Palmetto Trail Lake Moultrie Passage

Palmetto Trail Lake Moultrie Passage is a long-distance Palmetto Trail section in South Carolina that runs as a point-to-point hike along Lake Moultrie’s levee/dike system. The mapped character is mostly unpaved track/surface road travel with a single-route purpose—foot travel is supported and bicycles are also allowed.

Typical ground is a mix of gravel and dirt service roads on the earthen levees, with some boardwalk/crushed stone/sand/grass/dirt along the segment. The overall elevation profile is described as mostly flat with low total gain/loss, but the distance is long enough that pacing and hydration drive how hard it feels.

Directionally, the segment links into the Swamp Fox Passage at the northwest end on Eadie Lane by the historic Santee-Cooper diversion canal (Cross), and it links toward the Palmetto Trail continuation at the southeastern end near Highway 52 (Bonneau). The route is commonly walked/backpacked and also used for mountain biking.

Expect long stretches with little shade because much of the line runs along open dikes; plan for sun exposure as a primary constraint on this hike. When conditions are wet, the natural-surface portions can turn muddy after heavy rainfall.

Wildlife habitat shows up as you move around the north/east edges of the lake, including the Sandy Beach Wildlife Management Area mentioned for the Lake Moultrie Passage corridor. The route also passes through pineland and swamp-like low areas around the lake perimeter, which affects both footing and the bugs you may encounter in warm months.

Camping exists along the broader route, but facilities can be limited; pack what you need and plan water carefully. One planning note highlighted for the area: hand pump wells may be absent/removed in some locations, so treat “easy fill” as unreliable and carry accordingly.

Navigation/marking is generally supported by signage along the route, including yellow blazes on trees and trail signage noted for the segment.

Do a quick pre-hike scout of your chosen start/parking and the exact path you intend to follow on/along the levees and service roads; after rain, surface texture can change quickly and can make portions slick/muddy enough to slow you down. Plan to move efficiently between access points since the route is long and much of it stays on open dike alignments.

More information: Official website, Conditions, Lake Moultrie Passage | South Carolina Trails - TrailLink