Top Scenic Trails in South Carolina’s Olde English District
Explore some of the best hiking trails in South Carolina at the most beautiful parks in the Olde English District. These scenic trails will immerse you in peaceful nature and offer stunning views of the OED’s natural wonders. Discover the top trails hidden in our nine state parks and the five counties that make up the Olde English District.
Scenic Trails in York County, South Carolina
At Anne Springs Close Greenway in York County, you will find a 36-mile-long trail system. The Greenway’s most popular hike is the Lake Haigler Loop, which features some of the best scenery of Lake Haigler. There are nature trails, historic trails, and guided hikes that you can explore throughout Greenway. For a more difficult hike with some history, head to Kings Mountain State Park. The Kings Mountain Hiking Trail is a 16-mile hike that takes you through rolling hills and hardwood forests with great views of mountain ranges. The state park offers family-friendly hikes with immersive education on its Nature Trail and Living History Farm Trail. There are plenty of hiking trails in York County to satisfy outdoor lovers of all ages.
Scenic Trails in Lancaster County, South Carolina
For a different setting, visit the Lindsay Pettus Greenway in Lancaster. The experience on the Greenway is filled with fun and features two public art tunnels, environmental interpretive signs and educational programming. The Lindsay Pettus Greenway is a hard surface trail that is ADA-accessible and allows cycling along the trail. Enjoy a run, walk, or ride through the beautiful tree canopy and look for local wildlife on this accessible trail in Lancaster, South Carolina.
Scenic Trails in Kershaw County, South Carolina
You can find calm waters and rich wildlife at Goodale State Park, one of the most underrated state parks in South Carolina. By land, you can explore the native flora and fauna on the 2-mile Nature Trail loop. By paddle, you can ride from Adams Mill Pond to Pine Tree Creek on their 3-mile canoe (or kayak) trail that takes you through blackwater and a forest of bald cypress trees. No trip to Kershaw is complete without a visit to Goodale State Park.
Scenic Trails in Chesterfield County, South Carolina
Cheraw State Park features some of the best of South Carolina’s outdoors. With a stunning 18-hole championship golf course and a family-friendly beach at Lake Juniper, Cheraw State Park is an OED favorite. The park’s popular Boardwalk Trail takes you onto the lake and ends with a relaxing “waterfall effect” near the Lake Juniper Dam. Don’t forget to check out the Cheraw Nature Trial, Turkey Oak Trail and Cheraw Mountain Bike Trail during your visit. Once you’re ready to call it a day, catch a $5 movie at The Ball Theatre or grab a scoop at Polly’s Coffee & Ice Cream Shoppe in Chesterfield County.
Scenic Trails in Chester County, South Carolina
In Chester State Park is the Caney Fork Falls Nature Trail, a 1.3-mile that runs against the shores of the park’s 160-acre lake. Make sure to check out the 472-foot bridge over the lake for breathtaking views and a great place for spotting wildlife. You can visit another local favorite at Landsford Canal State Park. Follow the banks of the Catawba River on the Landsford Canal Trail, an easy 1.5-mile long trail that ends at a scenic overlook where you can see the Rocky Shoals Spider Lilies when in bloom. Chester is full of natural wonders to explore on your trip to the OED.
Scenic State Trails in the Olde English District
The Palmetto Trail, is one of the longest trail systems in South Carolina. This scenic trail winds its way through the Olde English District with sections in Union and Fairfield Counties. The Enoree Passage spans an uninterrupted 36 miles through Sumter National Forest, while the Peak to Prosperity Passage starts at the Alston trailhead and moves across the Broad River (Scenic Trail Tip: Catch the view here from the 1,100-foot-long bridge).
Scenic Bi-State Trails in the Olde English District
The Carolina Thread Trail system runs through much of the Olde English District and spans across 15 counties in North and South Carolina. An iconic route, the trail network connects hikers, paddlers and outdoor enthusiasts to a diverse mix of greenways, trails and blueways. The Carolina Thread Trail is an excellent resource for planning an extended outdoor adventure in the OED.
Take your pick of scenic trails and start planning your visit to the OED’s great outdoors!
