The Palmetto Trail — Your Backyard Adventure at Bulls Bay
7.1 miles of boardwalks, salt marshes, and ancient maritime forest. South Carolina's cross-state trail starts 5 minutes from your front door.
The Awendaw Passage — Where the Forest Meets the Sea
The Palmetto Trail is South Carolina's ambitious cross-state trail, a hiking corridor that will eventually connect the Blue Ridge Mountains to the Atlantic Ocean. The Awendaw Passage is the easternmost section — and arguably the most beautiful. It's a 7.1-mile route through the heart of Francis Marion National Forest, combining dense maritime forest canopy with sweeping salt marsh panoramas that make you feel like you've stepped into a nature documentary.
The trailhead sits just 5 minutes from Bulls Bay. Turn right on Doar Road — the trailhead is on the left. You can be on the trail before your coffee gets cold. That's not a metaphor. We timed it.
Whether you're a serious thru-hiker scouting sections of the Palmetto Trail or a family looking for a morning adventure in the woods, the Awendaw Passage delivers. There are boardwalk sections over tidal creeks, scenic overlooks with views that go on forever, and enough wildlife to keep your phone camera busy all day.
Trail Details at a Glance
Trail Highlights
- ✓Walnut Grove scenic overlook with panoramic marsh views
- ✓Island Creek boardwalk section over tidal wetlands
- ✓Salt marsh panoramas stretching to the horizon
- ✓Longleaf pine forests with towering canopy
- ✓Connection to the greater Palmetto Trail system
- ✓Extends all the way to the Appalachian Trail
Getting There from Bulls Bay
It's absurdly close. Turn right out of Bulls Bay onto Doar Road. The Awendaw Passage trailhead is on the left. Total drive time: about 5 minutes. You'll spend more time lacing up your hiking boots than you will getting there.
There's a small parking area at the trailhead — arrive early on weekends if you want a spot, though honestly, this trail is still one of the Lowcountry's best-kept secrets. You're more likely to see a wild turkey than another hiker.
What to Expect on the Trail
The trail starts under a dense maritime forest canopy — massive live oaks draped in Spanish moss, loblolly pines reaching for the sky, and a carpet of palmetto fronds rustling in the breeze. The air is cooler here, filtered through layers of green. It smells like the Lowcountry is supposed to smell — damp earth, salt air, pine needles.
As you move eastward, the forest opens up and the boardwalk sections begin. These elevated wooden paths carry you over tidal creeks and through salt marshes where the views stretch to the horizon. At high tide, the water comes right up under the boards. At low tide, you can see fiddler crabs by the thousands doing their little one-claw dance in the mud.
Bring your binoculars. Great blue herons stand statuesque in the shallows. Snowy egrets dart through the marsh grass. Red-tailed hawks circle overhead. If you're quiet (and lucky), you might spot deer browsing in the forest edge or a wild turkey strutting through the undergrowth.
The Walnut Grove overlook is the crown jewel — an elevated platform with 360-degree views of the salt marsh. This is where you stop, catch your breath, and realize why people fall in love with the Lowcountry. It's the kind of view that makes you consider quitting your job and moving to Awendaw. (We may be speaking from experience.)
Trail Tips from the Locals
Bug Spray Is Not Optional
This is the Lowcountry. The mosquitoes here are the size of small birds and they are HUNGRY. Apply liberally and reapply after sweating. DEET is your friend. We're not being dramatic — we're being helpful.
Water, Water, Water
There's no water source on the trail. Bring at least a liter per person, more in summer. The humidity will make you sweat like you've never sweated before, even in spring.
Timing Is Everything
Early morning and late afternoon are best. You'll avoid the worst heat, see more wildlife, and get the most dramatic light on the marshes. Mid-day in summer is not recommended unless you enjoy heat stroke.
Watch the Weather
The trail can get muddy after rain, especially the packed-earth sections. Boardwalks can be slippery when wet. Check the forecast and wear appropriate footwear — this isn't a flip-flop trail.
Sun Protection
The boardwalk sections have zero shade. Hat, sunscreen, and sunglasses are essential. The Lowcountry sun is deceptively strong, even in the cooler months.
Dogs Welcome
Leashed dogs are allowed on the trail. Bring water for your pup too — they'll need it. The boardwalk sections can get hot on paws in summer, so plan accordingly.
More Trails Near Bulls Bay
The Awendaw Passage is just the beginning. Here's what else is in your backyard.
Wappetaw Trail
6-mile loopTurn right on Doar Road, trailhead on the left. This loop takes you through Awendaw Town Park and back via Shell Ring Road. A solid morning hike with diverse terrain — forest, marsh edge, and a stretch along the road.
Sewee Shell Ring Trail
1-mile boardwalkA short but historically rich boardwalk loop through maritime forest to one of the oldest shell rings on the Eastern Seaboard — over 4,000 years of human history in one mile. Perfect for kids or a quick evening walk.
Ion Swamp Trail
1-mile out-and-backA historic trail dating back to the 1700s, weaving through wetland habitat. Excellent birding — warblers, woodpeckers, and the occasional barred owl calling from the canopy. The interpretive signs add fascinating context.
Nebo Trail
1-mile loopA quick loop through oak-tupelo bottomland forest starting at the Sewee Visitor Center. Perfect paired with a visit to the Center's Red Wolf enclosure and exhibits. Great for families with little ones.
More Bulls Bay Guides
After a Day on the Trails, Cool Off in Bulls Bay's Saltwater Pool
Hike 7 miles through the forest, then float in a heated pool surrounded by 6 acres of maritime wilderness. That's the Bulls Bay lifestyle.