This tour explores the beautiful and unique "low country" coast of South Carolina from Charleston to Beaufort and Hilton Head island.  We start with two nights in charming Charleston and a ride from our hotel in the heart of its quaint historic district across the modern Arthur Ravenel bridge out to Sullivan's Island and Fort Sumpter and Fort Moultrie National Historical Park. On our way to Hilton Head we will spend two nights in South Carolina's second oldest city, Beaufort SC where Hollywood movies The Big Chill and The Prince of Tides were filmed. Here we will ride the Spanish Moss Trail and enjoy exploring this lovely city and it's history. Finally we will head to gorgeous Hilton Head Island, where we will spend two nights at a beachfront resort and enjoy riding along the beach.

 Arrive in Charleston early in the afternoon, bring your luggage by the hotel and request an early check-in, but plan to leave your luggage and take a walking tour of this charming and eminently walkable downtown filled with brick sidewalks, ivy-covered walls, 18th and 19th century architecture and historical markers everywhere. 

30 miles. Today we'll ride from our hotel in downtown Charleston across the Arthur Ravenel bridge out to Sullivan's Island and Isle of Palms. We'll have lunch at a waterfront restaurant and then cycle back along the coast, with an optional stop along the way at Sullivan's Island Lighthouse, to visit Ft. Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Historical Park as well as the beaches. 

After eating breakfast and checking out, we'll van to Beaufort and ride the full 20 miles out and back on the Spanish Moss Trail, then check into our accommodations mid-afternoon: the charming Beaufort Inn. Relax and enjoy the courtyards and verandas of this historic property, or take a walking or horse-drawn carriage tour of the city. 

After breakfast and check-out, we'll load into our van for the one-hour ride down to the beach on Hilton Head Island. We'll park the rig at our beachfront hotel and set out to explore the island's award-winning 64 mile network of public trails (In 2024 the League of American Bicyclists named the town a Gold-level Bicycle Friendly Community.)

Optional - 13.5 miles, or more) Start the day with a pedal ON the beach - yes, ON the beach - for 4 miles, then use a walkway to head into the Sea Pines neighborhood and cycle your way to the Harbor Town Pier and Light house, worth a $7.50 tour/ascent for the view. The more adventurous can catch the ferry to car-free Dafuskie Island for further exploring. Returning to the hotel, the rest of the day is yours to enjoy our beachfront resort -- the luxurious Beach House on Hilton Head Island, with its large oceanfront (but heated!) pool, huge stretch of sandy beach, and Tiki hut deck, or venture out to one of myriad possible activities, such as a round of golf, some pickleball, horseback riding, a fishing charter, crabbing cruise, dolphin eco-tour, standup paddleboard or kayak rental, or/and a craft brewery or distillery tour.

 After breakfast and checkout, we'll load into the van for the 2 hour return trip to Charleston, aiming for noontime arrival. We'll go straight to the airport to drop off anyone taking an afternoon flight home, then return those who drove to the tour to downtown to retrieve their cars.