The South’s moderate climate, albeit warm on summer days, makes it ideal for hiking any time of year. Fall might be the most ideal though, with comfortable temps, changing leaf colors, and the scurry of wildlife before winter settles in. The Palmetto Trail practically beckons hikers and backpackers to find their way along numerous paths exploring what nature has to offer.
What began in 1994 as a project under the Palmetto Conservation Foundation, the Palmetto Trail has continued to flourish and grow. Currently at 380 miles, the Trail is still underway with anticipation of completion in the next decade. “I’ll be optimistic and say 5-10 years,” said Mary Roe, Palmetto Trail Executive Director. “It will be a little over 500 miles once complete. From the mountains to the sea.” The Trail offers 31 passageways with varying lengths for backpackers and hikers. Distances vary from 1.3 to 47 miles in length. Some passageways allow access for mountain bikes, horseback riding, and primitive camping. Roe mentioned the Peak to Prosperity Passageway, a rail-to-trail path, that has several campsites. No reservations are required, as the campsites are first come first served.
The individual passages offer different degrees of difficulty, including easy, moderate, and strenuous trails. “The Upstate trails will be the hardest because of the higher elevation,” Roe said. “The Midland and Lowcountry passages are easier, our website indicates the level of difficulty for all passages.” The passageways allow free access and are open every day of the year. Some sights along the way include the Blue Ridge Mountains, two suspension bridges at Eastatoe Creek in the Upstate area, greenways, Intracoastal waterway, lakes, forests, state parks, and a National Forest. “It showcases the beauty of our diverse regions of South Carolina from the Midlands to the Lowcountry,” Roe commented.
As for wildlife, hikers might see snakes, bears, birds, and deer among others. Birding is very popular. For those wanting less wildlife, two urban trails in Newberry and Columbia go through neighborhoods. Hikers can earn patches based on their Trail hiking accomplishments. The Palmetto Trail Passage Hiker patch is designed for those who have hiked the entire Trail over time, not in any specific order or timeframe. The Palmetto Trail Thru-Hiker patch is for hikers who have completed the entire Trail in one continuous stretch. For more details and to apply for either patch, visit palmettoconservation.org.
Michael Thigpen is an avid Palmetto Trail hiker. “I have learned so much about our state during the past few years of hiking along the Palmetto Trail. I am a native South Carolinian, but the Trail has given me opportunities and the incentive to explore areas of the state that I may never have seen otherwise,” he said. “From the mountains to the sea, urban areas, small towns, fields, and forests are opened up for exploration and discovery.” He said he is a passage hiker who hikes parts of the Trail as he has time. “One day I would like to make a thru-hike from Oconee to Awendaw,” Thigpen said. “One of the great features of the Trail is that it can be enjoyed by people of many different abilities and fitness levels, people with just a few hours to spare, all the way to those who plan to walk for several weeks, and everything in between.”
Michael and his wife Melissa, participated in an event last year in 2022 he referred to as 22 in 22. “As inspiring as the landscape is along the Palmetto Trail, the Trail is made even more special by the stewards who make hikers feel welcome,” he said. “Programs such as the recent 22 in 22 encourage residents and visitors alike to get outside and enjoy the natural resources that South Carolina offers.” He explained that the 22 in 22 event allowed registered participants to hike two passages each month, which could be any passage they chose and any length. Once 22 were completed, the hikers could get a patch and a certificate.
Other events are also held for those interested in learning more about the Trail or for those just wanting to be involved. Look for trail runs, guided hikes, adventure weekends for women, and once-a-month trail talks held after business hours. Volunteers are a crucial part of keeping the Trail maintained. Some volunteers who come out to help are work-related, others with non-profit organizations, families who want to lend a hand, and some are retirees. There are a couple of volunteer opportunities to help on the Trail. One volunteer opportunity is a Passage Monitor who watches out for any issues on a designated area of the Trail and then writes a report for later follow-up. Another volunteer option is known as Passage Pals who participate in hands-on projects to assist with Trail needs, like lopping, picking up trash, and raking.
Frank Canning is a volunteer, who got involved with the Trail five years ago after walking a half marathon in the Croft State Park. “When you volunteer for the Trail, you are taken to places to do things and meet people you would never have known about,” Canning said. “You can be clearing fallen trees in a remote part of the Trail upstate or helping to build a trestle in the Francis Marion Forest.” Volunteering has its rewards. “After a day of clearing underbrush and removing fallen trees, you come off the trail hot, tired, sweaty, muddy…and feeling oh so good,” he said. “The Trail gives back to you…the gift of fitness, observing nature, history lessons, and meeting interesting people along the way.”
Suggestions for Trail hikers:
- Carry a water bottle to stay hydrated.
- Review the Trail map before venturing out.
- Keep pets on a leash and clean up waste.
- Be aware of hunting season.
Getting outdoors has its perks. As the well-known naturalist John Muir once said, “In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks.”