This summer, reconnect with nature! South Carolina’s Old 96 District—encompassing the counties of Abbeville, Edgefield, Greenwood, Laurens, and McCormick—is a hidden gem for outdoor enthusiasts. The Old 96 District boasts 3 lakes, 6 State Parks, and over 250 miles of hiking and biking trails, with striking views and historic landmarks aplenty. With so much ground covered, a trail exists for every type of hiker and biker, making it the perfect place to get the blood flowing during the winter months and experience the great outdoors. Here are some highlights from their ten best trails, so you can see which one is calling your name this summer:
Best View
Lakeview Trail-Hickory Knob State Resort Park
Length: 6.7 Miles
Difficulty: Difficult
This is a trail optimized for mountain bikes, but for those who are up to the challenge, the views are definitely worth the climb. From promontories on the hillsides, experience panoramic views of Lake Thurmond. Located on Hickory Knob State Resort Park in South Carolina, you can easily make a weekend out of it and enjoy the other nearby amenities.
Best Picnic
Lake Rabon Park
Length: 2.5 miles round trip
Difficulty: Easy
This hike has lots of outdoor activities nearby, including a boat ramp and fishing pier. Eat in a picnic shelter or on the grass by the lake—perfect for a romantic dinner in nature.
Best for Endurance Training
Forks Area Trail System (FATS)
Length: 34 miles total (made up of different loops)
Difficulty: Moderate
A short trail introduces the terrain of the FATS before splitting into different loops, each a different length ranging from 4 to nearly 7 miles, or 34 miles total. Hikers can pick which loops they feel most equipped for, adding distance as their endurance grows. This system makes it easy to build your stamina without having to find several different hiking trails.
Best for Newbies
Beaver Run Trail-Hickory Knob State Resort Park
Length: 2.5 Miles
Difficulty: Easy
This trail is a great starter trail. It’s long enough to feel satisfied but not too long for a beginner. The trail dips down to the edge of Lake Thurmond and enters a floodplain forest, with a variety of plant life to entice those exploring the local flora and fauna.
Best for Families
Cherokee Path- Ninety Six National Historic Site
Length: 1.5 Miles
Difficulty: Easy
The Cherokee Trail at the Ninety Six National Historic Site in Ninety Six, SC is more than just a hiking trail. It is the site of a very important Revolutionary War battle at the once-proud Star Fort. The trail—once a direct path for traders and travelers—now weaves through these landmarks. Younger hikers can explore as they go and get up close with history, keeping them engaged through the entire hike.
Best Town Trail
Ten Governors Rail Trail
Length: 1 mile linear, 2 miles round trip
Difficulty: Easy
Starting with a boardwalk over Slade Lake in Edgefield, SC, the Ten Governors trail invites visitors to wander past historic homes and monuments to each of the ten SC governors that hail from Edgefield county.
Best for Plant Lovers
Stevens Creek Heritage Preserve
Length: 1.9 mile loop
Difficulty: Moderate
A companion to a much longer and more difficult hiking trail, the Stevens Creek Heritage Preserve is home to fifteen rare and several endangered flowers and plants. The area’s unique bedrock makes it one of only two places on Earth (the other being the Florida panhandle) the Miccosukee Gooseberry grows natively.
Best Historic Trail
Battlefield Trail- Musgrove Mill State Historic Site
Length: 1.5 miles one-way
Difficulty: Easy
This trail begins at an ADA boardwalk and leads to an overlook at Horseshoe Falls. Wander alongside a Revolutionary War battlefield, with interpretive waysides sharing the story of the 1780 Battle of Musgrove Mill. If you want even more history for your fix, the British Camp Trail is another exciting trail for history enthusiasts.
Ready for more trail inspiration? Check out the Top Ten Trails in the Old 96 District or view the full list. Make a weekend out of your hiking trip by staying in a nearby hotel, inn, B&B, or campsite! We can’t wait to see what Unexpected Wonders you will discover!
