Find the top rated hiking trails in Summerville, whether you're looking for an easy short hiking trail or a long hiking trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a hiking trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
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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.
Nice wide concrete path through “trunnels” (tree tunnels), residential areas and commercial areas. We we’re camped 10 miles north of the northern end at Clarendon Park and used that parking several times. This end goes through a kind of rough neighborhood and some locals hangout in the park! The other place we parked was at the Publix grocery store on Robert Smalls Parkway about middle of the trail. There’s a concrete path that goes right over to the trail on the right end of the store with ample parking. The trail crosses several narrow lol
Even though they are 4 lines of traffic, 2 for pedestrians and 2 for cyclists, the pedestrians don’t pay attention and often wander or intentionally move in to the bike lines. I ran in to a jogger in the wrong lane going downhill, I had my hands on the breaks, but there was no avoiding this collision and I know I am not the only one who has had this problem.
If I were local, I would rate much higher. However as a person that has traversed Many trails I have to give this trail a low rating. As a local person, this is a nice trail. However, compared to other trails, it is lacking. Directions to the various trailheads is a zero. I could not find the Port Royal trailhead because there is one. So I went to the northern most near Beaufort and headed south. The scenery is a 3. When you get to Port Royal the trail apparently ends. However, it is paved to the left and a sign indicates 2 miles to go But payment ends and there are no more signs. i Qent T Lacking Tonother trails A Local it is a nice trail A Low rating. has
Wife and I live in Bonneau Beach, which is on east side of Lake Moultrie and this portion of the trail is where we ride our recumbent trikes. The southern end joins the Swampfox passage at a parking area just off highway 52 . From the parking area you cross 52 (be carefull) to begin and in about 1/2 mile you will be on the eastern dike of Lake Moultrie heading north to the town of Bonneau Beach. A better parking area is near Shortstay (military recreation area) at the end of Old Black Oak road. Here you can enter a pedestrian gate and takes you right up to the dike, no highway or railway to cross, If eligible, the Shortstay RV park is a great way to camp and enjoy the trail. Heading north , this portion of the dike is packed gravel and stone, and ends at the community of Bonneau Beach. There is a small parking area at this Black Oak RD access point. Evelyns Diner is great for breakfast and further down Black Oak Rd towards the lake is the Watermark restaurant, good food and drink. It's a 2 mile ride through the community to get to the next section of the eastern dike. The entrance and small parking clearing can be hard to find as it is tucked back off General Moultrie Rd and Martin drive (not marked). The dike is actually labeled as Pooshee Plantation Rd on Google Maps. This portion of the trail is our favorite and travels the dike along the lake with wetlands and chances to see wildlife are assured. It is a two track path made up of packed finer gravel. There is also a primitive camping area (no facilities) We like to end our ride and picnic at the Amos Lee Gourdine boat ramp and beach area. The total distance from Shortstay going north to the Gourdine boat ramp area is about 15 miles. The trail continues along side the rediversion canal, crossing over the canal, but soon becomes unrideable especially for our trikes. The portion that I have covered in this review is the only part of the trail that I have found bike ridable especially a recumbent trike.
Wife and I live nearby (Bonneau Beach) and occasionally hike this trail. Many improvements are either completed or in the works such as walking bridges etc. I would recommend this trail for hiking but it has a long way to go to make it bike friendly. For those that would like to cycle in this area, I would highly recommend the Lake Moultrie Passage (an adjacent section of the Palmetto trail which runs along Lake Moultrie.) Trailink does not list this section which is mostly gravel and much more suited to bicycling. In fact, we ride our recumbent trikes from Shortstay campground near Moncks Corner for 15 miles to the Re Diversion canal near Russelville Sc. All of this section is on the dike around the Lake except for a small area through the community of Bonneau Beach. In Bonneau Beach, on Black Oak road, are 3 restaurants and local market. The Lake Moultrie passage has some great scenery along with wildlife typical of wetlands. The Lake Moultrie passage can be accessed at the southern end off of Old Black Oak Rd near the Shortstay Navy recreation facility . There is also parking in Bonneau Beach across from the diner to access the northern gate of the East Dike. Further north near Russelville there is ample parking at the Amos Lee Gourdine boat ramp.
12’ wide, smooth concrete for 10+ miles. WOW. Easy, leisurely ride. Beautiful and interesting points of interest. We’re very glad we made this choice.
we started at broome lane parking lot (small - but had a bathroom) - rode right almost to the end - turned around and went back all the way and then retraced the mile or so back to broome lane - very lovely ride - just about 17 miles - some very scenic sections - the middle of the ride had a couple of busy/traffic-lighted intersections (no worries if you're careful) and a bit that was right next to the highway - but the pros way out-weighed the cons - good ride - would do it again if ever in the area again - just for those who are interested in the value of rails to trails in your town - we rode here and then spent the night / ate / spent money in beaufort ... RTT do bring economic gain to their host towns !!
pro’s: I love when towns invest in trails, especially as a biker who likes to explore. This trail is a cement, flat path which is nice for easy going. For cyclists, you can do an easy and safe out and back 20ish miles. There is a nice section at Depot Road where you can take a trip into Beaufort- highly suggest! Con’s: this is not a pretty, scenic trail. It goes through depressed areas, is often next to major roads and is littered w/trash.
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