The Palmetto Trail in Newberry County, South Carolina

“Palmetto Conservation Foundation”

The Palmetto Trail is a 500 mile South Carolina recreational trail that will eventually connect the mountains with the sea.  When finished, the trail will begin at Oconee State Park in the Upstate and end on the coast north of Charleston.  The Palmetto Trail will be a multipurpose trail designed for hikers, bikers, and equestrians, providing the area with access to active, healthy outdoor recreation. The idea will also foster tourism, business and economic development. A network of other trails will branch off of it.  Approximately 350 miles of trail is complete and open to the public.  It will connect to state and county parks, greenways, and city sidewalks and bike ways. It was designated a federal Millennium Legacy Trail.

A section of the Palmetto Trail in Newberry County is the Lynch’s Woods Passage, on the outskirts of the city of Newberry.  This three mile moderate section of trail goes through Lynch’s Woods Park.  Lynch’s Woods is a lovely upland forest containing loblolly pine, tulip poplar, hickory, and white oak trees.  Other spur trails within the park are open to hikers, mountain bikers, and equestrians.

The largest section of trail open in Newberry County is the Enoree Passage.  This 36 mile section runs through the Sumter National Forest and links Newberry, Laurens and Union counties.  The Enoree Passage is a moderately easy portion of trail that goes through hardwood forests and over pine ridges.  It crosses two major creeks, Gilders Creek and Indian Creek, and the Enoree River.  The 80 foot bridge over the river provides a great view.  The trail also passes three small fishing lakes:  Macedonia Lake, John’s Creek Lake, and Sedalia Lake. Hikers may observe wildlife along the trail such as deer, wild turkey and other birds.  There is also a beaver pond along the trail.  The Enoree Passage ties into the Buncombe Horse Trail and shares the trail for ten miles.  The northern trailhead of this section is at the Sedalia Campground in Union County, and the southern trailhead is on Franklin Road in Newberry County.

A third section of the Palmetto Trail in Newberry County is the Peak to Prosperity Passage.  Phase one is a 6.5 mile section that opened in 2009. It can be accessed a few miles east of Newberry in the town of Pomaria and runs to the town of Alston in Fairfield County.  This unique section of trail is a rail trail, located on right of way that was purchased from Norfolk Southern Railroad.  This is a scenic hike that crosses 14 wooden trestles over Crims Creek and an 1100 foot long bridge over the Broad River that provides a spectacular view.  Phase two of this passage will eventually include another 4.5 miles of rail trail.

Many people regularly enjoy the opportunity for exercise and recreation along the different sections of the Palmetto Trail. Newberry County residents and visitors eagerly await the completion of additional sections of the trail.