Ninety Six National Historic Site Loop Hike Map
Length: 5.5 miles
Time: 3.5 hours
Difficulty: Mainly flat and easy with a couple moderate hills
The four trails at Ninety Six National Historic Site (Historical, Gouedy, Fisherman’s, and Cherokee Path) can be hiked as one, big loop. The only section skipped is a .1-mile stretch along the Historical Trail that runs from the Ninety-Six town site (where the Gouedy Trail starts) to the Cherokee Path trailhead. You will miss the the Old Jail site, but since no jail remains, all you are really missing is a field with a marker stating that the old jail once stood here. If you hate out-and-back trails as much as I do—don’t want to see the same things twice—and don’t mind a longer hike, this is the best way to see the entire park.
The total distance of the hike is 5.5 miles. The trip takes about 3.5 hours, which allows time to see all the sites the park has to offer and take a short break or two along the way. The trails are all relatively flat and easy, though there is a moderate hill at the start and end. I did the hike on a beautiful day in late September and didn’t even break a sweet. I only drank a small bottle of water, but if you are doing this on a hot summer day, I suggest carrying a half gallon.
Start out on the Historical Trail, hiking in the clockwise direction from the Visitor Center. When you get to the Ninety Six town site, take the Gouedy Trail (.8 mile from the start). Though described in the park literature as a loop trail, it is actually what I call a lollipop trail. The hike starts off on the stick segment before coming to the loop portion. The Gouedy Trail crosses the Cherokee Path Trail about a quarter mile down. Keep straight on the Gouedy Trail, but on the way back take a right on the Cherokee Path Trail to get to the Star Fort Pond. Hike around the pond on the Fisherman’s Trail, the most scenic of the lot. Once around the pond, return on the Cherokee Path Trail, hiking it in its entirety all the way back to the Historical Trail. Once at the Historical Trail, go left to return to the Visitor Center.
For details and plenty of photos of each trail, please read their individual review pages.
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Last updated on October 17, 2026
