Find the top rated hike trails in Charleston, whether you're looking for an easy short hike trail or a long hike trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a hike trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
Easy parking at west end, biked the 8.5 miles to the east end and enjoyed a yoghurt bowl from TCBY in west Ashley before heading back! There are numerous street crossings that are well marked for safety and intermittent shade along the way s well as resting benches.
i am concerned with safety on the trail given on monday in one down and back ride i counted 7 e bikes on the trail they are increasing in number. most people dont realize those bikes are powerful fast and very heavy compared to any standard bike. i have now cut my rides from every day to just three days a week and if it doesnt improve even less. its unfortunate i really like the trail its a typically pleasant ride. One of several attractions for me is the fact that the signs all state there are to be no motorized vehicles on the trail yet sense it re opened i have come upon a gas fired scooter two golf carts one atv and countless e bikes. Not really looking good for continued future use for any one not using a motor!
We biked this trail on March 15. Nice trail, but the parking information needs work. We first tried to find the parking at 25 Lyttleton Ave. There is a house there in a neighborhood, but no trail parking. We found the nearby trail crossing at Nicholson St. There is a single-car pulloff next to the crossing. A passing local person said it was okay to park there. Later on the ride we found the other parking listed for the east end of the trail. It is behind a row of shops and is not marked as trail parking as such. There is an alleyway of sorts behind the shops, with parking along the trail. The turn into the alley is beside the Peter and Sons Shoe Repair Shop at 42 Windermere Blvd, Charleston. Hope this helps other users to find the parking.
We started at McLeod Mill road. Thanks to charlesdove for providing excellent details in his review. The sand/dirt stretch lasted about a mile, and then it became asphalt. It was pretty flat with beautiful views. The street crossings were at non-busy intersections. Very enjoyable.
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
July 2024 Update:
My wife and I rate this trail 2.5/5. We rode our bikes and had a decent time.
Pros: shaded trail with a beautiful ending ( the pier).
Cons: crossing a 4 lane highway is no joke and the Wapoo trail head is currently non-existent. There's no signage and the path is almost completely overgrown.
Was vacationing in Charleston and rode the Ashley trail. Started at the Albemarle endpoint and headed west. Took my mountain bike because from description I thought about half of the 8.2 miles would be unpaved. Well I keep going and at 7.2 miles the asphalt ended at the Croghan Landing Dr parking lot.
Rode the reminder on the sand/dirt stretch. Scenery much different then what I’m used to in the mountains of Virginia. Very beautiful surroundings on west end. More shaded too after around 4-5 miles because the electrical right of way turns away from the trail, so more trees can grow into each other and cover the trail more often.
There are lots of street crossings and the one major one at Folly Road Blvd. Can get annoying, feels like you never can get in a rhythm slowing up and reaccelerating.
I’d recommend parking behind the shopping strip on Windermere and avoid the Folly crosssing.
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.
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