The Town of Hilton Head Island provides over 60 miles of public pathways and nature trails.
There are more than 50 miles of pathways and shared roadways within the private developments. These private pathways are for the use of residents and renters of the respective communities and their guests. Please contact your rental agency or the individual development’s security office regarding their policy on entering and exiting the community.
The pathway map highlights the existing public pathways. Many kiosks are located along the pathways with an island-wide map on one side, and local route maps on the other.
The Town of Hilton Head Island contains 12 miles of the world’s finest beach. At low tide, it is the ideal opportunity for your family to enjoy the coastline on your bicycle. Public beaches can be accessed via the beach parks highlighted on the pathway map.
The Town of Hilton Head Island is proud to provide a network of parks that capture the unique character of the Town’s natural environment and recreational opportunities for our residents and visitors. While using the pathway system, please visit and enjoy these facilities. Public restrooms are available in most parks.
Plantation Pathways
- The pedestrian and bicycle paths within the various plantations are for the use of plantation residents and their guests.
Unsafe Pathway Conditions?
- If a pathway is in need of repair, please contact our Facilities Management Division at (843) 342-4580.
Rules For The Road
- Please obey all traffic signals and pathway markings. Stop signs must be obeyed for safety. Bicycles are vehicles and must obey SC traffic laws.
- Travel the pathways at speeds that allow for the safety of pedestrians and other users.
- Never ride within the roadway against traffic. State law requires bicycles to drive like all other vehicles.
- Please do not ride on roads where a pathway is available.
- Please ride single file and keep a safe distance from other bicyclists.
- Watch out for motorists! Motorists must yield to pedestrians and bicyclists within marked crossings, but they may not see you.
- Please yield to pedestrians. When resting or stopped, please move off the pathway.
- Most sections of the pathways are not illuminated. If you must bike at night, please wear light-colored clothing or carry a flashlight. Bicycles must have a red rear reflector and a headlight when biking at night.
- When approaching slower pathway users from behind, please sound your warning device, or call out, “Passing on your left.” Always pass on the left.
- Bicyclists should always wear a helmet, especially children 12 and under.
- Make eye contact and use hand signals. Assume other bicyclists and motorists don’t see you. Hand signals tell motorists and other path users what you intend to do and will ensure everyone’s safe enjoyment of the pathways.
- Be courteous, alert and predictable.
Pathway Markings
- White Diamonds – Restricted Travel Lane. Travel with the flow of traffic.
- White Stripe & Stop Sign – Road crossing. Stop and look for motorists.
- Yellow Center Line – Two-way traffic. Keep to the right.
- Several Ladder Hatching Stripes – Crosswalk.
Bicycle thefts are preventable, so please lock your bicycle when you’re not using it. Information and map courtesy of The Town of Hilton Head Island, (843) 341-4600.