From quick and easy loops around town to paths that take you to marshes and beaches, our city has so many options to hit the trail. So lace up your boots, because we’ve compiled a trail guide for the Charleston area with routes and trails to help you plan your next adventure and experience breathtaking views.
Note: While parks and trails may be listed as open, we recommend checking park websites before visiting for further info, current trail conditions, and safest practices for the area.
Key: Easy = 🥾| Moderate = 🥾🥾 | Hard = 🥾🥾🥾
Charleston
West Ashley Greenway, Albemarle Road
- Difficulty: 🥾
- Length: 10.5 miles out and back
- Wheelchair accessible: Portions
- Pet-friendly: Yes
The West Ashley Greenway is a partially-paved trail with water views that’s great for walking your dog.
Charles Towne Landing Historic Site Trail, 1500 Old Towne Rd.
- Difficulty: 🥾
- Length: 2-mile loop
- Wheelchair accessible: Yes
- Pet-friendly: Yes
This trail offers scenic views of the Ashley River and is popular for birding, walking, and biking.
James Island County Perimeter Trail, 871 Riverland Dr.
- Difficulty: 🥾
- Length: 3.5-mile loop
- Wheelchair accessible: Portions
- Pet-friendly: Yes
Go for a jog with your running buddy on this trail around James Island that’s open year-round.
Mount Pleasant
I’On Village Walk, North Shelmore Boulevard, Mount Pleasant
- Difficulty: 🥾
- Length: 2-mile loop
- Wheelchair accessible: No
- Pet-friendly: Yes
This easy route in the I’On neighborhood includes sites like the Rookery Wildlife Refuge and Mt. Pleasant Amphitheater.
Laurel Hill County Park Loop, 1251 Park West Blvd., Mount Pleasant
- Difficulty: 🥾
- Length: 5-mile loop
- Wheelchair accessible: Yes
- Pet-friendly: Yes
Follow this dirt path with your furry friend on a leash through Laurel Hill County Park.
Palmetto Islands County Park Marsh Trail, 444 Needlerush Pkwy., Mount Pleasant
- Difficulty: 🥾
- Length: 0.9-mile loop
- Wheelchair accessible: Portions
- Pet-friendly: Yes
Grab your friends, lace up your sneakers, and go for a 15-minute walk on this open-year-round loop.
Folly Beach
Folly Beach County Park Path, 1100 W. Ashley Ave., Folly Beach
- Difficulty: 🥾
- Length: 1.1 mile out and back
- Wheelchair accessible: Beach accessibility info
- Pet-friendly: Yes
Explore Folly Beach on this ~20-minute walk and be treated to ocean views.
Morris Island Lighthouse Trail, 1739 E. Ashley Ave., Folly Beach
- Difficulty: 🥾
- Length: 0.8 mile out and back
- Wheelchair accessible: Portions
- Pet-friendly: No
Walk along a colorful graffitied road to Lighthouse Inlet Heritage Preserve for views of Morris Island Lighthouse.
Get the right gear
Get the most out of your trip with comfortable, handy, and helpful hiking gear:
- For the best footwear, check out Nordstrom Rack’s sneaker edit for hiking.
- If your trail demands a proper hiking boot, we like Columbia’s collection on Amazon.
- For apparel that’s both flattering and functional, we turn to small business Aesthetic Built. We love the oversized scuba hoodies for women and the muscle scallop tees for men.
- Travel light (but still have room for snacks) with lululemon’s Everywhere Belt Bag.
- Get a good bulk deal on Perfect Bars, Clif Bars, or Kind Bars at a warehouse store like Sam’s Club.
- Don’t forget to bring a compact, portable phone charger (you’ll thank us later).
- We like this Teton hiking backpack.
- We like this lightweight water bottle.
- Psst — to be ultra-prepared, here are the 10 items you should never enter a national park without, according to the National Park Service.
