West Ashley Greenway:
South Carolina
Trail Map
  • Get Personalized Driving Directions!
  • Find Trail Side Shops with Google Search!
  • See Users’ Geocoded Photos!
  • Get a Print-Friendly Map and Get Outdoors!
Description:
A favorite of local mountain bikers, the West Ashley Greenway takes you on a 10.5-mile out-and-back ride from suburban Charleston west to the scenic Lowcountry wetlands that surround this charming city.
From its trailhead behind the South Windermere Shopping Center, the greenway connects several miles of subdivisions on a 100-foot-wide packed-dirt path. On Johns Island, the dirt gives way to rough gravel and narrow bridge crossings-mountain bikes are a must. Here the broad wetlands flank the trail, presenting magnificent views and rewarding bird sightings. If your timing is right, you may catch sight of the tidal flow that carved these lacework channels.
The agricultural heart of the region, Johns Island is the nation's largest producer of tomatoes. In fact, much of the fresh produce served in local restaurants hails from this still rural but slowly developing community. (Don't tell the folks in South Georgia, but the island's Wadmalaw sweet onions are said to rival Vidalias in flavor.)
... Click to read more
Parking & Trail Access:
Directions: To reach the trailhead from downtown Charleston, take US Highway 17 west across the Ashley River Memorial Bridge. A half-mile past the bridge turn left on Folly Road. At the second light, turn right on Windermere Boulevard and enter the South Windermere Shopping Center. Park beside the trailhead on the north side of the shopping center.

Contact:
Charleston Department of Parks
30 Mary Murray Drive
Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 724-7321
... Click to read more
... Click to read more
Reviews: [0 trail ratings]
[View all reviews for this trail]
[register/login to Submit a Review of this Trail]
Fun ride!
By Jim herron on June 27, 2008
A very enjoyable ride. It was more fun than some paved trails and we liked the variety of scenery. Parking was easy. I think we'll use again next year as we travel South..
Great trail in Chas!
By Andrew M. on October 30, 2007
"I just went biking on this trail last weekend, August 25th, and what a great trailin Charleston this is! It's behind the S. Windemere shopping center, and the trail head is right behind the coffee shop on the corner of Rt. 17.

Don't let the 10 miles scare you - this is a very flat, well-maintained trail that I could have done on a beach-cruiser bike. And for the time it takes to get out to the estuary, it's worth it (The estuary is 4 or 5 miles from the trailhead). It was my girlfriend (who rode the trail with me), myself, and about 50 different animals of all different types - but unfortunately no alligators. It was picturesque views for minimal effort on this trail. If you're looking for something different to do that would be fun for everyone, this is the perfect opportunity. "
Decent but not challenging
By Kent D. Weikel on November 14, 2003
"The West Ashley Greenway starts on the hill next to the South Windemere shopping center in West Ashley and runs all the way to Main Road, which goes onto John's Island. The trail is unpaved for the most part, but is clearly marked; however, the east 1/3 of the trail is an inconvenience to riders because it is constantly crossing neighborhood sidestreets and you must stop for traffic. This 1/3 is not very scenic, anyways.

The latter 2/3 goes past the Clemson Agriculture Lab and along the Stono River where you will frequently see fisherman and shrimpers, as well as an assortment of wildlife and marshlands.

A safe loop for a rider looking for a ride of 20 miles is to start at South Windemere and take it all the way to Main Road, turn right on Main Road, take it across Hwy 17, and turn right on Bee's Ferry Road, which has a two-foot shoulder. Bee's Ferry Road will intersect with Glenn McConnell Frwy, which has a 15-foot shoulder. Glenn McConnell merges with Ashley River Road (Rte 61), which has sidewalks and parking lanes and shoulders. Hwy 61 intersects Folly Road, which returns you to South Windemere Center. "
Unusual among greenways: More was spent on street crossings than on the trail itself. Each pair of gates has paved approaches, but otherwise the trail remains a sandy, natural surface.
Trail Facts
Trail End Points: Charleston (S. Windemere Shopping Ctr) to Charleston
Counties: Charleston
Trail Length: 8 miles
Trail Category: Rail-Trail
Trail Surfaces: Dirt
Trail Activities: Mountain Biking, Walking
TrailLink ID: 6017144