Overview
This developing 12-foot-wide Spanish Moss Trail offers spectacular salt marsh vistas and coastal wildlife viewing as it meanders through neighborhoods and beautiful wetlands. There are historical points of interest along the rail trail, bringing together the natural beauty of the Low Country landscape with the area’s past.
Open year-round, sunrise to sunset, the trail attracts more than 100,000 people a year. It was named one of the country’s 10 Best Urban Walking Trails by Outside magazine and the Best Hiking Trail in the Palmetto State by Parade magazine.
Many visitors begin their journey by spending a night in the Beaufort–Port Royal area. Beaufort is the second-oldest city in South Carolina, with a large National Historic Landmark District to explore. The area offers wonderful local restaurants; shopping; and outdoor recreational experiences, including boating, paddleboarding, kayaking, fishing, and carriage tours.
About the Route
For the full experience of the trail, begin by parking at Clarendon Road— the northernmost trailhead. South of Clarendon Road, the trail weaves through wooded neighborhoods. Trail users may hear the buzz of fighter jets overhead, as the Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort is located nearby. There is one small tunnel under a commercial driveway that may be challenging to navigate due to its steepness. It is located directly across from Beaufort’s Greyhound bus station, 4.7 miles south of the Clarendon Road Trailhead. Otherwise, the trail is flat.
From the tunnel, the route reaches the most populated segment of the trail in 2.3 miles at the Depot Road Trailhead, which passes through an iconic 1901 warehouse structure. A half mile south of that trailhead, the trail crosses the Mather Trestle, a popular fishing and sunset-viewing spot. Continuing south 1.2 miles to the Broome Lane Trailhead, the path meanders through neighborhoods full of Spanish moss-draped live oaks and other tidal views. It is then 1.1 miles to the Westvine Trailhead. The trail continues south from there into the town of Port Royal, reaching its southern end in 0.3 miles at US 21/Ribaut Road.
Connections
The Spanish Moss Trail is part of the developing 3,000-mile East Coast Greenway, a network of trails extending from Maine to Florida.
The Spanish Moss Trail runs between Clarendon Rd. (Burton), where parking is available, and 1884 Ribaut Rd. (Port Royal).
Parking is also available at:
See TrailLink Map for all parking options and detailed directions.
This is a wide, all concrete trail & is in great shape. It’s getting a 3 star rating because it has some hazardous crossings on busy roads. At one crossing, although we had triggered the pedestrian crossing signal, we were almost hit by cars ignoring the red light for them. Be very cautious when using this trail. The south end of the trail is closed with a detour. The detour involved riding a very narrow sidewalk along a busy highway. There is not room to pass a pedestrian or another bike on the sidewalk. We turned around rather than continue. Not sure how long the detour will be in effect.
Very nice trail.
We love it! shady and paved ¿
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
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
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.
February 16, 2023: Started in Beaufort at the parking lot near the Depot. A water fountain was working; port-a potty was nearby, on the north side. Trail in very good shape. Not crowded and roadways were easy to cross. Very friendly locals. Beautiful scenery and waterfowl. Fighter jets in the north taking off from the Marine Base. After completing the trail, we drove to the Fish Camp Restaurant a short distance away in Port Royal on the water front. Can walk out on the pier. Fresh shrimp and oysters cooked to perfection. We loved every minute of the ride and
Paved and well marked. Several benches set up along the route for relaxing and viewing the tidal creeks and wildlife. Bathrooms are just a few port-a-potties set up….so plan accordingly. We ride the trail and then ride the city streets down to Waterfront Park and marina. These streets are wide with speed limit of 30MPH.
I love the historic markers. It’s fun to see the locals fishing on the trestles. The marsh is beautiful. I rode from beginning to end and back!
Beautiful, scenic, flat, with wide smooth concrete trail with some shade and great views. Not many other riders or people on the trail on a Saturday in mid June. Plenty of trailheads and parking, but few restrooms on trail (plenty of gas stations, convenience stores just off trail) Some newer hotels actually on the trail as it passes close to Hwy 21. Worth the trip if you’re in the Savannah area
Quiet scenic trail around Beaufort.
We parked along Bay View and jumped on our bicycles heading southwest thru Depot Rd taking the trail south passing by the train station and riding about 3 more miles. The trail is flat, clean and beautiful views! Easy level, perfect for families that just want to have fun biking. I hope Beaufort extends it through more neighborhoods.
10/9/21 Trail was closed near mile 5. Could see a truck and bulldozer. First time riding this trail and had no prewarning that it was closed. Will try it again one day.
I rode this trail 11 May 2021 on my Catrike. At that time there was no construction on the trail itself although it appeared that there may have been some minor work being done on one of the trailhead parking areas on the southern end. The trail is absolutely delightful. Super smooth, the trail is a full 12 feet wide with a nice center lane marking for the full length of the trail. The only bump on the entire trail was in the bottom of an underpass where there was a length of grating to allow drainage. They could have done a better job of matching the heights on that!
I was staying at a B&B on Bay Street about a mile from the Depot so that is where I got on the trail, by biking from my home away from home. Hitting the trail I headed north until I ran out of trail, then reversed course until I ran out of trail on the southern end, then reversed again back to my starting point at the Depot. By the time I got back to the B&B my GPS told me I had gone just over 25 miles., I didn’t see many military jets while on the trail but I certainly heard them. The trail goes quite close to Merrit Field, a Marine Corps Air Station, and they are quite active.
This trail is a must when in Beaufort SC. It’s wide and paved and scenic.