Lace up your hiking boots. We’ve compiled a curated hiking guide for the Charleston areawith 10 trails and routes to help you plan your next adventure.

Key: Easy = 🥾 | Moderate = 🥾🥾 | Hard = 🥾🥾🥾

Picture-perfect views

West Ashley Greenway, Albemarle Road

Difficulty: 🥾
Length: 10.5 miles out and back
Wheelchair accessible: Portions
Pet-friendly: Yes (leashed)

The West Ashley Greenway is a partially paved trail with water views that are great for walking your dog.

Daniel Island Trail, 101 River Landing

Difficulty: 🥾
Length: 3.2 miles
Wheelchair accessible: Yes
Pet-friendly: Yes (leashed)

Enjoy a peaceful trek along the Wando River. With scenic water views, shaded stretches, and chances to spot wildlife like herons and dolphins. It’s perfect for a relaxing outing.

Take a peaceful stroll. | Photo provided by @explore.chs.sc

Best for a workout

James Island County Perimeter Trail, 871 Riverland Dr.

Difficulty: 🥾
Length: 3.5-mile loop
Wheelchair accessible: Portions
Pet-friendly: Yes (leashed)

Go for a jog with your running buddy on this trail around James Island that's open year-round.

I'On Village Walk, North Shelmore Boulevard, Mount Pleasant

Difficulty: 🥾
Length: 2-mile loop
Wheelchair accessible: No
Pet-friendly: Yes (leashed)

This easy route in the I'On neighborhood includes sites like the Rookery Wildlife Refuge and Mt. Pleasant Amphitheater.

Wildlife walks

Experience the beauty of Laurel Hill County Park’s unpaved trails, featuring moss-draped oaks and peaceful views. | Photo provided by @blushingalpacas

Laurel Hill County Park Loop, 1251 Park West Blvd., Mount Pleasant

Difficulty: 🥾
Length: 5.1-mile loop
Wheelchair accessible: Yes
Pet-friendly: Yes (leashed)

Follow this dirt path with your furry friend on a leash through Laurel Hill County Park.

Charles Towne Landing Historic Site Trail, 1500 Old Towne Rd.

Difficulty: 🥾
Length: 2-mile loop
Wheelchair accessible: Yes
Pet-friendly: Yes (leashed)

This trail offers scenic views of the Ashley River and is popular for bird watching, walking, and biking.

Palmetto Islands County Park Marsh Trail, 444 Needlerush Pkwy., Mount Pleasant

Difficulty: 🥾
Length: 0.9-mile loop
Wheelchair accessible: Portions
Pet-friendly: Yes (leashed)

Grab your friends, lace up your sneakers, and go for a 15-minute walk on this open-year-round loop.

Stono River County Park, 3580 McLeod Mill Rd., Johns Island

Difficulty: 🥾
1.5-mile out-and-back
Wheelchair accessible: Yes
Pet-friendly: Yes (leashed)

This trail winds through marshes and along the Stono River, offering beautiful views, a quiet island boardwalk, and plenty of open sky. Great for walking, birdwatching, and enjoying the Lowcountry’s natural beauty.

Waterside wanders

Folly Beach County Park Path, 1100 W. Ashley Ave., Folly Beach

Difficulty: 🥾
Length: 1.1 miles out and back
Wheelchair accessible: Beach accessibility info
Pet-friendly: Yes (leashed)

Explore Folly Beach on this ~20-minute walk and enjoy ocean views.

Seeing the Morris Island Lighthouse during your walk is a treat. | Photo provided by @joshfischerphotography

Morris Island Lighthouse Trail, 1739 E. Ashley Ave., Folly Beach

Difficulty: 🥾
Length: 0.8 mile out and back
Wheelchair accessible: Portions
Pet-friendly: No

Walk along a colorful graffiti-covered road to Lighthouse Inlet Heritage Preserve for views of Morris Island Lighthouse.

Get the right gear

Get the most out of your trip with comfortable, handy, and helpful hiking gear:

For the best footwear, check out Nordstrom Rack’s sneaker edit for hiking.
If your trail demands a proper hiking boot, we like Columbia’s collection on Amazon.
Travel light (but still have room for snacks) with lululemon’s Everywhere Belt Bag.
Get a good bulk deal on Perfect Bars, Clif Bars, or Kind Bars at a warehouse store like Sam’s Club.
Don’t forget to bring a compact, portable phone charger (you’ll thank us later).
We like this Teton hiking backpack.
We like this lightweight water bottle.
Psst — to be ultra-prepared, here are the 10 items you should never enter a national park without, according to the National Park Service.