If the creation of Falls Park
was the spark that set Greenville on track to become a beloved hometown and
vacation destination to thousands, then it’s the GHS Swamp Rabbit Trail that
has become the locomotive still pulling us forward today!
About the trail...
The old Carolina, Knoxville and
Western Railway line was nicknamed for the large cottontail rabbit that roamed
these parts back in the day, and although the tracks have been replaced by a
paved trail (and locomotives by runners, walkers and cyclists), the name stuck.
The 19.9-mile trail stretches from Travelers Rest to downtown Greenville, with
additional sections in Lake Conestee Nature Preserve and Fountain Inn. There is yet
another extension slated for construction starting next January that will
connect Cleveland Park and the Verdae development off the Motor Mile, and
long-range plans have discussed bringing the trail all the way to Cedar Falls Park. It could be that in the future the entire length of the Reedy River will
be covered, and residents would have a multi-use trail connecting the Upstate
to the Saluda River!
The north end of the trail
The trail starts in Travelers Rest (often referred to as “TR”), the gateway to the Blue Ridge Mountains. What
used to be a sleepy mountain town was transformed with the advent of the Trail
into a hub for outdoor adventure. Today, TR is a destination in itself, not
just a stop on the way to Caesars Head and Table Rock.
The Swamp Rabbit Trail has
become so intertwined with the legend of Greenville that dozens of local
businesses have jumped on the train; for example in Travelers Rest you will
find the Swamp Rabbit Brewery & Taproom, Swamp Rabbit Inn, Swamp Rabbit
Storage and Swamp Rabbit Tees. For ideas on what to do with a day in TR, check
out this sample itinerary that includes parks, restaurants and shops all within
an easy walking-radius. If your visit falls on a Saturday, be sure to
stop by the TR Farmers Market in Trailblazer Park and check out the kids table
that features a new activity every week.
Soon after crossing Roe Ford
Rd. (and passing mile marker 26) you’ll reach Furman University.
A couple of access points allow visitors to connect to the path that circles Swan Lake, and just before Duncan Chapel Road (about MM27.5) you’ll spot the old
rail car that marks the location of a public parking lot and rest stop. A detailed description of the Furman-to-TR section of the trail can be found in my post The Swamp Rabbit: From Furman to Travelers Rest.
Headed south from Furman it's 4 miles to reach the Swamp Rabbit Cafe & Grocery; for more on this section see The Swamp Rabbit: From Furman to the Swamp Rabbit Cafe. Although not the most interesting portion of the trail, it is quiet and level, a relaxing ride. Just after the intersection of
the trail with Sulphur Springs Road you’ll find Swamp Rabbit Station, a pocket
park at MM29 with a boxcar and locomotive – a perfect stop for those kids who
love everything train-related! Then push on another two miles to reach the
Swamp Rabbit Cafe (MM31.5), the Swamp Garden and the outskirts of downtown Greenville. This section of the trail is covered in more detail in my post The Swamp Rabbit: From Falls Park to the Swamp Rabbit Cafe and Grocery.
The SRT in Greenville...
Approaching the Kroc Center you
pass Mayberry Park and the old city public works, what in the future will be City
Park. This expansive, signature park on the West Side of downtown Greenville is
still in the planning phase as the City of Greenville looks to finish moving
the current Greenville Public Works operations. Where the Swamp Rabbit Trail turns
to pass under South Academy Street, you know you’ve reached the Children’s
Garden at Linky Stone Park (MM33.5), a perfect place to stop and rest before
entering downtown.
After passing through the brand
new River Street underpass you’ll be right alongside the Reedy River all
through Falls Park. There are dozens of adventures waiting for you here; from
the splash pad that’s a perfect cool down on a hot day to the dozens of trails
leading every which way, Falls Park is a highlight of the trail you won’t want
to leave!
From Falls Park it’s just a
short ride to Cleveland Park, through Cancer Survivors Park.
A parking lot and access to Church Street and Cleveland Street make this a convenient jumping-on point. Meanwhile Cleveland Park is an old favorite; the trail passes Maj.
Anderson’s memorial F-86 Saber jet fighter plane (MM35), numerous picnic
shelters and playgrounds, and spur trails to the Fernwood Nature Trail and
Greenville Zoo. For more information on the portion of the trail that runs from Falls Park toward the zoo, please visit my post The Swamp Rabbit: From the Falls to Cleveland Park.
The south end of the trail...
From Cleveland Park the trail follows the Reedy. After a mile it leaves Hincapie Trail and jogs up E Faris to Cleveland Ave and then south to Pleasantburg. I cover those two miles in my post The Swamp Rabbit: Greenville Tech to Cleveland Park. The trail currently stops there, just
south of Greenville Technical College’s main campus, and resumes north of Lake Conestee Nature Preserve at Parkins Mill and
Mauldin Rd. There are suggested connection routes to take you to Conestee, but they
travel busy thoroughfares and aren’t recommended with younger cyclists. However,
once you reach Conestee you’ll find an oasis of calm. A spur trail within the
park connects the Swamp Rabbit to Conestee Park (where the playground and dog
park are), while the main trail winds around with the Reedy River to the
historic Conestee Mill and dam. Here you’ll find a parking area and kiosk at
the trailhead, mile marker 41, and the terminus of the Swamp Rabbit Trail.
For more information on the
Swamp Rabbit Trail, please visit the Greenville County Rec website, and for maps of the trail
visit http://greenvillerec.com/swamprabbit/maps/. Happy trails!
This post originally appeared on the Upstate's premier online resource for parents in Greenville County, Kidding Around Greenville.
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