Most people know the Doodle Trail as one of the Upstate’s most popular places to walk, run, and bike. But what many visitors do not realize is that every mile follows a railroad corridor that has helped shape Pickens County’s history for more than a century.
Stretching approximately 8.5 miles between downtown Pickens and downtown Easley, the Doodle Trail follows the route of the former Pickens Railroad, better known to generations of local residents as the Pickens Doodle. Today the trains are gone, but the railroad’s story remains visible all along the trail if you know where to look.
Why Is It Called the Doodle Trail?
The trail gets its name from the historic Pickens Doodle railroad.
Local legend says the train earned the nickname because the locomotive could not easily be turned around at either end of the line. Instead, it often had to travel backward for part of the trip, causing residents to compare it to a doodlebug scurrying along the tracks.
The railroad began operating in 1898 and remained an important transportation link between Pickens and Easley for more than 100 years. The final trains ran in 2013, and the corridor was transformed into the Doodle Trail, which opened in 2015.
Starting in Historic Pickens
Many visitors begin their journey at the Pickens trailhead near East Cedar Rock Street.
Before heading down the trail, take some time to explore downtown Pickens.
Things to Do Near the Pickens Trailhead
- Visit the Pickens County Museum
- Walk through historic downtown Pickens
- See the outdoor amphitheater
- Explore local shops and restaurants
- Visit nearby Hagood Mill Historic Site
- Learn about the county’s railroad and textile history
For history lovers, this end of the trail provides the perfect introduction to the industrial heritage that helped build Pickens County.
Mile 0 to Mile 2: The Railroad Comes Alive
Within the first couple of miles, you begin seeing some of the engineering that made the railroad possible.
Your photos show one of the most impressive examples—a deep railroad cut beneath a highway bridge.
When railroad engineers built the line, trains could not handle steep grades. Workers carved through hillsides and constructed embankments to keep the route relatively level.
Even though the tracks are gone, these railroad cuts remain largely unchanged from the late 1800s.
Mile 2 to Mile 5: Hidden History in the Woods
This section is often one of the quietest stretches of the trail.
Large trees now dominate areas that once would have been cleared railroad right-of-way. In some places, thick vines and vegetation cover old embankments and drainage features that date back to the railroad era.
Your photos of the vine-covered landscape almost look like a forgotten jungle reclaiming the corridor.
Many longtime residents remember when trains still traveled through these same areas carrying freight between Pickens and Easley.
The Forgotten Cotton Mill Connection
One of the most fascinating stories connected to the Doodle Trail involves the former Pickens Cotton Mill.
For decades, the railroad helped support local industry by transporting raw materials and finished goods. The cotton mill depended on rail transportation to connect with markets beyond Pickens County.
Today, most of the mill is gone, but the remaining concrete towers can still be spotted near the trail. These towers are among the last visible reminders of one of Pickens County’s most important industrial employers.
Together, the Doodle Trail and the mill ruins tell the story of how railroads and manufacturing once worked hand in hand to drive the local economy.
Mile 5 to Mile 7: A Trail for Everyone
This section of the trail is particularly popular with:
- Families with strollers
- Recreational cyclists
- Runners
- Dog walkers
- Visitors exploring the Upstate
The paved surface makes the trail accessible to nearly everyone.
Along the route, you’ll find:
- Road crossings
- Rest areas
- Benches
- Parking access points
- Shaded sections perfect during summer
The trail’s gentle grade reflects its railroad origins, making it much easier than many mountain-area trails.
Arriving in Easley
As you approach Easley, the scenery gradually transitions from wooded railroad corridor to urban greenway.
Things to Do Near the Easley End
- Explore Doodle Park
- Visit Easley City Green
- Enjoy local restaurants and coffee shops
- Attend community events and festivals
- Shop in downtown Easley
- Relax in one of the city’s public gathering spaces
The Easley extension, completed in 2017, connected the trail directly to downtown, making it easier than ever to turn a trail ride into a full day of exploring.
How Long Does It Take?
Walking
- One way: 2.5–3 hours
- Round trip: 5–6 hours
Running
- One way: 1–1.5 hours
- Round trip: 2–3 hours
Cycling
- One way: 30–60 minutes
- Round trip: 1–2 hours
Many visitors choose to park at one end, travel part of the trail, then return to their starting point.
Best Times to Visit
Spring
Wildflowers, comfortable temperatures, and fresh green foliage.
Summer
Excellent tree cover provides shade across much of the route.
Fall
Colorful leaves create some of the trail’s most beautiful scenery.
Winter
The best season for spotting hidden railroad features normally concealed by vegetation.
More Than a Trail
The Doodle Trail is often described as a recreational path connecting Pickens and Easley. In reality, it is something much bigger.
It is a preserved railroad corridor, a piece of transportation history, a link between two communities, and a reminder of the industries that once powered the Upstate economy.
Every bridge, railroad cut, embankment, and mile marker tells part of a story that began in 1898 when the first Pickens Doodle train rolled down the tracks.
Today, instead of locomotives carrying freight, the corridor carries walkers, runners, cyclists, families, and visitors exploring one of the most unique historic trails in South Carolina.l villages to mountain tourism, the history of Pickens County is ultimately a story of resilience, adaptation, and a deep connection to the land that continues to define the Upstate today.
