Palmetto Trail and Foothills Trail partner to bring more trail connections to hiking community

COLUMBIA - The Palmetto Trail, the state's only cross-state trail system, and the Foothills Trail Conservancy have joined forces in a cooperative agreement to encourage Palmetto Trail hikers to take the Foothills Trail to increase their through-passage access to spectacular Upstate resources. This will potentially bring more hikers to the Foothills Trail and allow the Palmetto Trail to fill another gap in its 500-mile-long mountains-to-the-sea corridor.

The access provided by the Foothills Trail will not only allow Palmetto Trail users to hike between Caesar's Head and Sassafras Mountain, but also by utilizing other Foothills Trail sections, they can reach the Blue Ridge Escarpment, pass along the Chattooga River and on to the Palmetto Trail/Foothills Trail terminus at Oconee State Park.

In exchange for allowing Palmetto Trail hikers to use the Foothills Trail, the Palmetto Trail will provide the trail maintenance expertise of the Palmetto Conservation Corps to help maintain trails managed by the Foothills Trail. Palmetto Conservation Corps is an AmeriCorps affiliate associated with Palmetto Trail and dedicated to teaching young people job skills through building and maintaining trails across the state. Corps members not only learn to build and maintain trails and other outdoor resources, but also develop management, planning and interpersonal skills. The corps is available to provide its services for a fee to public and nonprofit entities across the state.

The Palmetto Trail is dedicated to fostering an appreciation for South Carolina's natural and cultural resources by providing opportunities for active recreation on the Palmetto Trail and other trail systems. Like the Foothills Trail, the Palmetto Trail provides short and easy hikes, opportunities for families with young children, more challenging hikes and through-hikes for those who want to traverse the statewide length of the trail. The Palmetto Trail is one of only 16 cross-state trails in the country. To learn more, visit www.palmettoconservation.org. The Palmetto Trail also leads the S.C. Trails Coalition and houses the S.C. Trails website. For more information, visit www.SCtrails.net.

About Foothills Trail Conservancy

The Foothills Trail Conservancy has managed trails in the Upstate for nearly 50 years. The Foothills Trail is 77 miles long and includes short and easy day hikes accessible via many trailheads, as well as difficult through-hikes. For more information, visit www.foothillstrail.org.

Ways to get involved

To donate to The Palmetto Trail and support Palmetto Conservation, visit palmettoconservation.org/get-involved. Each contribution, no matter its size, makes a profound impact on the Palmetto Conservation, the environment and community members that frequent these trails connecting the Palmetto State. You can also sign up to be a trail volunteer, assisting in keeping the Palmetto Trail well-maintained for all users. Visit palmettoconservation.org/volunteer to learn about the various ways you can contribute to the Palmetto Trail.

About the Palmetto Trail

Palmetto Conservation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that was founded in 1989 to protect and conserve South Carolina's natural wildlife and habitats. Our mission is to foster an appreciation for South Carolina's natural and cultural resources, providing opportunities for active recreation on the Palmetto Trail and other trail systems that can be enjoyed by all in South Carolina, regardless of gender, race, creed, age or ability.

For more information and other media inquiries, reach out to Executive Director of the Palmetto Trail Mary Roe by emailing mroe@palmettoconservation.org or call (803)-771-0870.

You can additionally email The Foothills Trail Conservancy Board Chairman Andrew Gleason at AndrewandWilla@hotmail.com.