Palmetto Trail — Wateree Passage
~1 days · 11.6 mi · easy · Point-to-point
Quick facts
What the Palmetto Trail — Wateree Passage is known for
The Wateree Passage runs about 11 miles through Kershaw County between the Wateree River corridor and the High Hills of Santee, crossing the rolling Piedmont-to-coastal-plain transition zone through mixed pine-hardwood forest and farm-edge corridors. The route connects the Fort Jackson and Boyd passages with the High Hills of Santee Passage as the trail descends toward the Santee Cooper lake system. Maintained by the Palmetto Conservation Foundation as part of the ~500-mile Palmetto Trail.
Elevation profile
Elevation ranges from 322 ft to 741 ft over 11.6 mi. Measured from OSM geometry (approximate).
- Uphill 2.3 mi · 20%
- Downhill 3.3 mi · 29%
- Flat 5.9 mi · 51%
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 — Wateree Passage take?
Most backpackers hike the Palmetto Trail — Wateree Passage in about 1 days (0 nights out) over its 11.6 miles, though pace varies with fitness and conditions.
How much elevation gain is on the Palmetto Trail — Wateree Passage?
The Palmetto Trail — Wateree Passage climbs roughly 279 ft total — about 24 ft per mile, topping out near 246 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.