Explore the best rated trails in Branchville, SC, whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the ACE Greenway and Edisto Nature Trail . With more than 13 trails covering 124 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.
Have been bike packing with son for last 5 years. We have done the C&O, Creeper and GAP trail and some single track in Brevard area. Went to the SFT because of the location and name - The area in SC was gorgeous, we went in spring and just caught the beginning of the pollen season, which made breathing a bit tough. The trail was mostly cut grass and cypress roots. We only managed 4-5mph and with the bikes loaded up with gear... it was very tedious and hard going. So much so that after the first day... we switched over to forest/lumber dirt roads that seemed to run parallel to most of the SFP trail. To me the SFP seemed more conducive to hiking or full suspension MTB trail, due to the surface and vast amount of roots to navigate. Gravel roads however were great and got us to our destination and back.
I live in the area, and frequently walk all of these trails. They are excellent. They're not all connected currently. Due to construction, some sections are closed. The West Columbia section is closed for the next six months. Part of the Riverfront Park is closed too. Your best bet if you're looking for distance is Candi Lane or the Timmerman Trail located at Dominion Energy. You can get around 11.5 miles round trip from the Timmerman Trail to Blossom Steet and back. Candi Lane is 6.8ish miles round trip. The Timmerman Trail is mostly shaded as is Candi Lane. The Riverfront Park, not so much.
We’d hoped to ride our bikes the promised 19.8 miles, so we’re disappointed to find that closures and construction reduced our ride to 3.5 miles each direction. We parked as far North as the trail goes, at Capital City Passage Trailhead. It’s pretty and would be cool, but unfortunately wasn’t worth our effort to get our bikes there.
We parked at Kelley Jones park and the trail is closed. There was a police officer stationed there on a golf cart. We asked him if there was another way to ride this section of the trail. He told us the railroad is doing construction (not communicated to the city per this police officer) and the trail is closed from 7:30am-4pm Mon-Fri for 2 weeks. He told us about another segment a few miles away at the Newman boat ramp. We went there and rode the 4 mile loop. It’s a better walking trail than bike trail but still pretty.
The signage for the intact part of the trail was below average. The detour section was poorly marked unless you are familiar with the road building project. It will be much nicer when completed, but for now it is best to avoid that area.
Horseflies were hungry this morning. Trail was very nice
It’s not perfect , but it is to me. I always start in the south at the Timmerman trail head near I-77 . You go north & follow to the connection at the boat ramp, then follow the signs for the on street connection to the next portion moving north . I look forward to the river decks reopening and doing the whole trail again! The trail does get busy near the West Columbia Main Street area, but that’s most trails. Stay south if you are looking for fewer folks on the trail.
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.
We got on the trail at E. Richardson Avenue. To our surprise there is a major road being put in a couple miles into the ride. You can pass through the construction but it is definitely a boot unpleasant.
I enjoy walking and jogging this trail. It’s a great way to get a quick workout into your day.
Wife and I live in Bonneau Beach, which is on east side of Lake Moultrie and this portion of the trail is where we ride our recumbent trikes. The southern end joins the Swampfox passage at a parking area just off highway 52 . From the parking area you cross 52 (be carefull) to begin and in about 1/2 mile you will be on the eastern dike of Lake Moultrie heading north to the town of Bonneau Beach. A better parking area is near Shortstay (military recreation area) at the end of Old Black Oak road. Here you can enter a pedestrian gate and takes you right up to the dike, no highway or railway to cross, If eligible, the Shortstay RV park is a great way to camp and enjoy the trail. Heading north , this portion of the dike is packed gravel and stone, and ends at the community of Bonneau Beach. There is a small parking area at this Black Oak RD access point. Evelyns Diner is great for breakfast and further down Black Oak Rd towards the lake is the Watermark restaurant, good food and drink. It's a 2 mile ride through the community to get to the next section of the eastern dike. The entrance and small parking clearing can be hard to find as it is tucked back off General Moultrie Rd and Martin drive (not marked). The dike is actually labeled as Pooshee Plantation Rd on Google Maps. This portion of the trail is our favorite and travels the dike along the lake with wetlands and chances to see wildlife are assured. It is a two track path made up of packed finer gravel. There is also a primitive camping area (no facilities) We like to end our ride and picnic at the Amos Lee Gourdine boat ramp and beach area. The total distance from Shortstay going north to the Gourdine boat ramp area is about 15 miles. The trail continues along side the rediversion canal, crossing over the canal, but soon becomes unrideable especially for our trikes. The portion that I have covered in this review is the only part of the trail that I have found bike ridable especially a recumbent trike.
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