This summer time, reconnect with nature! South Carolina’s Previous 96 District—encompassing the counties of Abbeville, Edgefield, Greenwood, Laurens, and McCormick—is a hidden gem for out of doors lovers. The Previous 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 lined, a path exists for each sort of hiker and biker, making it the right place to get the blood flowing in the course of the winter months and expertise the good outside. Listed below are some highlights from their ten greatest trails, so you may see which one is looking your title this summer time:
Finest View
Lakeview Path-Hickory Knob State Resort Park
Size: 6.7 Miles
Issue: Troublesome
It is a path optimized for mountain bikes, however for individuals 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. Situated on Hickory Knob State Resort Park in South Carolina, you may 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
Issue: Simple
This hike has a number 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 whole (made up of various loops)
Issue: Reasonable
A brief path introduces the terrain of the FATS earlier than splitting into completely different loops, every a unique size starting from 4 to just about 7 miles, or 34 miles whole. Hikers can choose which loops they really feel most geared up for, including distance as their endurance grows. This method makes it straightforward to construct your stamina with out having to seek out a number of completely different climbing trails.
Finest for Newbies
Beaver Run Path-Hickory Knob State Resort Park
Size: 2.5 Miles
Issue: 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 quite a lot of flowers to entice these exploring the native wildlife.
Finest for Households
Cherokee Path- Ninety Six Nationwide Historic Website
Size: 1.5 Miles
Issue: Simple
The Cherokee Path on the Ninety Six Nationwide Historic Website in Ninety Six, SC is greater than only a climbing path. It’s the website of a vital Revolutionary Conflict 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, preserving them engaged via the complete hike.
Finest City Path
Ten Governors Rail Path
Size: 1 mile linear, 2 miles spherical journey
Issue: 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
Issue: Reasonable
A companion to a for much longer and harder climbing path, the Stevens Creek Heritage Protect is dwelling to fifteen uncommon and several other endangered flowers and vegetation. The world’s distinctive bedrock makes it certainly one 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 Website
Size: 1.5 miles one-way
Issue: Simple
This path begins at an ADA boardwalk and results in an overlook at Horseshoe Falls. Wander alongside a Revolutionary Conflict battlefield, with interpretive waysides sharing the story of the 1780 Battle of Musgrove Mill. If you’d like much more historical past to your repair, the British Camp Path is one other thrilling path for historical past lovers.
Prepared for extra path inspiration? Try the High Ten Trails within the Previous 96 District or view the complete listing. Make a weekend out of your climbing journey by staying in a close-by lodge, inn, B&B, or campsite! We will’t wait to see what Sudden Wonders you’ll uncover!