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 city invested in fixing up this short but scenic pathway in 2018. Part of the city's efforts to create a sprawling network of trails called The Daniel Morgan Trail System (or, "The Dan" for short), the River Birch Trail was repaved and expanded to allow it to better serve the community. The trail provides a connection between the city's Main Street and the local high school, giving students a convenient path to walk or bike to school - running through the wooded land behind the school, the path also functions as a nice recreational spot, and connects on the southern end to the natural-surface Cottonwood Trail.
Parking is available off of Sydnor Road, just west of Dupre Drive, at the Spartanburg High School and Fernwood Pool.
River Birch Trail is an excellent, easy trail. It provides a nice, shady walk along the lazy river with beautiful views of nice homes on the other side. I highly recommend it!
The River Birch trail is a welcome addition to the Daniel Morgan trail system. Currently about a mile long from the bridge on Sydnor to the bridge on East Main Street. Will eventually connect to a section currently under construction through Whites Mill neighborhood. This will connect the River Birch trail to Drayton, essentially tripling the amount of trail and greatly increasing pedestrian and bike access.
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