This was my first time visiting this trail. There was plenty of parking in the lot as it was early in the morning. The trail is marked with mile markers and there is a map at the beginning of the trail. Easy to follow and navigate your way. There is a fitness area which I thought was neat. There are no accessible restrooms available that I saw. There are no animal waste areas that are available that I saw. I will definitely try this trail again. read more

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Amazing piece of Mother Nature! This trail is rejuvenating! And what a perfect Southern fall day! read more

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Such a beautiful and scenic trail that's right around the corner in Summerville, SC! Since we've discovered Sawmill Branch trail we've walked it 4 times and it's always so relaxing and peaceful. Everyone we've encountered has been friendly and welcoming and you get to have this wonderful time while walking alongside a slow moving river full of wildlife. We've seen many turtles and some fish paddling through the water along with storks and cranes grazing for food. They even have markers for quarter, half, and full miles if you're trying to set a pace for a fitness goal. My family and I really enjoy coming here and I'm sure we'll make many more visits before the year is out. read more

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Fun, quick trail that's easy to traverse. Right by a creek where you can see storks, turtles, etc. we always have so much fun either walking or riding our bikes here. It's smiles all around for those we pass and I love enjoying family time here. read more

Sawmill Branch Trail - Hiking Near Me - Summerville, South Carolina

Nice paved trail and it's kept up well! Not super crowded with people, mostly bikers. read more

Sawmill Branch Trail - Beginning of trail - Hiking Near Me - Summerville, South Carolina

Why this trail isn't full of folks walking, running, biking and generally flouncing about on the path is beyond me. It's great and easily accessed! Maybe I should rate it lower because I'd like to keep it that way now that I think about it. This trail is lousy! Tee hee. read more

I love running here. Never many people, always beautiful. Trail is always clear, places to workout as you go. read more

Sawmill Branch Trail - Great place to run! - Hiking Near Me - Summerville, South Carolina

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6.1 miles, one way, almost a half-marathon if you run it as a loop from the parking lot out and return. This is one of my all-time favorite paths. Smooth path in a wooded area, along water, and behind houses, and eventually along the road in Summerville. It's ideal for running in any season. Very peaceful and rarely busy, though you may encounter some families and strollers on weekend mornings. I ran here 3-4 times a week all year round from 2005-2007. It's been a few years since I've been back, so I hope it hasn't changed. read more

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The Sawmill Branch Trail is one of Summerville's most utilized areas for runners, walkers, and cyclists. It connects several different neighborhoods to downtown Summerville and crosses a few key roads, so if you live in one of those neighborhoods, you could potentially cycle downtown. Or, you have a great place to walk your (leashed) dog, or go for a morning or afternoon walk or jog with your family. If you want to train for a race, the Sweet Tea Half Marathon is a local half marathon and much of it is run on the Sawmill Branch Trail. A few small charity 5Ks are held on Saturday mornings, and the Fleet Feet Summerville run club occasionally runs on Sawmill Branch Trail. The trail begins at Richardson Avenue and has ample parking and a map. The trail is paved on one side and has a few benches as well as some cross-training equipment like pull-up bars- although I've never seen anyone use them. There are a few maps along the trail as well, but no distance markers. At one point, the trail crosses Old Trolley Road, but there's a convenient way to run or walk under it, which is really neat but also very safe since that's a busy road. If you need to go to the bathroom or buy something, there's a store near that intersection. That's the only bathroom/store I know of that's close to the trail. I've never felt unsafe running here, but depending on the time of day and weather, you may or may not see many people. Regardless- take the same safety precautions you would anywhere else by running/walking with someone or taking your phone with you. The only downside to the Sawmill Branch trail is the lack of water fountains. I hope that these will be added in the future, as Summerville takes a lot of pride in the trail. read more

I have been using this greenway for years. It is top notch. Frankly, as "green" as my city (Asheville NC) portends, this greenway in a suburban area of SC whoops it! This is how to do a greenway. Tons of spurs into existing neighborhoods, paved trail on one side, unfinished but accessible paths on the other. Looks like the beginning of what could go for miles. They do need to promote it more, link it to downtown, and start extending it. I hope that local Flowertown Garden Club will start landscaping it some. Its green but a little plain in places. Look for egrets and herons in the stream/ditch/wash read more

I walk this trail with friends and it's good exercise. The majority of the trail is shaded though there is about a mile stretch where it's not at all. The creek makes for nice scenery. So far we've seen turtles, egrets, and a deer. No gators yet though when there's more water I wouldn't be surprised if we did. Lots of cyclists on the path but so far most are good about letting you know they're coming by. All in all it's been great to break the quarantine monotony. read more

