Find the top rated running trails in Columbia, 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.
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The flat and scenic trail has all the makings of a beautiful escape - river crossings, swamp bridges, railroad crossings and bridges and small town charm. Started in peak and at about mile 7.5 there was a large impassable tree across trail prohibiting full biking to prosperity. The trail is not "crushed stone" (would be great if it was) rather it is more like fist size rocks making it a pretty bumpy and painful ride in the saddle.
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.
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.
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.
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