The Peak to Prosperity Passage proceeds west from the Alston trailhead in Fairfield County across the impressive Broad River trestle. The view from the 1,100-foot-long bridge is spectacular, especially when bald eagles soar. Across the river in Newberry County, the rail-trail skirts Peak and cuts an easy swath through piedmont forest to Pomaria and Prosperity. Along the passage, 14 wooden trestles span the meandering Crims Creek where German immigrants settled in the 1730s. The area is known as the Dutch Fork.

Check out the smart/cell phone tour while hiking to learn more about the Dutch Fork’s history and wildlife.

Using the railbanking process, Palmetto Conservation purchased the 11-mile, 200-foot wide right-of-way for the passage from Norfolk Southern Railroad. Thanks to SC Parks, Recreation & Tourism for funds to convert the river trestle to a passage treadway, and to Fairfield County for funds to develop the Alston trailhead park.

The first 6.5 miles of the passage were opened in 2009 after two volunteers, Charles Weber and Furman Miller, cleared and decked eight trestles. A grant from SCPRT allowed the team to deck and add handrails to the 1,100-foot-long bridge over the Broad River.

Camping: The Alston trailhead park provides parking, picnicking, camping, and canoe access on the Broad River.

Alston Trailhead: From Columbia: I-26, exit 97, take US 176 west 11 miles; turn east on SC 213; drive 3.1 miles, turn right onto Alston Road (1st road after the bridge); road changes to unpaved, take right fork, cross RR track and go under the trestle; parking is on the left at the top.

From Spartanburg: I-26, exit 82, take 773 to Pomaria, east on US 176 to SC 213; turn east on 213; follow directions above.

Hope Station Trailhead: From Columbia: I-26, exit 97, take US 176 west 11.1 miles; turn right onto Hope Station Road; drive 1.3 miles to the Trail day-use parking area on the left.

Pomaria Trailhead: From Columbia, I-26, exit 85, take SC 202 east to US 176, turn left and drive into Pomaria, turn right on Angella Street beside Wilson’s grocery; parking is behind the kiosk.