Find the top rated walking trails in Spartanburg, whether you're looking for an easy short walking trail or a long walking trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a walking trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
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The Mary Black Foundation Rail Trail is just a short segment of what will eventually become the 12-mile Hub City Connector, which itself will be part of the larger Palmetto Trail, a proposed 425-mile...
The Doodle Rail Trail connects the towns of Easley and Pickens in the northwestern corner of South Carolina. The paved trail follows the former Doodle Line railroad for just over 8 miles and includes...
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This unique trail runs through the campus of the SC School for the Deaf and the Blind and features interpretive signs in Braille that teach trail-goers about the types of trees along the route. The...
If you enjoy rail-trails that flaunt their railroading past, you're sure to love the Thermal Belt Rail-Trail. The trail begins in Gilkey, and a recent extension takes it over 13 miles southeast to...
Constructed in 1981 as the city of Spartanburg's first mixed-use trail, the River Birch Trail was in rough shape, with vegetation overgrowing the route and the surface cracked and failing, until the...
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In the heart of busy Spartanburg, the Liberty Trail provides a beautiful oasis through a garden, along a tree-lined brook that cascades over a series of granite steps into a pool. Although only 0.5...
The trail extends from the dam at Duncan Park Lake and courses through the park to near Union Street by the baseball stadium. The path is a gradual hill (up or down, depending on your direction of...
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The trail runs from the heart of Belton north towards Williamston. Beginning from the Belton Library, the trail travels north within the former Southern Railway corridor, paralleling Main Street. The...
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A natural-surface trail that runs through the gorgeous Edwin M. Griffin Preserve just outside the center of Spartanburg, the Cottonwood Trail offers a lovely path into the wooded landscape surrounding...
Part of an expansive revitalization effort that the city of Spartanburg has undertaken to improve the economic and ecological well-being of the Northside neighborhood, the Butterfly Branch Greenway...
Kings Mountain Gateway Trail is situated in a beautiful natural park setting offering a picnic shelter, restrooms, drinking fountains, and parking. Much of the park is heavily wooded and the trail is...
The Pacolet Nature Trail is a paved trail in the quiet rural community of Pacolet, located along the banks of the Pacolet River. The trail matches the sleepy nature of the town, providing trail users...
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The Three Creeks Trail adds about a mile to Spartanburg's growing network of trails, christened the Daniel Morgan Trail System or "The Dan" for short. The 10-ft wide paved trail stretches between...
Closure Notice: Starting in 2020 and continuing through 2021, portions of the Swamp Rabbit Trail will be subject to ongoing closures for trail repaving. Please consult with the official site for the...
The Wadsworth Trail parallels Willis Road from Harmon Drive to Hawk Creek Drive, with a spur heading south along SR 42-4382/Caldwell Drive. The Willis Road portion is 1.85 miles (one way), while the...
In northern South Carolina, only about 30 miles southwest of Charlotte, lies the quaint city of York. A paved bicycle trail runs through the heart of the community from its city park to its recreation...
Located in the quiet, rural outskirts of Spartanburg, SC, the Glendale Shoals Trail provides a lovely path for visitors to explore some of the natural beauty of the area. The natural-surface trail...
Highland Rail Trail is named for the neighborhood that it runs adjacent to as it travels through Gastonia along the former Carolina and Northwestern (C&NW) Railway. Although short, it offers an...
The first phase of this rail trail opened in April 2017 and provides safe and convenient pedestrian access to Lyman’s commercial center. While it is new, it is already fairly well-used. The trail...
This multi-use path follows the south side of Southport Road, from Cedar Springs Road heading west to South Avenue. It passes the 295 Sports Complex, a DMV office and a water treatment plant before...
A natural-surface trail that runs through the gorgeous Edwin M. Griffin Preserve just outside the center of Spartanburg, the Cottonwood Trail offers a lovely path into the wooded landscape surrounding...
This multi-use path follows the south side of Southport Road, from Cedar Springs Road heading west to South Avenue. It passes the 295 Sports Complex, a DMV office and a water treatment plant before...
In the heart of busy Spartanburg, the Liberty Trail provides a beautiful oasis through a garden, along a tree-lined brook that cascades over a series of granite steps into a pool. Although only 0.5...
Constructed in 1981 as the city of Spartanburg's first mixed-use trail, the River Birch Trail was in rough shape, with vegetation overgrowing the route and the surface cracked and failing, until the...
Closure Notice: Starting in 2020 and continuing through 2021, portions of the Swamp Rabbit Trail will be subject to ongoing closures for trail repaving. Please consult with the official site for the...
The Brevard Bike Path is a relatively flat trail, nearly 5 miles long. About 1 mile (northwest end) follows the old Carr Lumber Company railway corridor and extends into the Pisgah National Forest up...
The Wadsworth Trail parallels Willis Road from Harmon Drive to Hawk Creek Drive, with a spur heading south along SR 42-4382/Caldwell Drive. The Willis Road portion is 1.85 miles (one way), while the...
