Where Are the Best Bike Trails in Charleston, SC?

People in Charleston know it’s a great city for biking, hiking, and other outdoor activities. In this town, biking on main roadways is less recommended because of the congestion and lack of dedicated bike lanes. Luckily, some great bike trails do offer an escape from the city and ensure less risk of a close encounter by motor vehicle. To make your search for weekend fun easier, here are some of the best bike trails in Charleston.

North Wannamaker County Park

Address: Wannamaker County Park, 8888 University Blvd, North Charleston, SC 29406

North Wannamaker County Park is a peaceful, beautiful park in North Charleston, with its trails open to hikers, walkers, and runners. Inside the park is a paved two-mile loop. For mountain biking, head to the Wannamaker North Trail. Access this 13-mile trail designed for mountain bicyclists of all levels from Goose Creek and not the county park. Note that this trail is also open to pedestrians, so be on the lookout as you navigate the rapid elevation changes and tight turns. One of the nice things about this trail is that it loops, meaning you can ride it multiple times and really get familiar with the path without having to get back to a start point.

The park and trails are open daily from sunrise to sunset, and admission only costs $2 per person. In addition to the bike trails, the park’s perks include a splash pad, water park, dog park, and 18-hole disc golf course. For Gold Pass Members, admission to North Wannamaker County Park is free along with several other parks.

Marrington Plantation Trailhead

Address: Marrington Plantation Trailhead, Goose Creek, SC 29445

Marrington Plantation Trailhead offers 1,600 acres of wilderness perfectly adapted to outdoor recreation in Goose Creek out of Joint Base Charleston. Several great biking trails cater to different levels of experience: the red loop is the main trail, the blue trails are mostly used as shortcuts to get around the park, the yellow trails serve as technical parts for mountain biking, and more. For bikers, the Marrington Plantation Trail is a 12.6-mile loop trail rated moderate difficulty. On top of bikes and pedestrians, dogs and horses are able to use this trail, so feel free to come biking with your dog.

Before packing up and driving over, it is important to remember that this is land belongs to the Department of Defense, so those without a military ID will need to get a Marrington Patron Pass (which can be done at the Outdoor Adventure Center). The background check to receive the pass may take up to four weeks, so plan ahead. Trails are also closed when wet because of their low-lying nature, so check ahead if there has been a lot of rain.

Palmetto Islands County Park

Address: Palmetto Islands County Park, 444 Needlerush Parkway, Mount Pleasant, SC 29464

Palmetto Islands County Park in Mount Pleasant is a 943-acre park designed for biking, hiking, grilling, picnics, and more. On top of the trails, they offer amenities such as boardwalks, creek fishing, an observation tower, sand volleyball, horseshoes, a kayak launch point and rentals, and a seasonal water park. But back to biking!

If one or several members of your family or group don’t own a bike, Palmetto also offers bike rentals so everyone can get started. Most Palmetto trails are paved and less than 2 miles long, so it’s great for family biking or a day full of activities with friends or kids. That said, Palmetto may not serve your needs if you are looking for dirt biking or mountain biking trails.

Admission to the park is $2 but free for Gold Pass holders. The park’s other amenities include picnic areas, a boardwalk over the marshes, a waterpark, and a kayak launch.

West Ashley Greenway

A rail-to-trail, the West Ashley Greenway may be preferred by recreational and gravel bikers. The 10.5-mile paved pedestrian pathway runs from West Ashley to Folly Road near Stono County Park on a flat, out-and-back surface. A portion is paved, but large stretches are hard-packed gravel.

Biking in Charleston

Truthfully, biking in Charleston is what you make of it. There are many nearby parks and biking trails to explore, and if you’re looking for some new scenery, the beach is never far away with its designated and casual biking destinations.

Updated January 2024