Sesquicentennial State Park

Columbia, South Carolina

A 5-mile loop mountain bike trail in Sesquicentennial State Park near Columbia, well-marked and best when wet, with swimming, volleyball courts, soccer fields, bathrooms, and dogs on leash allowed.

Palmetto Trail (Gate 5)

Columbia, South Carolina

A winding singletrack passage of South Carolina's Palmetto Trail near Leesburg Road, well-marked with yellow flashes and surprisingly sand-resistant despite Columbia's sandy eastern soil.

Whippoorwill

Fun, fast-flowing singletrack in South Carolina that drains well after rain — not technical, just blazing-fast fun.

Riverwalk Canal

Columbia, South Carolina

A riverside greenway ride in Columbia following the canal — a bridge, a historic pumphouse, and sandy and paved paths alongside the water.

Poinsett State Park

A great network of singletrack trails running right through a camping area — easy to spend a couple of nights and ride directly from your campsite at Poinsett State Park.

Wateree Passage Of The Palmetto Trail

An easy-to-moderate trail through swamp, near-mountainous terrain, and eight trestles, reaching 230 feet — the highest point in the area — with views, hardwoods, cypress, wildlife, and rare mountain wildflowers.

The Knot

Fast descents, breathtaking drop-offs above Poinsett Park Lake, and plenty of climbing on a community-built trail in South Carolina.

Campbells Pond

A technical, root-and-rock-filled loop at Poinsett Park with route diversions on the way back, a Kamikaze dip, and the speedy Devil's Backbone section.

Killer Three Loop

Rolling singletrack through Manchester State Forest weaves among creeks, pine, hardwoods, and Spanish moss — a flat and flowy South Carolina mountain bike escape.

Red Loop

A rebuilt, more technical take on the former 'Hardcore' trail in Manchester State Forest, South Carolina, with pine, hardwoods, Spanish moss, and spring wildflowers.

Manchester State Park

A 7.5-mile shared-use loop through Manchester State Park with about 100 miles of surrounding forest trails — ride Sundays only during hunting season (October–December).

Harbison State Forest

Columbia, South Carolina

A 20-mile mountain bike trail system in Harbison State Forest near Columbia with well-marked beginner-to-intermediate trails — best on dry days, with dogs allowed, bathrooms available, and a $5/day or $25/year permit.

Saluda Shoals Park

Columbia, South Carolina

A multi-use trail in Saluda Shoals Park near Columbia mixing singletrack with greenway and power line roads — intense short climbs, rooty gullies, and a great night ride.

palmetto trail (peak to prosperity passage)

Little Mountain, South Carolina

A mostly doubletrack passage through Fairfield County crossing the impressive Broad River trestle, connecting the Alston trailhead west through South Carolina's Palmetto Trail.

Santee State Park

Santee, South Carolina

A great little trail loop making the most of flat terrain near I-95, with wide and tight singletrack through dense pines — wear your helmet for the low branches, not the falls.