Event Information

Program Dates:
• Recruitment: January 2024
• Training: January-March
• Hike Weekend: Midlands April 6, Lowcountry April 13, Upstate April 20

Event Location: The Palmetto Trail
Length of Hike: 20+ miles
Registration Fees: A $100 personal donation is requested at time of registration and will be credited toward your overall fundraising goal.

Event Schedule: 

  • Friday Night - Pasta Party
  • Saturday - Hike Day 
  • Sunday - Victory Breakfast

About The Trail

The Palmetto Trail is 500 miles of cross-state hiking and bicycling paths beside lakes, across mountain ridges, through forests, into towns big and small, and across swamps allowing individuals to enjoy nature, practice conservation, and learn history—all while being physically active. The passages reveal the rich diversity and fascinating history, culture, and geography of the Palmetto State.

Upstate Hike: April 20 - 23 miles including the highest point in S.C.
Midlands Hike: April 6 - 22 miles including the Wateree passage and Poinsett State Park
Lowcountry Hike: April 13 - 24 miles ending at Awendaw passage

About the Trailblaze Challenge

The Trailblaze Challenge is an outdoor journey that invites hikers of all levels to support Make-A-Wish South Carolina families, enjoy and explore the outdoors on endurance hikes, and build South Carolina pride & community through an all-inclusive hike experience.

By supporting the Trailblaze Challenge, you will help Make-A-Wish South Carolina grant more than 220 wishes this year.

 THE CHALLENGE – An endurance hike (or two or three) on The Palmetto Trail - This scenic trek provides participants an opportunity for adventure, fun and fitness while making a direct impact on the lives of children in our community battling critical illnesses. This is a hike, not a race, and caters to all fitness levels, from novice to advanced outdoor enthusiasts.

 THE PROGRAM – From January through March, our program will prepare you for your journey in both training and fundraising. You'll receive a personal training schedule, have the opportunity to participate in weekly training hikes and receive instruction on footwear and hiking gear from seasoned professionals. Make-A-Wish will make sure that you have every tool available to make you successful on and off the trail!

 THE MANTRA - "It's not a race. It's a journey." In this program, there are no winners or losers. Our goal is to bring people together to build community around families who are faced with the harsh realities of critical illnesses. When you take your first step on your journey as a Trailblazer, you are paving the way for a brighter tomorrow for children right here in your community.

How Do I Get Started?

To begin this life-changing journey, first-time participants will need to attend an information meeting. The meetings are designed to inform you about the mission of Make-A-Wish and describe in-detail the weekend-long hike event. It's imperative to attend an information so we can help you understand how you will succeed in the program.

Looking for something else? Check out our FAQ page.