The Palmetto Trail is a 425 mile hiking and biking trail which starts in South Carolina's mountainous northwest and ends at its beautiful coast. When it is completed, it will be one of only a handful of cross-state trails in the United States. At the moment, the Palmetto Trail is two-thirds completed, and it offers nearly 315 miles of trails to the public across the state.
Because it is such a huge undertaking, the Palmetto Conservation Foundation has opted to build the Palmetto Trail in a series of individual passages, which will ultimately join together to create the trail as a whole. These passages pass through forests, beside lakes, across rivers, through historic sites, and even through towns. Passages are accessible for single-day or multi-day trips, making them perfect for whatever adventure you want to go on.
The Best Passages
There is a strong consensus among trail users that the passages available in Newberry County are some of the choicest available for both scenery and overall usability. There are currently two main passages open in this area: the Enoree Passage (formerly the Sumter Passage) and the Lynch's Woods Passage. Each offers moderate hiking conditions, horse riding trails, and primitive campsites.
The Enoree Passage
The Enoree Passage offers a continuous 36 miles of trail through Sumter National Forest. This scenic pine ridge lined trail crosses the Gilders and Indian creeks and joins up with the Buncombe Horse Trail for equestrian use. With ample fishing lakes, diverse woodland habitats, and several camp sites, the Enoree Passage provides trail users with some of the best hiking, biking, and horse riding on the entire Palmetto Trail. Be sure to pause on the 80 foot bridge spanning the Enoree River for a breathtaking view of the river and the surrounding woodlands.
The Enoree Passage starts at Forest Service Road 379, and ends at Sedalia Campground.
Lynch's Woods Passage
The Lynch's Woods Passage is a much shorter portion of the Palmetto Trail, but it offers access to a beautiful backdrop and a variety of trail options. The Palmetto Trail portion is three miles through Lynch's Woods Park, and it is available for hiking and equestrian use. Several other trails join up with this trail in the park, providing longer pathways for individual sports. The park itself features rest areas, picnic tables, and campgrounds, which help to make it the perfect spot to pause as you journey along the trail.
The Lynch's Woods Passage and its associated trails are located in Lynch's Woods Park, just off of State Route 219 just outside of the Newberry city limits.
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