If you enjoy rail-trails that flaunt their railroading past, you're sure to love the Thermal Belt Rail-Trail. The trail begins in Gilkey, and a recent extension takes it over 13 miles southeast to...
The Avon and Catawba Creeks Greenway has several neighborhood entrances in Gastonia. The 1.9-mile trail winds alongside Catawba Creek and Avon Creek with a few small bridges crossings along the way....
The trail extends from the dam at Duncan Park Lake and courses through the park to near Union Street by the baseball stadium. The path is a gradual hill (up or down, depending on your direction of...
The Purple Martin Greenway provides a beautiful community amenity in Rutherfordton. The quaint western North Carolina town was established in 1787 and has many buildings on the National Register of...
The Doodle Rail Trail connects the towns of Easley and Pickens in the northwestern corner of South Carolina. The paved trail follows the former Doodle Line railroad for just over 8 miles and includes...
The first phase of this rail trail opened in April 2017 and provides safe and convenient pedestrian access to Lyman’s commercial center. While it is new, it is already fairly well-used. The trail...
The Three Creeks Trail adds about a mile to Spartanburg's growing network of trails, christened the Daniel Morgan Trail System or "The Dan" for short. The 10-ft wide paved trail stretches between...
Kings Mountain Gateway Trail is situated in a beautiful natural park setting offering a picnic shelter, restrooms, drinking fountains, and parking. Much of the park is heavily wooded and the trail is...
The Pacolet Nature Trail is a paved trail in the quiet rural community of Pacolet, located along the banks of the Pacolet River. The trail matches the sleepy nature of the town, providing trail users...
Located in the quiet, rural outskirts of Spartanburg, SC, the Glendale Shoals Trail provides a lovely path for visitors to explore some of the natural beauty of the area. The natural-surface trail...
The trail runs from the heart of Belton north towards Williamston. Beginning from the Belton Library, the trail travels north within the former Southern Railway corridor, paralleling Main Street. The...
For lovers of outdoors, the Oklawaha Greenway presents a natural escape in an otherwise suburban setting. The greenway trails Mud Creek for a big part of its length, beginning its northwesterly...
Highland Rail Trail is named for the neighborhood that it runs adjacent to as it travels through Gastonia along the former Carolina and Northwestern (C&NW) Railway. Although short, it offers an...
Highland Rail Trail is named for the neighborhood that it runs adjacent to as it travels through Gastonia along the former Carolina and Northwestern (C&NW) Railway. Although short, it offers an...
The trail runs from the heart of Belton north towards Williamston. Beginning from the Belton Library, the trail travels north within the former Southern Railway corridor, paralleling Main Street. The...
Part of an expansive revitalization effort that the city of Spartanburg has undertaken to improve the economic and ecological well-being of the Northside neighborhood, the Butterfly Branch Greenway...
Beginning less than half a mile from downtown, the Bessemer City Park Trail offers a quiet natural retreat. The 1.3-mile route begins at the basketball court in Bessemer City Park and quickly dives...
If you enjoy rail-trails that flaunt their railroading past, you're sure to love the Thermal Belt Rail-Trail. The trail begins in Gilkey, and a recent extension takes it over 13 miles southeast to...
Constructed in 1981 as the city of Spartanburg's first mixed-use trail, the River Birch Trail was in rough shape, with vegetation overgrowing the route and the surface cracked and failing, until the...
This multi-use path follows the south side of Southport Road, from Cedar Springs Road heading west to South Avenue. It passes the 295 Sports Complex, a DMV office and a water treatment plant before...
The Three Creeks Trail adds about a mile to Spartanburg's growing network of trails, christened the Daniel Morgan Trail System or "The Dan" for short. The 10-ft wide paved trail stretches between...
For lovers of outdoors, the Oklawaha Greenway presents a natural escape in an otherwise suburban setting. The greenway trails Mud Creek for a big part of its length, beginning its northwesterly...
Shelby's rail-trail winds through the western edge of the city between West Grover Street and Dixon Boulevard. Following the former right-of-way of Norfolk Southern Railroad, the unpaved pathway...
In the heart of busy Spartanburg, the Liberty Trail provides a beautiful oasis through a garden, along a tree-lined brook that cascades over a series of granite steps into a pool. Although only 0.5...
This unique trail runs through the campus of the SC School for the Deaf and the Blind and features interpretive signs in Braille that teach trail-goers about the types of trees along the route. The...
The Wadsworth Trail parallels Willis Road from Harmon Drive to Hawk Creek Drive, with a spur heading south along SR 42-4382/Caldwell Drive. The Willis Road portion is 1.85 miles (one way), while the...
The Avon and Catawba Creeks Greenway has several neighborhood entrances in Gastonia. The 1.9-mile trail winds alongside Catawba Creek and Avon Creek with a few small bridges crossings along the way....
The Brevard Bike Path is a relatively flat trail, nearly 5 miles long. About 1 mile (northwest end) follows the old Carr Lumber Company railway corridor and extends into the Pisgah National Forest up...
