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The Awendaw Passage is a 7-mile single-track segment of the Palmetto Trail, which will extend more than 425 miles across South Carolina when completed. Named for the creek it follows, this Awendaw Passage winds along the edge of a salt marsh and through a forested area where travelers can glimpse the famed palmetto trees, South Carolina's symbolic tree featured on the state's flag.
About the Route
The Awendaw Passage is the coastal terminus of the Palmetto Trail, which reaches its endpoint at the Intracoastal Waterway. The trail offers sweeping views of the salt marsh and includes an overlook and boardwalk at Walnut Grove. A short portion of the trail's western end follows an old railroad corridor.
This section of the Palmetto Trail is rough and unimproved. Nearly the entire trail is constructed on gravel, woodchips, and even dirt. The trail is also nearly entirely wooded and rural, except for a short segment where the route crosses Rte. 17 and shares the road with Rosa Green Rd. for a short section. The rural character of the route offers a scenic trail experience for all trail users.
Connections
The trail continues west from the Steed Creek Trailhead as the Swamp Fox Passage, another segment of the Palmetto Trail.
The Awendaw Passage (Palmetto Trail) runs between 7476 Hwy 17 (McClellanville) and 990 Buckhall Landing Rd (McClellanville), with parking at either endpoint.
NOTE: Parking in the Buck Hall Recreation Area, where the trail is situated, costs $5 a day.
Please see TrailLink Map for more detailed directions.
Roots, muddy and wet
I am a relative newbie to trail riding. My new Giant ATX did a great job pulling me over the bumps and even through the deep standing water. Next time, we will go during low tide and not after a big rain. Bring bug spray!!! All-in-All we have fun!
It's great ¿¿¿¿
I have run most of the Swamp Fox and love it, but would probably make this #1 in the CHARLESTON area. It is unbelievably beautiful along the marshes and intracoastal. And it even has a section of great switchbacks and elevation gains. And depending on where you start, one of the best things about it is a great turnaround at Buck Hall with picnic tables, water and rest rooms.
The tide was mostly out this day and it hadn't rained in 4-5 days. I could see the possibility of wet areas if it has been raining a lot or really high tides. But, there are usually boards or reinforced walkways in areas where it might be wet. You should be fine near low tide (but obviously more beautiful with tides in!).
Minimal roots. Could see where bikers might have to walk some areas for one reason or another, but few. No problem for runners or hikers.
Highly recommend! This trail is what the LOWCOUNTRY is all about!!!
Awendaw Passage trail under water and impassable from Swamp Fox trailhead; would prefer it closed in these conditions to prevent further trail breakdown. Swamp Fox passage from Swamp Fox trailhead was for the most part dry and passable through Willow Hall Rd
We did the trail a few days after some rain but we didn't expect it to be so muddy. Going down the path was not really easy. All over nice views and good directions for the trail.
August 2014 - We hit the trail head around 6 pm at the Buck Hall recreation area and took a leisurely ride. Great views of the marshes especially on the ride back due to the soft light created by the setting sun. It’s a pretty easy trail with some minor root obstacles.
Bring bug spray or you’ll be eaten alive.
It's $5 to park here, so don't forget your cash.
Rode the trail over christmas. Very easy trail with only a few areas with roots. Looks like it can get muddy in some areas but it was dry and solid when I rode it. Not a challenging trail but has great scennery as half of it winds along the salt marsh. It was about 14 miles round trip through pine forest and salt marsh. Worth the trip for the views. Take a fishing pole as it looks like some great fishing along the canal that winds through the southern end.
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