Palmetto Trail — Lake Marion Passage
~3 days · 34.8 mi · easy · Point-to-point
Quick facts
What the Palmetto Trail — Lake Marion Passage is known for
The Lake Marion Passage runs about 32 miles along the northern and western shores of Lake Marion — the largest of the Santee Cooper lakes — through Clarendon and Calhoun counties in the SC coastal plain. The flat to gently rolling terrain passes through cypress-tupelo swamps, loblolly pine forest, and open lakeside sections with views across the water. Maintained by the Palmetto Conservation Foundation as part of the ~500-mile Palmetto Trail.
Elevation profile
Elevation ranges from 279 ft to 732 ft over 34.8 mi. Measured from OSM geometry (approximate).
- Uphill 2.7 mi · 8%
- Downhill 3.3 mi · 9%
- Flat 28.8 mi · 83%
Ridgefold breaks every route into uphill, downhill, and flat — see the full per-day breakdown in the app.
Frequently asked questions
How many days does the Palmetto Trail — Lake Marion Passage take?
Most backpackers hike the Palmetto Trail — Lake Marion Passage in about 3 days (2 nights out) over its 34.8 miles, though pace varies with fitness and conditions.
How much elevation gain is on the Palmetto Trail — Lake Marion Passage?
The Palmetto Trail — Lake Marion Passage climbs roughly 410 ft total — about 12 ft per mile, topping out near 226 ft.
Related trails
Sources & attribution
Route geometry and stats derived from OpenStreetMap (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL) — source relation. Stats are approximate and may differ from official surveys; permit rules and conditions change — verify with the managing authority before your trip. Last reviewed July 2026.