The trail extends from the dam at Duncan Park Lake and courses through the park to near Union Street by the baseball stadium. The path is a gradual hill (up or down, depending on your direction of...
In northern South Carolina, only about 30 miles southwest of Charlotte, lies the quaint city of York. A paved bicycle trail runs through the heart of the community from its city park to its recreation...
The Purple Martin Greenway provides a beautiful community amenity in Rutherfordton. The quaint western North Carolina town was established in 1787 and has many buildings on the National Register of...
Kings Mountain Gateway Trail is situated in a beautiful natural park setting offering a picnic shelter, restrooms, drinking fountains, and parking. Much of the park is heavily wooded and the trail is...
The first phase of this rail trail opened in April 2017 and provides safe and convenient pedestrian access to Lyman’s commercial center. While it is new, it is already fairly well-used. The trail...
We started out in Easley, the parking lot is not very big and we were pulling a trailer which we had to park behind a restaurant across the street. Not a big deal, but just be aware if you are in anything bigger than a car. We came to a dead end at one of the bridges that had huge holes in it. So we never made it to Pickens because of this as we saw no signs to get around this. So I estimate the last 2 miles were not traveled. So we just turned around and returned to the start and started the trail again! Nice city trail except for the bridge out.
First time riding. Short and easy. Gravel path on last bit a little narrow and challenging to avoid walker’s. Lovely. It would be nice to finish or widen last half.
Rode end to end on the largest section of the trail from Greenville to past Travelers Rest and back. As others have said, finding the “real” trail out of town is pretty tough. There are way too many unmarked options. We tried two before finally finding a third and following a few cyclists that looked like they were riding for some distance. It’s beautiful in the city, but they really do need good signage. This is also a trail to cruise and enjoy until you get well out of town. Its crowded, even on a Wednesday.
Too crowded with walkers and little kids for a pleasant ride. Groups of walkers block path and do not move to side. Some areas too narrow and with blind corners. Two bike wrecks I know of in 40 minutes due to walkers and little kids running out in front of bikes. Not a good experience.
We rode from Travelers Rest to the swamp rabbit café and grocery. Perfect place to stop and have a wonderful lunch! The path was smooth, mostly level and shady. Even in 80° it was a comfortable ride.
I rode 14 miles of the Swamp Rabbit Trail starting in Traveler's Rest and ending at the trail's end near Greenville Tech. The fundamentals for a great trail experience is here it just needs more investment in signage to bring it to its full potential.
Traveler's Rest is a perfect trail town and provides many options to get something to eat, shop and multiple locations to lock up your bike. You can tell that the town has really embraced the Swamp Rabbit Trail; its a shame that they don't have great signage to direct you to the trail or to find a good parking spot on the trail. Within the first quarter mile I had to use my phone to figure out that the trail continued across the street because there was no signage directing me there and it was not so obvious as the trail is tucked behind the sidewalk.
As you leave Traveler's Rest the signage for the Swamp Rabbit Trail does come into play but it still is confusing to find and stay on the trail through Furman University, the Cancer Survivors Park, and a playground by the local zoo. All of these points provided great scenery and multiple options for food I just wish it was more obvious which paved section was the actual trail.
The Swamp Rabbit Trail website is very detailed and I wish the actual trail had as much thought put into it as the website does. The trail itself is in very good condition which made riding an enjoyable experience. I can tell that the local communities have invested a lot of time and money into this trail; a small investment in better signage will make this trail a five star trail.
This time we started and ended in Travelers Rest. Lots of dining options that are open later than the Swamp Rabbit. Makes it easier to plan an all day ride when you're not limited by the clock. Start of the trail was more crowded with walkers and younger riders. Once we got through the first mile or two, everyone spaced out. My only complaint is that many of the faster riders did not think it important to annouce themselves. This is not unique to the Swamp Rabbit Trail but just seems to be more common this year.
We rode end to end and back yesterday on our tandem. It’s a very nicely done trail and the pavement is smooth as silk. It’s probably not a destination trail, but if you’re in the area, you don’t want to miss it. There are plenty of places to grab a drink or a bit to eat. There is a bike shop in Spindale. The at-grade crossings are plentiful in a few of the towns, but we still managed a decent pace and the crossings were well marked and safe.
The Thermal Belt is a lovely trail, now with a smooth, 12' asphalt surface. It's the 2nd longest rail-trail in NC, after the American Tobacco Trail. The one caution: Be careful not to let your front wheel wander off the pavement. There's a 3" drop-off to loose gravel shoulders. Those shoulders slope away from the pavement. So your next destination is a ditch. If Rutherford County will build up the shoulders, then the Thermal Belt will become much safer.
Trail is marked open from dawn to dusk
We attempted to go along the trail to enjoy the bridge shown in the pictures but it was very apparent once arriving that it no longer exists. Not sure at which point it was dismantled but be prepared not to be able to go from one end of the trail to the other.
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