Explore the best rated trails in West Columbia, SC, whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Cathedral Aisle Trail and Wateree Passage (Palmetto Trail) . With more than 10 trails covering 57 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.
The Cathedral Aisle Trail is part of a 65-mile network within Aiken's protected Hitchcock Woods. Open since September 1939, this lush...
The Congaree Boardwalk Loop is a popular trail located in the Congaree National Park in Richland, South Carolina. This 2.4-mile loop is an...
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Overview About 30 miles northwest of Columbia, the Peak to Prosperity Passage offers a scenic, shaded route along the right-of-way of a...
The small town of Pelion lies 22 miles southwest of the South Carolina capital, Columbia. The town boasts its own rail-trail, a 0.8 mile...
The Shot Pouch Greenway is a multiuse trail connecting Dillon Park and Swan Lake-Iris Gardens in the city of Sumter. Serving as a vital...
The Sumter Cypress Trail begins near the golf course in Sumter's Dillon Park. The trail is unmarked but is mostly level and follows a dirt...
Overview The Three Rivers Greenway occupies most of the waterfront real estate through Columbia, South Carolina. The many segments of the...
Traveling for nearly a mile in downtown Columbia, this first segment of the Vista Greenway features a 100-year-old railroad tunnel...
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Closure notice: Due to Hurricane Helene’s significant damage across the state, the Palmetto Trail will be closed until further notice.
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.
I did the whole trail & back, during the week after lunch at Wises bbq. I only encountered one dog walking couple & disturbed 2 basking black snakes . I did hit a a hole someone may have intentionally dug at the end in Pomaria. I thought I popped my front tire & had to do some acrobatics, but unscathed luckily. I did fill in the hole . I saw a review that said “there isn’t much scenery!” I found myself screaming “ this is beautiful sc back woods nature” I throughly enjoyed it ! Definitely different than most trails & little rougher,but great !
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.
Rucked it up and back yesterday, full trail. Super clean, easy trail. No incline. Minimal views, good for getting in your miles. Rocks were a pain in the a**. Definitely need some trail friendly shoes. Feet got beat up pretty good. Some campsites along small streams. 6/10. Good for getting time on feet. Won’t be back except for straight forward mileage. Bikes would be solid for stacking miles on a simple trail.
Just want to let runners know this trail has a very irregular surface with rocks and grassy patches. I don’t recommend it for running.
I regularly ride the Trail for training. Once you clear the walkers at the trailheads you can complete efforts with no stops. Several sections have big, loose rock so you’ll want to let some air out.
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.
Did the whole thing yesterday (and of course back). It’s in great shape. Some rocky stretches that is akin to riding in a gravel road. But those are infrequent and temporary. A couple dead spots in a couple trellises but a very nice ride and other than the first terrain after leaving the eastern parking it’s flat.
If you are lucky enough to regularly ride a horse, you are indeed a lucky person. If you are a horse person and have an opportunity to ride in Hitchcock Woods then you are a rarified rider for sure. The beauty, peace, depth and rare expanse of Hitchcock Woods is a place that defies description. Whether you walk/run or ride the trails of Hitchcock Woods I doubt you will find many places that will surpass its beauty. Trails by the names such as Devils backbone, Cathedral Aisle, Swampy Cut loop, Mrs. Allen’s ride and Lovers Lane in itself will entice any adventurer to step into this fairytale forest. You won’t be disappointed. Hitchcock woods is a rare gem, a preserved urban forest thanks to the Hitchcock families’ fore-site to maintain an equestrian ‘play ground’ for future generations.
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