Explore the best rated trails in Santee, SC, whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Wateree Passage (Palmetto Trail) and Congaree Boardwalk Loop . With more than 15 trails covering 132 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.
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).
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.
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.
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.
Wife and I live nearby (Bonneau Beach) and occasionally hike this trail. Many improvements are either completed or in the works such as walking bridges etc. I would recommend this trail for hiking but it has a long way to go to make it bike friendly. For those that would like to cycle in this area, I would highly recommend the Lake Moultrie Passage (an adjacent section of the Palmetto trail which runs along Lake Moultrie.) Trailink does not list this section which is mostly gravel and much more suited to bicycling. In fact, we ride our recumbent trikes from Shortstay campground near Moncks Corner for 15 miles to the Re Diversion canal near Russelville Sc. All of this section is on the dike around the Lake except for a small area through the community of Bonneau Beach. In Bonneau Beach, on Black Oak road, are 3 restaurants and local market. The Lake Moultrie passage has some great scenery along with wildlife typical of wetlands. The Lake Moultrie passage can be accessed at the southern end off of Old Black Oak Rd near the Shortstay Navy recreation facility . There is also parking in Bonneau Beach across from the diner to access the northern gate of the East Dike. Further north near Russelville there is ample parking at the Amos Lee Gourdine boat ramp.
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