The Spanish Moss Trail (sometimes referred to as the Beaufort Rail Trail or the Magnolia Line Trail) follows the former Port Royal Railroad that was constructed in 1870. The planned 13.6-mile scenic pathway will run through Beaufort County between Port Royal and Yemassee.
In November 2012, the first mile was completed, from Depot Road to Allison Road in Beaufort, the second-oldest city in South Carolina. It runs through a beautiful marsh and by several historical buildings, including the Beaufort Depot, built in 1901, which sits off Hermitage Road at the trail's northern end.
A year later, 2 more miles of trail were added. The extension seamlessly connects with the inaugural section at Allison Road and heads south through tree-lined neighborhoods to end at US 21/Ribaut Road in Port Royal. Subsequent phases have extended the trail north from Depot Road, through Burton, to Roseida Road.
Construction continues, and the trail has been extended 4 miles from Roseida Road to Clarendon Road in the near future.
Parking can be found along the trail's eastern side at Technical College of the Lowcountry (921 Ribaut Road). Along the southern half of the trail, three parking areas are available: at Broome Lane, Westvine Drive and Ribaut Road.