Columbia, SC Birding Trails and Maps

50 Reviews

Looking for the best Birding trails around Columbia?

Find the top rated birding trails in Columbia, whether you're looking for an easy short birding trail or a long birding trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a birding trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.

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Activities
Length
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Type
9 Results
Activities
Length
Surfaces
Type

Peak to Prosperity Passage (Palmetto Trail)

10.8 mi
State: SC
Crushed Stone, Dirt, Grass, Sand

Pelion Rail Trail

0.8 mi
State: SC
Asphalt

Shot Pouch Greenway

3.4 mi
State: SC
Asphalt

Sumter Cypress Trail

6.2 mi
State: SC
Dirt, Grass

Vista Greenway

0.8 mi
State: SC
Concrete

Three Rivers Greenway

19.4 mi
State: SC
Asphalt

Congaree Boardwalk Loop

2.4 mi
State: SC
Boardwalk, Dirt

Wateree Passage (Palmetto Trail)

11.4 mi
State: SC
Boardwalk, Dirt, Grass, Sand

Williston Rail-Trail

1.6 mi
State: SC
Asphalt
Trail Image Trail Name States Length Surface Rating
Overview   About 30 miles northwest of Columbia, the Peak to Prosperity Passage offers a scenic, shaded route along the right-of-way of a former Norfolk Southern Railroad corridor. Popular with dog...
SC 10.8 mi Crushed Stone, Dirt, Grass, Sand
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 walking path occupying a disused railway track. The trail is...
SC 0.8 mi Asphalt
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 transportation link for the surrounding communities, the trail...
SC 3.4 mi Asphalt
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 road and grassy path through the woods and open fields. You...
SC 6.2 mi Dirt, Grass
Traveling for nearly a mile in downtown Columbia, this first segment of the Vista Greenway features a 100-year-old railroad tunnel stretching 400 feet under Lincoln Street. Although short, the new...
SC 0.8 mi Concrete
Overview The Three Rivers Greenway occupies most of the waterfront real estate through Columbia, South Carolina. The many segments of the trail run along the Broad, Saluda, and Congaree Rivers. The...
SC 19.4 mi Asphalt
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 excellent way to explore the beautiful landscape of this...
SC 2.4 mi Boardwalk, Dirt
Closure notice: Due to Hurricane Helene’s significant damage across the state, the Palmetto Trail will be closed until further notice. Please visit the Palmetto Conservation website for more...
SC 11.4 mi Boardwalk, Dirt, Grass, Sand
The Williston Rail-Trail runs between East Main Street and West Main Street in the small Barnwell County community of Williston. The paved trail serves as a safe route to school for students in the...
SC 1.6 mi Asphalt

Recent Trail Reviews

Shot Pouch Greenway

Nice trail!

November, 2024 by traillink user

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).

Three Rivers Greenway

partly closed on 9/19/24

September, 2024 by kippmich

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.

Three Rivers Greenway

My home greenway

June, 2024 by 42htvtdgh6

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.

Accordion

Peak to Prosperity Passage (Palmetto Trail)

fun nature ride

May, 2024 by 42htvtdgh6

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 !

Three Rivers Greenway

Don’t bother with the canal section

May, 2024 by ctgwrcfzvj

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.

Peak to Prosperity Passage (Palmetto Trail)

clean, easy trail

January, 2024 by bransom49

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.

Peak to Prosperity Passage (Palmetto Trail)

not meant for running

December, 2023 by amaybach

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.

Peak to Prosperity Passage (Palmetto Trail)

Perfect Gravel Bike Trail Training Ride

December, 2023 by rwest3

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.

Sumter Cypress Trail

good run

October, 2023 by tayloratkinson39

Never ran this before. It hasn’t rained in a week or so. The trail was maintained and looks great! 6.2 mile complete

Pelion Rail Trail

Level, peaceful trial

September, 2023 by scknothead

I enjoy walking and jogging this trail. It’s a great way to get a quick workout into your day.

Peak to Prosperity Passage (Palmetto Trail)

It’s a nice ride

June, 2023 by lzrus2018

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.

Peak to Prosperity Passage (Palmetto Trail)

Update

September, 2022 by wqc5m2qfj9

9/12/22 -- Downed trees are now taken care of.

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