Hiking & Walking Trails
Click here for photos of our current trails.Active Trails- Phase 1
The Ponds Summerville community provides a variety of outdoor activites including miles of hiking and walking trails surrounding the South Carolina new homes and in the nature conservancy.
To download a map of the current trails go here.
Bluffs Point Trail - An original settlement site for Native Americans and later for white settlers adventuring westward from Charles Towne. Just below the trail end you will find the headwaters of the mighty Ashley River. 0.2 mile distance
Donning Trail - This one mile trail, once used for access to the agricultural fields, now runs through a planted pine forest and is just the right distance for a stroll through nature. 1 mile distance
Dove Run - This trail was once used for hunting and pine harvesting and now acts as “shortcut” to The Ponds expansive trails. 0.1 mile distance
Farmhouse Walk - This trail circles the entire farmhouse area and was designed as the core of the entire trail system. You can take in the beautiful views of the farmhouse and all of its surrounding amenities or venture off on one of the many trails heads that begin here. 0.4 mile distance
Fredreik's Cutback - Named for Fredreik Schulz, Owner from 1852-1890, this trail is one of many cutbacks that provide hikers a wide array of choices for customizing their experience. 0.4 mile distance
Hundred Oaks Trail - This was the original ingress/ egress for the Ponds during the 1700’s. This trail meandered to the Ponds Cut Through. Trails heading south provided access to the rice fields located at the basin of the Black Lake bluffs. To the north were agricultural fields that lined the route to the original Plantation. 1 mile distance.
Maria's Cutback - Named for Fredreik Schulz’s wife, Owner from 1852-1890, this trail is one of many cutbacks that provide hikers a wide array of choices for customizing their experience. 0.4 mile distance
Ralph's Branch - Named after previous landowner Ralph Simmons, This trail spurs off Donning trail and is apart of the multiple trail networks that weave through the property. 0.4 mile distance
Settlement Field Pass - This straight trail takes hikers along the edge of Settlement Field. Just off this path is the area known to be the original location of the colonial house and slave quarters. 0.4 mile distance
Shultz Lake Trail - This location was significant as it provided access to the west. Rice was harvested and loaded and transported by river or over land. In the later 1800’s it was the focal decking site for the timber harvest from the swamp for transportation to town or the mill. 0.2 mile distance
Shultz Trail - This was the oak lined entrance to the Ponds Plantation. The other side was comprised of large agricultural fields. Schulz Trail terminated at Schulz Lake Point and was important for the transport of rice and timber from the land west of the lake. 1.5 mile distance
Turkey Run - This trail was once used for hunting and pine harvesting and now acts as “shortcut” to The Ponds expansive trails. 0.2 mile distance
Village Pond Trail - This trail circles the Village Pond. You will see all the beautiful natural vegetation surrounding this pond as well as enjoy a special walk-out island in the middle of the pond. 1 mile distance
Future Planned Trails and Scenic Areas
Ponds Cut Through - At the intersection of the Ponds Cut Through and Schulz Trail was the grand entrance to the Plantation. Turning west took you the original colonial house and facilities. Also at this location was the last outbound trading post.
Percival Trail - This site was also used in rice production.
Drayton Trail, Doyley Bend, and Glaze Trail - These trails were utilized for timber access during the Great Depression. The Simmons Family would allow furniture and cabinetmakers to harvest select Oaks, Hickory and Black Walnut trees free. Many of the homes in Charleston and Summerville still have wood furnishings harvested from the property.
Simmons Pond Trail - These locations have no significant background other than cultural operations when many of the large fields were reforested in the mid 1970’s. 0.8 mile distance
Schultz Cut Through - This is the location of the only natural spring pond on the property. The pond was tilled in the 1930’s as it interfered with the production of sweet potatoes.
Lotz Trail and Lotz Loop - This location was used to transport timber from the east side of the Great Cypress Swamp to the on-site mill.
Shultz Landing - This site was the primary loading area for rice onto boats for transport to the colonial site. Later it was used as a decking area to float timber to the Point for loading and transport to the mill. This location was also the site of the only bridge to span Schulz Lake. A small cypress bridge was used for workers and equipment but was not large enough to transport heavy loads.
Conservation Trail - This location meandered through the highland of the west property when rains prohibited mule teams from maneuvering to the lake.
Big and Little Island - These island sites provided most of the Cypress production. It is unknown of the historical significance of the islands but it was reported that Francis Marion utilized these as a refuge and to stealth travel to Charleston.
Other Future Trails:
Old Road Trail
James Trail
Cattle Pass
Ponds Pass
Indigo Run
Please note all parks and paths within The Ponds are private property for the exclusive use of Ponds property owners and their accompanied guests. Visitors interested in learning more about the community should stop by the historic farmhouse where they may obtain a daily pass to explore the trail system. Please note the "daily pass" does not include fishing and/or canoeing/kayaking in our ponds and lakes.
