Looking for inspiration for a new bike ride, hike, climbing spot, running trail or paddling trip? Look no further… The Adventure Collective’s outdoor adventure guides to Asheville, Boone, Brevard, Charleston, Chattanooga and The Smokies has an adventure for everyone. Explore our recommendations below or hone in on a specific category or destination in the sidebar links.
Horse Pens 40 is an international destination for boulderers, with acres of bulbous sandstone faces, blunt prows, tall slabs, steep overhangs, and challenging water grooves. For a small day fee ($5/day/climber), the owners, Mike and Gina Shultz, have been so kind to open up this once...
Drive twenty minutes north of Charleston and there’s a seemingly endless selection of sandy logging roads to explore through the pine forests of the Francis Marion. To really get out there and take in a nice quiet run, head up into the Hellhole Bay Wilderness, where you’re likely to share...
(N 35.7386, W -83.4163): Less traveled and gravel roads make great rides for mountain bikers. A good example is the Greenbrier Road near Gatlinburg. It’s a paved then gravel road past the Greenbrier Ranger Station and Campground to two dead end trailheads for the Ramsay Cascade and...
(N 35.4462, W -82.4551): When Fontana Lake was built in the 1940s, the federal government pledged to build a road along its northern shore for displaced local people to access family cemeteries. The government stopped construction when environmental concerns came up, then abandoned...
(N 35.6047, W -83.7748): Cyclists are welcome on the 11-mile scenic loop at all times but the best idea is to ride early on Wednesday or Saturday when the loop road is closed until 10 am so cyclists (and pedestrians) rule the road. This is the perfect time to breeze through the valley and...
(N 35.6031, W -83.4494): From Newfound Gap, Clingmans Dome Road is a 14 mile roundtrip ride on a gradually rising road with great views. The Cherokee Orchard Loop Road (3 miles) and the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail (8 miles) are other choice scenic roads. From Cherokee, the Big Cove...
(N 35.7211, W – 83.3952): For runners looking to tackle truly tough trails, the Smokies is the spot. If you run in stouter footwear and want the workout of dodging rocks or climbing and descending steeper grades, try the Old Settlers Trail. This 17 mile run undulates between...
(N 35.6542, W – 83.5804): For 2.3 miles, the Little River Trail rises gradually as an old railroad bed past extensive evidence of early logging and park residents. It’s a pretty stream run, for an almost 5-mile round trip. There are nice views of Huskey Branch Falls at the top. To...
(N 35.6603, W – 83.5839): Not every runner wants to tackle unpaved trails, so campgrounds and picnic areas rank right up there as options. You’ll be running loops, but you can easily drive around these sites to figure out the mileage and route you want. To start, grab the...
Ramsay Cascade Trail – Easy (N 35.7030, W -83.3569): Ramsay Cascade Trail makes a nice 3-mile round trip run not far from Gatlinburg. Park at the trailhead and the first 1.5 miles of the trail beyond the road gate is itself a road on a very gradual grade. You’ll have to cross one...
Deep Creek (N 35.4644, W -83.4338): If you’re seeking an overnight fishing adventure, head past the tubers on Deep Creek to the more remote upper waters. Numerous campsites dot the river between 4 and 6 miles from the trailhead at Highway 441. Once there, you’ll likely have a healthy mix...
Edisto Island’s underwater topography has a different gradient than its northern cousins, providing a shore break that’s got plenty of rodeo kayak potential for coastal-bound whitewater enthusiasts. Because Edisto isn’t the surfing hotspot that Folly is, you’ll likely have the waters...
Head to Sullivan’s Island’s Station 28.5 on even a slightly breezy day, and you’ll witness at least a dozen kites pulling riders across the water. The spot boasts some unique geographical erosion -for nearly a quarter of a mile offshore, the depth remains almost consistently three to six...
North of the IOP, the Intracoastal Waterway is an undeveloped wildlife haven ripe for exploration. Rent a WaveRunner from Tidalwave Watersports and take off toward Capers Island, part of the Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge and an excellent open waterway to enjoy some jet-propelled...
Old Santee Canal Park boasts an impressive museum, visitor center, and a boardwalk through the swampy area along the Cooper River. They also maintain the Santee Canal, built in the late 18th century to transport crops between the uplands and Charleston. Today, the canal is a fine place to...
Charleston is home to a handful of disc golf courses, and Tidal Creek at West Ashley Park is one of the nicest. The wooded, technical course winds along marshland and includes some tight drives. Your furry pal will enjoy keeping you company, and he might come in useful if you launch a...
Among Charleston’s beaches, Kiawah’s Beachwalker County Park has the least restrictive dog rules. They’re allowed year-round, all day long, as long as they’re leashed. It’s also one of the Lowcountry’s most beautiful and fragile beaches. Walk to the end of Capt. Sam’s Spit for a panoramic...
Fort Moultrie’s legacy lives forever on the S.C. state flag-the fort’s palmetto log sides famously absorbed a barrage of British cannonballs during the Revolutionary War. Today it’s a fine place to take your four-legged friend. Dogs aren’t allowed inside the fort itself, but when leashed...
With its sandy beach, swimming lake, and multi-acre field surrounded by woods, James Island boasts the Taj Majal of dog parks. The park provides drinking water, hoses for cleaning and cooling off, entry and exit gates, and bags and collection cans for your pooch’s poo. Directions from...
For a relaxing, stress-free adventure we recommend experiencing Charleston’s sights via water. More specifically, we recommend kicking back in style on a catamaran. Skip the carriage tour mob, hit the water, and take in Forts Moultrie and Sumter, Castle Pinckney, the USS Yorktown, and the...