Marrington Plantation Ride

Dogs Unknown

E-Bikes Unknown

Ride over long, flowing sections of singletrack with two lightly technical loops and one optional drop line during this 17-mile ride through the Marrington Trail System.

This trail is located on a military reservation, Joint Base Charleston. In addition, this trail will be closed when conditions are wet.

I've ridden this area many times and it's a great place to unwind and turn on the speed. The Low Country Fat Tire Freaks maintain these trails very well, so enjoy.

The main Red Loop is just under 13.0 miles and consists of predominately flat and hard-packed sand. It can also be heavily rooted at times, but it always encourages speed.

This ride starts at the main trailhead parking area where you'll find a map kiosk, sign-in sheet, trash cans, and a port-a-potty. Once you're squared away, head east into the woods before going out to the paved sidewalk for a stretch. You'll soon dive back into the woods (the turn back into the woods is marked on the pavement by a red arrow).

From there, the Red Loop winds through the woods and offers two scenic views along the way. One along an elevated roadbed through an open marsh area and the other at a small boat ramp along the river. After that, there is a see-saw type trail feature that is a blast! It's off to the right side of the trail.

There's also an optional drop line off of the Red Loop that is well-marked and warns beginners to use the ride-around. The drop line starts with a long flat section to help build up speed before a series of drops ranging between one and three feet before the line returns to the Red Loop.

The next notable point will be a three-way intersection where continuing straight ahead (leftmost path) takes you to the BMX Area and Red Loop intersection and staying right takes you to "The Amazon" section of the Red Loop and the Foster Creek Loop (as mapped). If you continue to "The Amazon" you can opt out of the Foster Creek Loop by staying left before the Creek Loop Sign.

Foster Creek Loop is packed with roots and does a good job of using what little elevation change there is to challenge the rider. This loop contains several short climbs with large exposed roots that offer the best technical test of the trail. The loop concludes by merging back with the Red Loop at a four-way intersection. Taking a right will lead to the remainder of the Red Loop and the BMX Area.

If the BMX Area is in good shape it can be a fun addition, but it's worth skipping if it's in disrepair. Continuing down the Red Loop, with the BMX Area on your left in a large clearing with a picnic table, you'll head back into the trees. The remainder of the trail is some of the smoothest parts of the trail system. After crossing an access road, you wind along the edge of a small pond with occasional views of the water.

Once the trail leads out of the trees and out onto a dyke, you are nearly back to the parking lot. Taking a right at the road will lead you across to the parking lot and conclude your tour of the plantation.