Find the top rated running trails in Aiken, whether you're looking for an easy short running trail or a long running trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a running trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
_99608_st.jpg)
_196687_st.jpg)
Parked by McCormick country club end. Road about .4 miles on the trail, until came to very large trees down from Hurricane Helene. Possibly could have lifted bikes through but wasn’t sure how many more were down. Many had been cut so I’m sure they will eventually be cut. Turned back and drove to SC7 parking. About 3 spaces there, road about 2 miles, roots, leaves, and pine straw covered, definitely need a mountain bike, beautiful trip in the woods. There is a small detour onto moss rd for about .5 miles, which is a country road not busy. Didn’t go all the way to Willington. Very nice day!
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.
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.
Wanted to provide a more recent review. Rode most of the trail yesterday with my wife. It is well marked, well maintained and beautiful ride. The path is hard pack - not concrete or black top so it is not super smooth. There are several things to see and placards to read that explain the features of the old railroad. Also a cemetery from the 1700s and a fun tressel towards the end. The only negatives were that my wife thought there were too many roots. There are roots and I rode a mountain bike so I didn’t really notice them as ‘bad”. Also there is about a 2.5 mile section you have to ride on the road in the middle. It is a country road and traffic was lite and the cars were respectful of us and rode slowly around us. There were benches and picnic tables along the route if you wanted to stop and just sit for a while. We only saw 2 other people walking their dogs. It was a fun trail for novice riders not looking for single track. Enjoy -
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.
TrailLink is a free service provided by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (a non-profit) and we need your support!
Scan the QR code to get TrailLink on your phone
Map Search
