after the turn.

To reach the eastern trailhead from downtown Charleston, drive west on US 17 and cross the Ashley River. Turn right onto SC 61/SC 171. Shortly before SC 61 and SC 171 split, there is a trailhead sign on the left.

Contact:
Charleston Department of Parks
30 Mary Murray Drive
Charleston, SC 29403
843-724-7321

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Reviews: [4 trail ratings]
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Not too bad from SC-61 (St. Andrews to the end
By reynaldo in November, 2010
Continuation and update on review: garbage cans, benches, and gas line poles that are well-painted and maintained, are well distributed from the end of the bikeway to just about 1500 feet, near the parking area at the foot of the bikeway. There are no restrooms, so one has to be creative when eliminating. The trail is in a seedy area, so one must be careful, not drive alone, and not drive at night without good lighting and audio equipment.

I heard there was going to be a pier at the end, which would be magnificent. I heard of this back in 2008, but have not heard anything since: money problems?
Very Disappointed
By cmlewallen1 in September, 2010
My husband and I rode this path last weekend and was very disappointed. We have recently ridden several other Rails to Trails paths and have nothing but praise and great reviews for them, but this one........well, it was very disappinting and actually dangerous. The few (maybe 4 people) on this path did not seem to be there for the enjoyment or the beauty, but for maybe hiding for illegal activities? We were approached by 3-4 teens that wanted to "buy our bikes?" I was afraid that they would actually "take" our bikes.

The path itself was in poor repair and severly neglected. The asphalt was all broken, covered over with bushes and trash with broken glass everywhere. At the end closest to the river, a beautiful location to view the river was the best part of the trail but was still desolate and deserted and gave no warm feeelongs of safety.

If you decide to ride this path, please be very careful and DO NOT GO ALONE!!! Be very aware of your surroundings and stop for no one.
Very Disappointed
By cmlewallen1 in September, 2010
My husband and I rode this path last weekend and was very disappointed. We have recently ridden several other Rails to Trails paths and have nothing but praise and great reviews for them, but this one........well, it was very disappinting and actually dangerous. The few (maybe 4 people) on this path did not seem to be there for the enjoyment or the beauty, but for maybe hiding for illegal activities? We were approached by 3-4 teens that wanted to "buy our bikes?" I was afraid that they would actually "take" our bikes.

The path itself was in poor repair and severly neglected. The asphalt was all broken, covered over with bushes and trash with broken glass everywhere. At the end closest to the river, a beautiful location to view the river was the best part of the trail but was still desolate and deserted and gave no warm feeelongs of safety.

If you decide to ride this path, please be very careful and DO NOT GO ALONE!!! Be very aware of your surroundings and stop for no one.
Trail Facts
Trail End Points: Wappoo Rd. & US 17/Savannah Hwy to the Ashely River
Counties: Charleston
Trail Length: 2.5 miles
Trail Category: Rail-Trail
Trail Surfaces: Asphalt
Trail Activities: Bike, Wheelchair Accessible, Mountain Biking, Walking
TrailLink ID: 6017145

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