This popular pathway is reopening to Hilton Head Plantation residents

A mile-long leisure path that runs parallel to the Port Royal Sound — The Bluff Walk — is reopening Saturday to Hilton Head Plantation residents.

“(The Bluff Walk) is probably the second most popular spot,” said Peter Kristian, the plantation’s general manager. “Our leisure paths are the No. 1 amenity in Hilton Head Plantation.”

The pathway needed to be repaired after Hurricane Matthew caused about $2 million in damage, Kristian said. The restored walk is better than it was before, he said.

After about six months of repair work, the leisure path has been restored by removing debris, salvaging and replacing rock, using clay fill to replace soil that was lost, and adding mulch in order to grow grass in the fall, Kristian said.

Clay compacts better than other materials, he said, noting it would not erode as easily in the future.

The June 2017 Hilton Head Plantation newsletter warns that when it rains, the clay may be slick and stick to shoes, but the mulch will add traction.

All that’s left to do is “minor cosmetic work,” Kristian said. That work involves improving the appearance of access ways, adding in fencing that had to be taken down, and dismantling temporary exits and entrances.

This story was originally published June 28, 2017 at 1:51 PM with the headline "This popular pathway is reopening to Hilton Head Plantation residents."