Nearby scenic trails provide ‘mini-vacations'

The beautiful natural areas that surround us are beckoning. That elusive feeling of calm and serenity we all need so badly is there waiting. With most travel vacations restricted by COVID-19 precautions, and with many areas closed to the public, these areas have remained open and sparsely visited. They’re all within an hour’s drive for the perfect “mini-vacation.”

 

Best short walk in the forest: The I’On Swamp Trail is an easy 2.5 mile walking loop in the Francis Marion Forest. Embankments, some from the 1700s, are remnants of the patchwork of fields built by enslaved people for rice cultivation. Easy and close by. To reach the trailhead, turn left exactly across Highway 17 from the Sewee

Education Center on to Forest Road 228 and drive 2 miles to the parking lot. 

 

Best place to spot birds and alligators: The South Tibwin trail is about 5 miles long, perfect for a short bike ride or long hike. Bird watchers from around the world come to this well managed area of hardwood bottomlands, pine uplands, tidal marshes and freshwater ponds. A scenic duck blind is an exciting place to spot alligators while you eat a picnic. From the Sewee Visitor and Environmental Education Center, take Highway 17 North toward McClellanville for 11.4 miles. Look for the forest sign and iron pipe gate on the right. 

 

Best walk for Lowcountry beauty: If you want to impress visitors or just need a little reminder of our gorgeous region, head to the Awendaw Canoe Launch (boat launch is under repair and closed as of this writing) at the end of Rosa Green Road in Awendaw. The trail meanders along Awendaw Creek, twisting back into the forest, over wooden bridges and ends at Buck Hall Landing, 5 miles away. It’s the most scenic section of the Palmetto Trail that I’ve found. Rest at one of the little benches along the creek and just breathe. You can walk as far as you’d like before doubling back, or put another car at Buck Hall and walk the whole 5 miles.

 

Best place to remember the Swamp Fox: The longest section of the Palmetto Trail, 47 miles, begins here. It traverses four ecosystems through the Francis Marion Forest including swamps that were hide-outs for Revolutionary War hero and the forest’s namesake, Francis Marion. It’s a bumpy bike ride or easy walk through mature long-leaf pine forests and grassy savannas. Walk or ride a while and then double back or put another car at Halfway Creek Campground, about 5 miles away. Take Highway 17 to intersection with Steed Creek Road (S-10-1032). Trailhead and parking are 0.25 miles north of Steed Creek Road.

 

Best place to be alone in nature: The huge ACE Basin has remained open to recreation throughout the pandemic and offers many options for biking and hiking. In particular, the trails that begin near Grove Plantation (building is closed) are easily accessible and scenic. Don’t miss the vine-covered old silos on Silo Road. From Charleston, drive south on Highway 17 to S.C. Highway 174. Go left and follow the signs to the ACE Basin Edisto Unit.  

 

Roadtrips Charleston highlights interesting destinations within a few hour’s drive of Charleston. For photographs and previous columns, visit peaksandpotholes.blogspot.com.