The paved surface is very nice. I rated it low for 2 reasons. 1. The trail is mostly in the sun so is is very hot late morning and all afternoon. 2. The "work out stations" are poorly placed miles apart from each other. I would frequent them a lot if they were close to each other and easily accessible. At their current locations, they are difficult to access. read more

I haven't been to this trail in a few years, but when I was into running / walking I would venture out in the evenings and even went before the sun rose and have never encountered any issues. The trail has never been packed but there has been times I have ventured past couples with children, dogs, and cyclists. The grounds are normally maintained often, and the view is peaceful and if you are lucky you just might see a white egret or two or a owl. read more

This is one of the best suburban trails I've ever visited. We've walked it on and off for close to 2 years now. Everyone seems very respectful of giving way to other traffic and during the day it seems pretty safe for a female to be on it by herself. There are a few areas that get a little tight depending on the foot/cycle traffic, but again it is one of the best suburban trails I've visited. read more

To add a little bit of an incline to your ride, exit sawmill at the newington swimming pool and turn left, this is a long gradual incline back to Newington elementary school, then turn left at the school and head back to sawmill. Or for a much steeper hill, not recommended for children and those out of shape you will have to push your bike, exit at the swimming pool, but turn right, I believe this is King Charles circle (the outer loop of Newington plantation) at the 4th intersection make a left on Downing drive and head up the hill to Plantation circle (inner loop). Turn right around inner loop exit on plantation Dr head back down to King Charles circle. Turn left to repeat, turn right to head back to swimming pool and sawmill read more

Some of the bicyclists think that it's the Tour de France. Going extremely fast and always in a miserable mood. If they hit one of my family members, they are going in the creek, and the bicycle becomes mine. read more

I love this trail. I like to come with my family on the weekends. My wife will roller skate, my oldest son will ride his bike, and I will run with my youngest son pushing him in his stroller. It's a nice clean trail with a stretching station and a couple of water fountains along the way. The distance is pretty solid, and you can get a nice run in here. The trail is designed and broken up in a way that helps you match your desired distance to the parts you run. There are two parts that go under the road which is nice, so you never have to cross the highway to keep running the path. There are two cool side trails along the way also that go into the woods. This helps break up the monotony of running a straight line. Though trees are nearby along the trail you will definitely get a lot of direct sun on a clear day, so come prepared. read more

This trail is quite nice. It is extensive enough to get some good walking/running/biking exercise. It is paved and has some unpaved areas for those who prefer to run on turf. The stream is lovely and you can find occasionally find some egrets and other wildlife. In 2014, there were some upgrades to the trail, including additional benches and trash cans. It'll be very nice once the construction at Bacons Bridge is complete. When I first moved here, I had people tell me to be very careful about going on this trail alone. I've never had a problem, but I'm also very aware of my surroundings, I make sure I go in full daylight, and the only time I go by myself if is I'm biking. If I were running/walking, I would definitely have someone with me, as the trail is somewhat secluded. I do not believe the trail is unsafe. Rather, it is smart to have a buddy with you. read more

This trail was very well kept and parking was easy to find. Definitely recommend if you want a peaceful stroll or bike ride.

First time running it and I made 2 mistakes. Ran it at noon time 85 degrees and wasn't acclimated to the higher temp. 2nd mistake, I'm used to running on unpaved trails so it was hard and hot on my feet. I'll be better prepared next time but still recommend it as it is a nice out and back. read more

Great bike trail. Plenty of parking along different spots of the trail. We go as a family along the trail. Never had any problems. Rode several times after knee surgery great exercise. Low impact. Sunoco gas station on trolley rd is a great stop to get a drink or bathroom break as it's right on the trail. Other then there, your pretty much out of luck. read more

I ride my bike out and back from the YMCA a few times a week. I really like this jewel of a trail, it's one of the longest paved trails in the state, about 14 miles out and back from either end. I believe that there is expansion going on now at the Dorchester Road end. There's car parking at the Summerville Y, Bacons Bridge Road, Luden Drive, Gahagen, and the end in Summerville. People I've encountered are polite, and generally conscious of trail etiquette. (There was an isolated violent assault against a female a few weeks back, always best to travel with a pal). I've seen deer, eagle, hawks, wild turkey, heron, egret, turtles, squirrel, and snakes on the path...but don't worry...none will allow you to approach too close, with the exception of Mr. Turtle.... The only negative comment I have is that the trail coexists with a sewer main and a pump station or two, but the odors in those areas just tend to cause me to pedal a little faster! The Sawmill Branch is a great family trail where you can stroll or exercise in a nice area that seems miles and miles away from the congestion that is becoming Summerville. I approve of the tax dollars spent here! read more