The Benefits of Hiking & Hiking in The Lowcountry

We love exploring the Lowcountry and our beautiful state of South Carolina both on the water and on land. One of our favorite ways to explore, exercise, and clear our minds? Hiking! 

 

Welcome back to the blog adventurers! What exciting things have you been doing recently in the great outdoors? You don’t have to go farther than your own backyard for an adventure, but when you live in Charleston, SC, or come for a visit that means so much more. First off, the weather! While yes, it can still get chilly here in the southeast, the fact of the matter is that we can get outside more often in more comfortable temperatures and climates than many places in the country. With hundreds of miles of undeveloped estuary, we have the opportunity to explore and view some of the most stunning and special ecosystems in the United States and help save and protect the wildlife and plant life that has made its home here. With over 47 state parks in South Carolina, many of them in Charleston or a very short drive away, there are hundreds of miles of trails just waiting for you to enjoy.
Hiking is an incredible way to connect with nature and feel like you’re really apart of it. We love it so much that it has become an integral part of seven of our expeditions. We have three tours that specifically include a hike as part of your expedition and four that offer hiking as part of the overall experience. We have our Awendaw Creek Paddle and Hike, Bulls Island Paddle and Hike, and our Kiawah River Paddle and Hike.
  • Awendaw Creek Paddle and Hike: A 4-mile paddle along Awendaw Creek filled with black skimmers, kingfishers, oysters, fiddler crabs, and dolphins that you will enjoy before a 4.5-mile hike along the Palmetto Trail known as the Awendaw Passage. The hike will be filled with a unique tutelage of local flora and fauna along with a discussion about the history of the region.
  • Bulls Island Paddle and Hike: This is one of the best ways to explore the Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge. It begins with a guided kayak tour through the class 1 wilderness of Cape Romain. Then we make landfall at the north end of Bulls Island and take a hike through Boneyard Beach and into the interior of the island itself.
  • Kiawah River Paddle and Hike: You will paddle through the tidal flats on the Kiawah River just as the day breaks. It is then followed by a curated naturalist lead hike through the maritime forest of a spectacular Lowcountry oasis at Kiawah River.
These are just a few examples of our expeditions featuring a hike! On our four other tours; the Cape Romain Lighthouse Tour, the Santee Delta River Cruise and Beach Drop, St. Phillips Island Ferry, and Bulls Island Ferry, you will have the option to hike around the local areas, beaches, and forests to fully experience the locations we bring you to.
For those still new to South Carolina and going on adventures with us at Coastal Expeditions, you might be hesitant about hiking in South Carolina and hiking in Charleston. However, there are a few things we want you to keep in mind!
  • Just because a lot of South Carolina and Charleston is much flatter than traditional hiking destinations, don’t throw away the idea of hiking here! You have the opportunity to hike in many different settings all in one state, sometimes all in one day! You can hike through marshes, on beaches, and through maritime forests in many different locations. Or, you can pick and choose and spend more time in your preferred hiking locations!
  • Places like Edisto Nature Trail offers a hike through the ACE Basin, which winds you through wildflower fields and meadows, through historical rice fields, and even an old phosphate mining site.
  • You can hike the Palmetto Trail which spans between North and South Carolina and provides 425 miles of many different trail systems.
  • One of the best trails on the Palmetto Trail is the Awendaw Passage. It is a seven-mile round trip hike that allows you to experience the salt marshes, marine forests, the Walnut Grove Scenic overlook, and much more all in one hike!
  • In South Carolina alone there are over 400 hiking trails to enjoy!
  • Make sure you stop at Congaree National Park, the only National Park in South Carolina. It has the largest intact old-growth bottomland hardwood forest left in the Southeast. It is an easy hike and has varying trail lengths.
  • The S.C Foothills Trail will take you to the Blueridge Foothills. There are 77 miles of trails with 14 passages with trails that range from easy to difficult. There are several beautiful waterfalls throughout the trails and some of the trails are right on the SC and NC state line.
  • Most of the trails have hand-curated trail maps and driving directions to make it an easy experience to enjoy and visit.
  • For all of those looking for an easy stroll for your hiking joys, we have many hiking trails that range from 2 to 18 miles long that start at 0 and go up to 19 feet about sea level. You can find whatever kind of trail your heart desires.
  • One of the best hikes to enjoy a unique and stunning ecosystem close to Downtown Charleston is at Audubon Swamp Gardens at Magnolia Plantation and Gardens. It’s very easy to spend the whole day enjoying and hiking through the trails and enjoying the vast swamp.
These are just ten of the many reasons that if you don’t think about hiking when you think about South Carolina or Charleston, you really should! There is so much to see and experience right here in the Lowcountry just by walking through it. We are here to help guide you through it and there is so much out there that you can enjoy on your own, too!
Did you also know that hiking has a bunch of health benefits that can make you all-around more healthy and happier?
  • Hiking can help improve your balance.
  • It can help strengthen your core.
  • Hiking can lower your risk of heart disease.
  • It can help lower your blood pressure and improve your sugar levels.
  • Hiking can help with obesity.
  • It can be great for mental health and anxiety.
  • Hiking can help the risk of developing certain respiratory problems.
  • It can help build strong bones and muscles since it is a bodyweight balancing type of exercise.
  • Hiking can help improve your overall heart health.
  • It can help you build strong relationships and create wonderful memories with your loved ones.
  • Hiking can reduce stress and can lead to a lower risk of depression, according to studies done by researchers at Stanford University.
Not only is hiking good, but it is also good for you! You can improve your physical and mental health by exploring some of the most beautiful natural locations in South Carolina! What’s stopping you? Come explore with us at Coastal Expeditions! If you have any questions or comments about our hikes or where we love to hike, please don’t hesitate to reach out, we would love to hear from you!
Explore. Chat. Visit. And come on back, y’all.
@coastalexpeditions

St. Phillips Island & Beaufort Rentals

Offering Kayaks and Paddleboards

Take in the stunning beauty of local creeks and waters from one of our kayaks or SUPs. Walk-ups are welcome or call / text to book and we’ll be ready when you are. All gear and instruction provided.

Call or text 843.884.7684 to book.

Outpost Location

Need A Guide?

If you really want to get a feel for the local history, identify the native wildlife, and get to special places, you'll need someone experienced to show you the way. We'll get you there.

Check out our St. Phillips Island & Beaufort tours.

Rent a Kayak or Paddleboard Click to Book via Text

Shem Creek in Mount Pleasant Rentals

Offering Kayaks and Paddleboards

Take in the stunning beauty of local creeks and waters from one of our kayaks or SUPs. Walk-ups are welcome or call / text to book and we’ll be ready when you are. All gear and instruction provided.

Call or text 843.884.7684 to book.

Outpost Location

Need A Guide?

If you really want to get a feel for the local history, identify the native wildlife, and get to special places, you'll need someone experienced to show you the way. We'll get you there.

Check out our Shem Creek in Mount Pleasant tours.

Rent a Kayak or Paddleboard Click to Book via Text