On the Run
Nan Lloyd Nature Trail
This short circuit of the grounds at historic Honey Horn Plantation winds through natural maritime forest and past salt marsh, a barn and pasture that are home to two marsh ponies, a historic cemetery, flower gardens and more.
• Description: 1.1-mile loop; mix of single-track, gravel path, brief section of open field.
• Look for: Songbirds, osprey, marsh ponies.
• Heads up: Keep your eye out for small stumps and other obstacles on forest portions.
• Access and parking: Coastal Discovery Museum, 70 Honey Horn Drive, Hilton Head.
• Top tip: Go on a Tuesday morning and stop by a local farmer’s market.
• Info: coastaldiscovery.org
New River Linear Trail
Following the railbed of the now-defunct Seaboard Air Line Railway, this straight, flat, grassy route extends from the marshy banks of the New River to the southern reaches of Sun City Hilton Head, through cypress swamp and maple forest.
• Description: 5.2 miles, end to end; single-track on grass.
• Look for: Alligators and their young (not aggressive, but do not approach them closely) raptors, deer; interpretive signs.
• Heads up: Exposed to full sunlight for much of the day, so bring water.
• Access and parking: Dirt parking about nine miles south of Old Town Bluffton on S.C. 46, just over a mile past roundabout at New Riverside Drive.
• Top tip: The Town of Bluffton hopes to extend the trail in the future.
• Info: townofbluffton.sc.gov
Palmetto Bluff
The unimproved, multi-use River Road Trail takes you past century-old oaks, bluffs and May River landings at the 20,000-acre Palmetto Bluff residential and recreational preserve. (There are also several shorter, paved routes and an unimproved mountain-biking trail.)
• Description: 5.3 miles; varied rugged terrain
• Look for: Alligators, turkey, wood storks, deer
• Heads up: Passes by historic Barge and Moreland landings
• Access and parking: Follow S.C. 46 5.5 miles west of downtown Bluffton, turn left on Palmetto Bluff Road to main gate; tell guards you are going to use trails.
• Top tip: The annual December Buffalo Run features 10K, 30K, 50K and relay events.
• Info: palmettobluff.com
Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge
Formerly a private plantation and farm, Pinckney Island is now a 4,000-acre wildlife refuge where shore birds nest and alligators sun themselves on the banks of several freshwater ponds. Both grass and gravel roads snake through shady maritime forest and past salt marsh dense with shorebirds, offering the most extensive trail system in the area.
• Description: 14 miles total; gravel road, grass, single-track.
• Look for: Alligators (not aggressive, but do not approach them closely) herons, egrets, white-tailed deer, coyote, armadillo, songbirds (including the occasional rare painted bunting).
• Heads up: No restrooms or water available.
• Access and parking: Turn north off U.S. 278 between Hilton Head Island and Bluffton.
• Top tip: The refuge is always looking for volunteers.
• Info: fws.gov/refuge/pinckney-island
Victoria Bluff Heritage Preserve
This 977-acre forested preserve, part of South Carolina’s state-park system, features less-traveled, pine-needle-covered trails through thick maritime forests featuring saw palmetto, cabbage palm, oak, and longleaf and slash pine. • Description: 4-mile loop; dirt/duff trail with semi-developed cross path.
• Look for: Turkey, white-tailed deer, songbirds (vireo, flycatcher, tanager).
• Heads up: Low-lying trail can be soggy after rains; golden-orb spiders weave thick webs between off-trail trees.
• Access and parking: Turn north off U.S. 278 at Sawmill Road; parking area is approximately 1.25 miles west on right.
• Top tip: Cross Sawmill Road to access less-maintained trail leading to the Colleton River and Trask Landing.
• Info: stateparks.com/victoria_bluff_heritage_preserve_in_south_carolina.html
