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10 must-try hiking trails in S.C. 🏔

When you think of great hiking, South Carolina probably doesn’t come to mind– but it should. S.C. has 400+ trails across the state, offering something for every type of hiker– whether you want to see cool waterfalls or rack up some serious miles.

At Girls Who Hike S.C., we encourage all women to check out the hiking fun S.C. has to offer.

Our top 10 trail recommendations:

🏞 Congaree National Park Trails

📍Hopkins, S.C. | 🚘 2 hours from CHS | 👟 Trail Distance: Various | Difficulty: Easy
Best Features: This is the only National Park in South Carolina. It features the largest, intact, old growth bottomland hardwood forest remaining in the Southeast, so it’s like walking back in time. All trails start at the visitors center + are well-marked. Once you leave the boardwalk, you will encounter a lot of fallen trees. So, although the altitude doesn’t change, you’ll get a great hurdles workout + see some cool root systems.

🏞 S.C. Foothills Trail

📍Upstate, with terminuses at Oconee + Table Rock State Parks | 🚘 4 hours from CHS | 👟 Trail Distance: 77 miles with 14 passages | Difficulty: Easy to strenuous
Best Features: This trail is great for overnight trips to the Blueridge Foothills. There are several beautiful waterfalls + a section of the trail follows the S.C./N.C. state line. You also have a low chance of seeing others on the trail, so it’s a great way to enjoy nature + connect with your hiking companions.

🏞 Rim the Gap Loop

📍Jones Gap State Park, SC | 🚘 4 hours from CHS | 👟Trail Distance: 10 miles | Difficulty: Difficult
Best Features: This trail is not for beginners + is one of the toughest in the state. You’ll wade through mountain streams, shimmy through weight watcher rock, + see lots of untouched nature. You can do this as a day hike, or reserve a trailside campsite to turn this into a backpacking adventure.

🏞 Peachtree Rock Heritage Preserve

📍 Lexington, S.C. | 🚘 2 hours from CHS | 👟 Trail Distance: 7.5 miles | Difficulty: Easy
Best Features: This 306-acre refuge is dedicated to the protection of some unique sandstone formations. You’ll also see the only naturally occurring waterfall in the Midlands– a 20-foot drop into Hunt Creek.

🏞 High Hills of Santee Passage

Photo provided by the Palmetto Conservation Foundation.

📍 Wedgefield, SC | 🚘 1 hour + 35 minutes from CHS | 👟 Trail Distance: 9 miles | Difficulty: Easy to moderate
Best Features: Located in the heart of the Sandhills geographic region, this trail takes you through prehistoric shorelines. You’ll also see some mountain laurel, an unusual sight so far from the mountains. This trail will give you some moderate ups + downs to balance your flat, coastal hikes.

🏞 West Ashley Greenway

📍Charleston, SC | 🚘 10-30 minutes from CHS | 👟 Trail Distance: 10 miles | Difficulty: Easy
Best Features: If you're looking for an easy nature fix in the middle of your week– this is the trail for you. The West Ashley Greenway is an out & back walking/biking path located in the heart of Charleston.

🏞 Wannamaker North Trail

📍 North Charleston, S.C. | 🚘 30 minutes from CHS | 👟 Trail Distance: 13 miles | Difficulty: Easy
Best Features: This 13-mile trail is designed for mountain bikers, but is also open to hikers. The mountain bike design will give even an experienced hiker a challenge as you watch your footing. This is also great for breaking in new boots before you head to the mountains.

🏞 Caw Caw Interpretive Trail

📍Ravenel, SC | 🚘 30 minutes from CHS | 👟 Trail Distance: 6 miles | Difficulty: Easy
Best Features: Best known for its birds, this is a great family-friendly trail. There are several trails that can be mixed & matched into various hike distances.

🏞 Awendaw Passage– Palmetto Trail

📍 Awendaw, S.C. | 🚘 45 minutes from CHS | 👟 Trail Distance: 7.1 miles | Difficulty: Easy
Best Features: Starting at the southern terminus, you’ll pass through maritime forests + sweeping vistas of Lowcountry salt marsh along Awendaw Creek. At Walnut Grove, look for a scenic overlook + boardwalk.

🏞 Old Santee Canal Park

📍Moncks Corner, SC | 🚘 45 minutes from CHS | 👟 Trail Distance: 4 miles | Difficulty: Easy
Best Features: Walk along America’s first canal + soak up the sights of the Cooper River. This trail is mostly a boardwalk along the remaining portion of the Santee Canal built in 1800. Bonus– there are some historic buildings you can explore while you’re there.

Girls Who Hike started two years ago + spread to S.C. last fall. We are helping hundreds of women across S.C. hit the trail by hosting official hikes every month + connecting members to other hiking-minded women.

Here in Charleston, we are partnering with Half Moon Outfitters to host a Women’s Hiking 101 Class on April 14, + later this month, we will have a hike at Caw Caw.

Learn more about any of these 10 trails on S.C.’s official trail guide.

Happy Trails,

– Kailani, Stacy, LeAnn, Brice, + Tara
Girls Who Hike S.C. Ambassadors

+ the CHStoday team