Smooth Cycling Through Funky Greenville

Prisma Health Swamp Rabbit Trail

Distance: 22 miles

City of Greenville Route Map

At just over 22 miles from downtown Greenville to Travelers Rest and back, the Prisma Health Swamp Rabbit Trail is one of South Carolina’s best-known rail-trail conversions. What started as an abandoned rail line is now a paved greenway that links two very different communities, and the ride between them shows off both the city’s energy and the slower pace of the foothills.

Greenville anchors the southern end of the trail. Once a textile hub, the city has reinvented itself with a lively downtown and a focus on outdoor spaces. The trail begins near Cleveland Park and quickly carries you into Falls Park on the Reedy. Cafés, shops, and restaurants spill toward the trail, and there’s no shortage of places to stop before you’ve even left the city.

Smooth cruise to Travelers Rest

Heading north, the path follows the old railroad grade through parks and residential stretches before opening into countryside. The terrain is flat to slightly rolling, with never enough of a climb to feel difficult. Families, commuters, and club riders all share the same space, and the asphalt surface makes it accessible for all kinds of bikes.

The northern end of the trail comes at Travelers Rest, a town that has embraced its role as a trailhead. Restaurants and breweries line Main Street just steps from where the path ends, and riders often turn their trip into a social stop here before heading back south. For those who want to stretch the ride, the trail connects with roads leading into the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Fine way to end on this South Carolina bike trail

The return into Greenville drops you back into a city that has made its downtown a destination in itself. Falls Park is the centerpiece, where the Liberty Bridge spans the waterfall and paths wander through landscaped gardens. Just off the trail, Main Street is lined with cafés, restaurants, and shops, making it easy to move straight from the ride to a meal or drink. The Peace Center offers concerts and performances, while the Greenville County Museum of Art and the Children’s Museum of the Upstate sit within easy reach. You can finish with a walk through the park or a stop at one of the breweries and ice cream shops nearby.

Because of its popularity, weekends can feel crowded, and riders looking for speed may find the mix of traffic frustrating. Crossings through city streets break up the flow at times, and during the hottest summer days, the exposed stretches can feel long. Still, the accessibility, amenities, and the way it links two distinct communities make it one of the state’s standout rides.

Ride safe! Check out this ultra bright front and rear light set!

Cycling in South Carolina: What better place to start?

Head next door to North Carolina's American Tobacco Trail