Hitchcock Woods is 2,100 acres of urban forest in the heart of Aiken, and it is one of the largest urban forests in the United States. The woods are privately owned by the Hitchcock Foundation and have been open to the public for decades. Free admission, open every day.
The trail network covers more than 70 miles of sandy paths through longleaf pine forest, hardwood bottomland, and open meadows. Hikers and equestrians share the trails, and the horse culture in Aiken means the equestrian presence is significant. The sandy soil makes for excellent footing year-round.
The woods are a genuine urban escape. You can enter from multiple points in residential Aiken and be in deep forest within minutes. The silence is remarkable for a city park.