This summer season, reconnect with nature! South Carolina’s Outdated 96 District—encompassing the counties of Abbeville, Edgefield, Greenwood, Laurens, and McCormick—is a hidden gem for out of doors fanatics. The Outdated 96 District boasts 3 lakes, 6 State Parks, and over 250 miles of climbing and biking trails, with hanging views and historic landmarks aplenty. With a lot floor coated, a path exists for each kind of hiker and biker, making it the right place to get the blood flowing in the course of the winter months and expertise the nice outside. Listed below are some highlights from their ten greatest trails, so you’ll be able to see which one is looking your title this summer season:
Finest View
Lakeview Path-Hickory Knob State Resort Park
Size: 6.7 Miles
Problem: Tough
This can be a path optimized for mountain bikes, however for many who are as much as the problem, the views are undoubtedly well worth the climb. From promontories on the hillsides, expertise panoramic views of Lake Thurmond. Positioned on Hickory Knob State Resort Park in South Carolina, you’ll be able to simply make a weekend out of it and benefit from the different close by facilities.
Finest Picnic
Lake Rabon Park
Size: 2.5 miles spherical journey
Problem: Simple
This hike has plenty of out of doors actions close by, together with a ship ramp and fishing pier. Eat in a picnic shelter or on the grass by the lake—good for a romantic dinner in nature.
Finest for Endurance Coaching
Forks Space Path System (FATS)
Size: 34 miles complete (made up of various loops)
Problem: Reasonable
A brief path introduces the terrain of the FATS earlier than splitting into totally different loops, every a unique size starting from 4 to almost 7 miles, or 34 miles complete. Hikers can choose which loops they really feel most geared up for, including distance as their endurance grows. This technique makes it straightforward to construct your stamina with out having to seek out a number of totally different climbing trails.
Finest for Newbies
Beaver Run Path-Hickory Knob State Resort Park
Size: 2.5 Miles
Problem: Simple
This path is a good starter path. It’s lengthy sufficient to really feel glad however not too lengthy for a newbie. The path dips right down to the sting of Lake Thurmond and enters a floodplain forest, with a wide range of plants to entice these exploring the native natural world.
Finest for Households
Cherokee Path- Ninety Six Nationwide Historic Web site
Size: 1.5 Miles
Problem: Simple
The Cherokee Path on the Ninety Six Nationwide Historic Web site in Ninety Six, SC is greater than only a climbing path. It’s the web site of a vital Revolutionary Battle battle on the once-proud Star Fort. The path—as soon as a direct path for merchants and vacationers—now weaves via these landmarks. Youthful hikers can discover as they go and rise up shut with historical past, holding them engaged via your entire hike.
Finest City Path
Ten Governors Rail Path
Size: 1 mile linear, 2 miles spherical journey
Problem: Simple
Beginning with a boardwalk over Slade Lake in Edgefield, SC, the Ten Governors path invitations guests to wander previous historic properties and monuments to every of the ten SC governors that hail from Edgefield county.
Finest for Plant Lovers
Stevens Creek Heritage Protect
Size: 1.9 mile loop
Problem: Reasonable
A companion to a for much longer and harder climbing path, the Stevens Creek Heritage Protect is house to fifteen uncommon and a number of other endangered flowers and vegetation. The realm’s distinctive bedrock makes it one in every of solely two locations on Earth (the opposite being the Florida panhandle) the Miccosukee Gooseberry grows natively.
Finest Historic Path
Battlefield Path- Musgrove Mill State Historic Web site
Size: 1.5 miles one-way
Problem: Simple
This path begins at an ADA boardwalk and results in an overlook at Horseshoe Falls. Wander alongside a Revolutionary Battle battlefield, with interpretive waysides sharing the story of the 1780 Battle of Musgrove Mill. If you would like much more historical past to your repair, the British Camp Path is one other thrilling path for historical past fanatics.
Prepared for extra path inspiration? Try the High Ten Trails within the Outdated 96 District or view the complete listing. Make a weekend out of your climbing journey by staying in a close-by resort, inn, B&B, or campsite! We will’t wait to see what Surprising Wonders you’ll uncover!
