HIGHLIGHTS: Landsford Canal was once an important trading route running from the coast to the Foothills of South Carolina. It was built in 1820 by Robert Leckie as a canal lock designed to avoid the rough waters of the nearby Catawba River. The lock did not operate long, however, due to continual problems with flooding but today is one of only a handful of canals in the State that have survived without structural damage. The Landsford Canal State Historic Site was created to protect this unique structure, and it operates five days a week with operations running Thursday through Monday from 9am until 6pm year-round. The canal is dry under normal conditions, but occasionally holds some water in a few areas.
This one-way, shuttle hike at the Landsford Canal State Historic Site is actually comprised of two trails, the Nature Trail and the Canal Trail. The Nature Trail is a short path that runs parallel to the Canal Trail over the first half mile to the east. Hikers and their dogs have the option of following either route, and may consider altering between the two if an in-and-out backtrack hike of six total miles is chosen.
