Hiking Columbia's Backyard

02/12/2018

08/11/2017

Looking for a new challenge on a new trail? Check out the Palmetto Expedition, a 50 mile hike in 20 hours, that benefits the Palmetto Conservation Foundation and SC state parks! Set on beautiful Lake Moultrie, this challenge is both difficult and attainable, with an alternative 26.2 mile in 10 hour option: Go to www.palmettoexpedition.com to find out more!

SC's Hiking Challenge for Fun and Charity

03/08/2017

Curious about the background of the Palmetto Trail? Check out this article for some interesting facts and figures. If your curiosity is piqued, head out onto the trail for what promises to be a beautiful weekend--find more information at hikecolumbia.wikidot.com

POMARIA — The Palmetto Trail is the Palmetto Conservation’s biggest imitative, according to Natalie Britt,executive

08/05/2017

Columbia may not be listed as a top "Foodie City" yet, but residents here know that there are plenty of unique and delicious places to eat! If you're looking for an adventure that works your legs AND your tastebuds, this route through downtown Columbia is the way to go.

02/04/2017

Today we "lit up" the Timmerman Trail blue for World Autism Awareness and Acceptance Day!!
Thanks to my brother Andrew for teaching me to pause and look up at the trees, to find comfort in the fresh air, and to sing with abandon under any sky.

26/03/2017

You can never go wrong on the Riverwalk! The trail is easy to access, flat, paved, and scenic. Explore it today at dusk (don't worry if it starts to get dark--it's well lit), or spend a lunch break this week out by the river.

From the State House: 5 minutesRegion: DowntownDistance: 2.7 miles one wayDifficulty: 1/5Amenities: Paved, parking, restrooms, playground, picnic tables, emergency call boxFees: NoneGPS: 34.00401 N / 81.05113 WParent Organization: The River Alliance

14/03/2017

11/03/2017

Last week we were talking about getting a hike in before a heat wave. This week, fit in a trek before tomorrow's wintry weather!! If you haven't been out to the Peak to Prosperity Passage of the Palmetto Trail yet, get out there and explore--it's beautiful out by the river! See our cover photo for a preview of the scenery.

From the State House: 36 minutesRegion: Dutch ForkDistance: 10.8 miles one wayDifficulty: 1/5Amenities: Camping, picnic tables, canoe launchFees: noneGPS: 34.24346 N / 81.31793 WParent Organization: Palmetto Conservation Foundation

04/03/2017

How about a hike while the weather is still cool? Spiderwoman II in Harbison State Forest is a great trail that offers a little more challenge than others in the forest.

From the State House: 22 minutesRegion: IrmoDistance: 3 milesDifficulty: 3/5Amenities: Parking, restroomFees: $5 parking passGPS: 34.09643 N / 81.12473 WParent Organization: Harbison State Forest

18/02/2017

Today's weather: mostly cloudy with a high of 71. It's a perfect day for a hike! Try out the Timmerman Trail for a nice walk through lowland woods. It is 3.5 miles, paved, and has very few hills. You don't want to miss the beautiful bridge spanning the creek--it's perfect for pictures.

From the State House: 14 minutesRegion: West ColumbiaDistance: 3.5 mile lollipopDifficulty: 2/5Amenities: Paved, parking, benches, lightedFees: NoneGPS: 33.94185 N / 81.04495 WParent Organization: SCANA/The River Alliance

14/02/2017

13/02/2017

The website is ready to go live! Next time you're looking for something fun to do, just visit Hiking Columbia's Backyard to access listings for countless outdoor adventure opportunities.

Please share with your friends and family so that they can use this new resource!

Looking for a day hike or even an overnight adventure? We've got you covered, with listings of dozens of trails within an hour's drive of the State House.

28/01/2017

This weekend's adventure: Saluda Shoals!

24/01/2017

The website is close to being up and running! Here's a preview.

17/01/2017

You probably know that Columbia has a National Park just down the road, but have you been? Today we explored wilderness lands that do not discriminate based on what people look like, what religion they practice, or how they act. Out among the trees, everyone is equal. We can thank Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., for the incredible equality of opportunity that all of us have to experience federal lands today- nondiscrimination in our National Parks is just one victory of many that the civil rights movement achieved.

24/12/2016

The holidays are a great time to enjoy the wealth of trails in the Columbia area with family and friends. I've personally been out hiking several trails in the last week, including the Timmerman Trail (Cayce), the Capital City Passage of the Palmetto Trail (Downtown), and the Stewardship Trail (Irmo). Look forward to more information about these trails when the website finally goes public--for now, enjoy a few pictures of my adventures! I hope they inspire you to get outside and play as well.

23/11/2016

We spent the morning exploring the many trails at Peachtree Rock Heritage Preserve. Every step I take in my hiking boots brings me closer to getting the website finished so that you all can use it! I've made a good bit of progress on the coding and hope to have some preview screenshots up in the next few days.

22/10/2016

Today's adventure: the Loop Trail at Sesquicentennial State Park! Where have you been enjoying the beautiful fall weather?

05/10/2016

Did some more research on foot today! Trail of the day was the Firebreak Trail out at Harbison State Forest. It's a meandering walk through a few different prescribed burn areas- we enjoyed it in today's cooler, overcast weather. In a few months, I'll have the website up so that you can easily access detailed information about this trail and many others!

27/08/2016

Today a friend and I did some trail research up at the Peak-to-Prosperity Passage of the Palmetto Trail. It was a hot day to get in eight miles of hiking, but we did it! Can't wait to get the website up and running so that everyone can benefit from the information I'm gathering on area trails. Look for more updates on my progress soon- thanks for following this page and supporting my efforts!