On the northern outskirts of Columbia, the Peak to Prosperity Passage is an awesome off-road option. It’s a dirt double track trail, with some overgrown grass, stretching 11 miles from Alston, climbing gradually to near Eptings Pond. The most spectacular section is at the eastern end, as you cross the 1,100 foot Broad River trestle. Overall, the mainly wooded trail includes 14 wooden trestles span the meandering Crims Creek where German immigrants settled in the 1730s. There are mile markers each mile.

The Peak to Prosperity trail is part of the 500-mile Palmetto Trail (350 miles completed), some 26 passages ranging from 1.3 to 47 miles, that includes backcountry, Rails-to-Trail. greenways. city sidewalks. urban bikeways., and bridle paths. Overall,