Explore the best rated trails in Orangeburg, SC, whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Vista Greenway and Williston Rail-Trail . With more than 10 trails covering 74 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.
On April 15, 2026 my wife and I "e-biked" the trail beginning at the southern hwy 52 trailhead. We are active, fit retirees at 70 years old. The trailhead is spacious but has no accomodations ( restroom, water, garbage can , etc. ) Immediately you are challenged to cross a 5-lane highway ( use the turn lane as somewhat of a safety island ) . The initial trail through the mostly pine forest was shady, poorly marked, and with significant surface roots on average every 4-5 feet of trail. Leaving the pine forest as you approach the dam you will need to portage your bikes across a railroad track ( no crossings provided ). Again signage was found lacking and we were unsure of the trail location or direction. BTW, the trail description posted on this site is woefully lacking and somewhat inaccurate. We used google maps to confirm that the trail was actually at the top of the levee / dam. There are actually two trails / service roads that parallel the lake. One is at grade below the levee and the other is atop the levee. Neither is identified as the Lake Moultrie Passage trail. We took the levee trail. It offered a good compacted , level gravel road with a spectacular elevated view of the lake.
We arrived at Bonn Grocery a little after noon. In the abscence of trail signage we asked a grocery patron where the trail continued. he pointed us a couple blocks away to Butter Street as the trail connection. At Black Oak Rd and Butter Street we found a trail maker facing in the opposite direction, located low enough to be obscured by weeds and other signage. We were planning to have lunch at the Watermark Bar & Grill only to find it closed and posted as under the control and jurisdiction of the sheriff' department.
We continued down Butter Street to Barn Rd to Pauline Drive. These thoroughfares are two-lane with no shoulder, significant local traffic, and more than a few agressive drivers ( despite we were moving at 15-18 MPH in full power mode on our bikes ) We turned around and did not proceed to the Pooshee Plantation Rd. / Wildlife Management portion of the trail which we were very much looking forward to biking.
We suggest the trail map be more detailed , identifying the trail characteristics such as when you will be sharing the road with vehicles and with no designated bike lanes. Possibly include information as to how to access the non-vehicular portions of the trail.
We enjoyed the part of the trail we biked but were disappointed that we were not able bike more miles without being forced to share the road with vehicular traffic.
Not a true bike path. Wayyyy too narrow and blind curves. I couldn't wait to get off of it. Ok for walking I'm sure but BEWARE it's not safe for bikes!
Awesome Greenway , very well maintained and very clean. Definitely worth checking out and seeing.
A pretty good little trail for gravel riding, but as others have said, poorly maintain and poorly marked. But if you look into kill time, it’s OK for beginners.
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.
This trail is well maintained and mostly flat. The parking lot on the Swan Lake end was under construction so I had to park near the Swan Lake-Iris Gardens Visitors Center and cross the road to get to the trail. The people inside the center were really nice and told me how to get to the trail head. I like that they have buttons and walk signs at a few of the intersections. Be mindful that the only restrooms are at the trail heads (unless you want to try going off trail into a local business along the way).
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.
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.
Never ran this before. It hasn’t rained in a week or so. The trail was maintained and looks great! 6.2 mile complete
I enjoy walking and jogging this trail. It’s a great way to get a quick workout into your day.
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