trails. GREEN’S SHELL ENCLOSURE 0.2 miles The 3-acre Green's She

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0.2 miles
The 3-acre Green’s Shell Enclosure Heritage Preserve is an archaeological site dating back to 1335 A.D. This trail is located near the top of Hilton Head Island, just off of Squire Pope Road.
From the parking area, you will walk on a road to this short, easy trail, which will take you into the past. You will pass a cemetery and cross over a ramp to an overlook at the end of the trail. Green’s Shell Enclosure is a low earthen embankment, two to six feet high, that dates back to the Irene Period of 1300 to 1450 A.D. Covering two acres, this embankment was once a fortified village built by farmers who used shells for everything from tools to objects used for religious rituals.
Stay on the trail and do not remove anything from this preserve. Bring insect repellent during the warm months.
Hours: Dawn to dusk
Directions on Hilton Head Island: From the intersection of US 278 and Squire Pope Road, drive north and turn left into Greens Park. Pass the office on the left and the entrance to the preserve is on the left at the gate. Go around the gate and walk on the road past the cemetery to the entrance ramp.

1.1 miles
The Leisure Loop at Jarvis Creek Park is an easy .85 mile paved loop. The loop starts behind the restrooms. There’s a small pier at the start of the trail with access to a dock. If you start off counterclockwise, you’ll pass a fitness station to your left.
Pathways extend all over the park and around the lake creating a 1.1 mile loop. Runners, joggers and walkers are all welcome to explore the lakeside paths that extend out into wooded areas. This paved trail is equipped with wooden bridges over marshy areas, so no one has to get their feet too dirty.
There are nine pieces of outdoor training equipment in a peaceful area behind the Live Oak the park was designed around to do some exercises. Each station has a set of instructions that explains how to use the equipment and perform the exercise. You even get a beautiful view of the lake while you’re strengthening your core.
Hours: Dawn to dusk
Directions: Located off of William Hilton Parkway.

2.0 miles
The Hilton Head Island Audubon Society owns and operates the Audubon Newhall Preserve located on Palmetto Bay Road on Hilton Head Island. It is open to the public at no charge from dawn to dusk daily.
The Audubon Newhall Preserve is a series of short, easy walking interconnected trails through a fifty-acre nature preserve. An information and trail guide, available at the entrance, will guide you through the area, where you will see a wide variety of trees and plants, from Florida Scrub to native hardwoods. A feature of the preserve is a rare pocosin (the Indian word for bog), which was once a characteristic feature of barrier islands.
Hours: Dawn to dusk
Directions: From US 278 near the entrance to Hilton Head Island: Turn right onto the Island By-pass. When you reach Palmetto Bay Road, watch for the Audubon Newhall Preserve sign on the right. From US 278 on the south part of Hilton Head Island: Drive west to the traffic circle and turn right (north) onto Palmetto Bay Road. Look for the Audubon Newhall Preserve sign on the left.

8.0 miles
An easy walk or ride through a maritime forest and marshland in well-protected preserve. The preserve has a 4,000 year old Indian shell ring, a wild flower meadow with dozens of flower varieties, fresh water lakes suitable for fishing, and a bountiful bird habitant. Shade is plentiful during the summer months. Restrooms, drinking water, and a picnic area are available in the center of the preserve at Fish Island.
The land has been sculpted by changing sea levels over the past 15,000 years and traces of the first inhabitants still remain. The Indian Shell Ring is 4,000 years old and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. As recently as the 1950’s hunting and timber harvesting occurred in the preserve.
Length: Approximately 2 miles of walking/hiking nature trails and 6 miles of multi-purpose trails
Fees: If you are not a guest of a permanent or temporary resident of Sea Pines, there is (per car) fee to enter Sea Pines Plantation.
Directions from the entrance to Hilton Head Island: Drive on SC 278 and turn right onto the Cross Island Parkway (toll fee required). Continue to the traffic circle on Palmetto Bay Road and turn right onto Greenwood Drive. The Sea Pines gate is in 0.2 miles and the preserve is 1 mile from the gate on the left.

Information courtesy of South Carolina Trails, https://www.sctrails.net/trails