The Palmetto Trail is a walking and bike path which currently extends through 12 South Carolina counties, running roughly through the center off the state from Oconee County down to Charleston County. Now 235 miles long, plans are in place for it to eventually stretch 425 miles. The trail consists of consists of 23 local segments, called passages, with Spartanburg County having the largest number by far.
The Palmetto Trail is made up of a variety of trail types – from urban bike trails and greenways to Revolutionary War battlefields, and in fact connects many trails that already existed. Once completed, it will be one of only 16 cross-state trails in the country.
First conceived in 1994 by the Palmetto Conservation Foundation, the Palmetto trail is a federally-designated Millennium Legacy Trail. The images below represent various passages along the trail.
Palmetto Trail – Croft Passage
The Croft Passage of the Palmetto Trail runs through Camp Croft State Park, located near downtown Spartanburg. The park takes its name from Camp Croft, a United States army camp used to train 60,000 soldiers during World War II.
The bridge shown here – which forms part of Croft Passage – holds the distinction of being the longest footbridge in any South Carolina state park. It crosses Fairforest Creek.
Palmetto Trail – Peak to Prosperity Passage
This historic railroad bridge is part of the Peak-to-Prosperity Passage in Newberry County. Built in 1890, it crosses the Broad River. An earlier bridge was intentionally burned by Confederate troops during the Civil War to slow the advance of General Sherman’s troops.
Palmetto Trail – High Hills of Santee Passage
This 9.4-mile passage of the Palmetto Trail starts in Poinsett State Park in Sumter County. Its name comes from its location within the “Sand Hills” – a geographical region of the state that sits on a prehistoric shoreline. This former ocean coast once dominated central South Carolina and Georgia.
Curious, the steel bridge from Peak to Prosperity indicates it was built in 1890. There is a plaque on the bridge that clearly states 1904. I’m sure [this was] the completion year, but [did it take] 14 years?
We love this trai and have seen a lot of wildlife on it. Anytime of year it is beautiful. Wear sturdy trekkers or hiking boots…the granite gravel is a challenge for your feet. Hopeing for a dayhike on Christmas Eve 2012. Great place for lunch in Prosperity at the Frawg Café (lunch till 2 & breakfast 6-10.) We have hiked on the Peak-Prosperity Passage at least eight times or more. Enjoy!!
This was a nice trail, but it sure felt a long longer than 6.4 miles and the gravel on the trail made it that much harder. If you are not in good shape, don’t walk this trail. I still feel it in my feet and legs . We walked from the Alston trailhead to pomaria and back, the railroad trellis were the easiest to walk and you definitely need hiking boots for the gravel and the fact that you can break your ankle or leg very easily in tennis shoes.
Visited this trail last weekend it was GREAT, I really enjoyed it … they have done a WONDERFUL job!