Long Cane Trail, Sumter National Forest

23 miles (full) or day sections

Full day or overnight

23 miles of hiking through rolling Piedmont forest in Sumter National Forest near Abbeville. Wildflowers, creek crossings, and near-total solitude. The best long-distance trail in the Midlands.

The Long Cane Trail runs 23 miles through the Long Cane Ranger District of Sumter National Forest near Abbeville. It is the best long-distance hiking trail in the Midlands and one of the most undervisited trails in the state. The trail passes through rolling Piedmont forest with creek crossings, wildflower meadows in spring, and the kind of solitude that is increasingly rare in the Southeast.

Tips from the field

Spring wildflowers are exceptional. April is the best month.
Multiple trailhead access points for day hike sections.
Primitive camping permitted in the national forest.
Near-total solitude on weekdays. One of the least-crowded trails in SC.

At a Glance

Where: Abbeville, SC

Surface: Dirt trail, some rocky sections near creeks

Parking: Forest Service trailhead parking

Shade: Full forest canopy

Restrooms: No facilities on trail

Accessibility

Dog-Friendly (Leashed)

Nearby

Abbeville (15 min)
Ninety Six NHS (20 min)
Lake Greenwood SP (25 min)