South Carolina is stuffed with wealthy historical past, gorgeous waterfalls, and beautiful vegetation that hikers can admire. The state is roofed in well-conditioned trails, with most trailheads starting at common state parks and historic websites. These trails have been designed for hikers of all talents.
This publish will stroll you thru all one of the best alternatives for mountaineering in South Carolina. It doesn’t matter whether or not you’re planning your first-ever mountaineering journey otherwise you’re a seasoned hiker; there are trails for everybody to get pleasure from all through the state.
Hold studying to see all one of the best trails for mountaineering in South Carolina!
Finest Simple Mountain climbing in South Carolina
These trails are supposed for these searching for a straightforward, flat hike in South Carolina.
1. Oconee Station and Station Cove Fall Path
Oconee Station and Station Cove Fall Path are situated on the Oconee Station State Historic Web site. Collectively, they make up two miles of straightforward, carefree mountaineering in South Carolina. This hike is a favourite of Upstate naturalists.
Each trails lead you to a beautiful view of Station Cove Falls, a 60-foot waterfall and among the many prettiest within the county
Station Cove Falls has a wealthy historical past. In 1792, the primary European settlers of Oconee County constructed Oconee Station, a small wood-and-stone home a few mile from the waterfall. This fort and an 1805 home had been supposed to guard settlers from the Cherokee.
At this time, the navy fort and close by residence are on the Nationwide Register of Historic Locations.
2. Boardwalk Loop Path
The Boardwalk Loop Path, Congaree Nationwide Park’s hottest mountaineering path, presents hikers in South Carolina quick access to pure sights. The two.4-mile path begins at Harry Hampton Customer Middle, the place you’ll be able to decide up a self-guided Boardwalk Tour brochure.
This boardwalk path is marked with a number of historic websites to teach hikers in South Carolina concerning the space’s wealthy historical past.
The soil and vegetation transition right into a wetter, dense layer of soil, also known as a muck swamp as a result of the water supply within the space is from a 600-foot thick sand layer from hundreds of thousands of years of deposits.
You received’t be within the swamp lengthy, although, for the reason that path leads into greater and drier soil situations. All through your hike, you’ll move numerous species of bushes and wildlife.
3. Winding Stairs Path
The Winding Stairs Path at Cherry Hill Recreation Space is a straightforward, newbie hike so long as you begin on the northern trailhead (situated on the recreation space entrance). The three.5-mile path results in a 75-foot waterfall.
Newbie hikers are suggested to rearrange to be picked up on the southern trailhead as a result of the hike again generally is a problem, with a 1,100 ft elevation change. Alternatively, if you need a harder hike, you can begin on the southern trailhead and hike towards the Cherry Hill Recreation Space.
4. The Doodle Path
The Doodle Path is a straightforward 7.5-mile multi-use path that opened in 2015 as a partnership between the Metropolis of Easley and the Metropolis of Pickens. The Pickens trailhead is one block from downtown, and the Easley trailhead is about half a mile from downtown.
The path is away from visitors and solely has a number of railroad crossings. It passes over a number of scenic bridges, and there are two parks alongside the path: Easley’s Doodle Park and Pickens’s Railroad Park.
5. Spanish Mount Path
Spanish Mount Path (generally known as Indian Mound Path) at Edisto Seaside State Park is a straightforward hike in South Carolina that results in an enchanting piece of historical past: The Indian Mound (additionally known as the Spanish Mount).
The Indian Mound is a mysterious shell mound relationship again to 2,000 B.C. when Native Individuals created a shell ring and crammed it with oyster shells over a few years. Archaeologists say it’s a thriller as to why they did this, although it’s unbelievable.
Sadly, the mound received’t final ceaselessly, so now’s one of the best time to go to Edisto Seaside State Park and hike alongside the Spanish Mount Path.
Edisto Seaside State Park, usually, is the proper place for newbie hikers in South Carolina to go to for the reason that park options over 4 miles of ADA-accessible trails.
6. Timmerman Path in Cayce
Timmerman Path is a part of the Cayce Riverwalk in Cayce, South Carolina. It’s a common concrete path acceptable for strollers, wheelchairs, and curler skates that comply with the west facet of Congaree Creek.
The path presents a straightforward 3.5-mile hike, though South Carolina hikers are suggested to be looking out for snakes, birds, alligators, and different wildlife that will pop up. It is a stunning path for taking photographs, particularly of the creek.
Finest Reasonable Mountain climbing in South Carolina
When you’re prepared for a slight problem however don’t wish to expertise a path that’s too intense whereas mountaineering in South Carolina, then a reasonable mountaineering path is what you need. Check out one of the best trails for reasonable mountaineering in South Carolina.
7. The Palmetto Path
The Palmetto Path is 500 miles of cross-state mountaineering alongside lakes, swamps, and mountain ridges. It enters cities and cities of all sizes, taking hikers in South Carolina by a mess of forests. This path is not more than two hours away from any part of the state.
Over half of the path is accomplished—380 to be precise—and the remaining 120 miles are underneath development. The path connects state and county parks, nationwide forests, nationwide preserves, and wildlife administration areas.
Various terrain varieties are discovered all through the Palmetto Path, with a mixture of straightforward, reasonable, and strenuous elevations. There are 31 passages all through the path, starting from 1.3 to 47 miles.
The Palmetto Path is a must-stop when mountaineering in South Carolina!
8. Yellow Department Falls Path
The Yellow Department Falls path is a reasonably difficult out-and-back path that takes hikers in South Carolina to a shocking 50-foot waterfall. This path could be discovered after a brief hike on Yellow Department Nature Path. Within the winter, elements of the town of Walhalla are seen from the path.
Whereas the start of the path is straightforward, the path turns into reasonably troublesome if you hike alongside steeper terrain about one mile earlier than the waterfall. The path will wind downward, passing alongside the mountainside, then degree out as you get nearer to the waterfall.
Hikers in South Carolina are suggested to make use of warning throughout moist situations for the reason that path is on the sting of deep ravines. If it hasn’t rained shortly, the cascade shall be only a trickle of water.
9. Brasstown Falls Path
Brasstown Falls is a 120-foot waterfall situated on the southern fringe of Sumter Nationwide Forest. Little Brasstown Falls can also be accessible from the Brasstown Falls Path.
The hike to each waterfalls is roughly a one-mile spherical journey and contains straightforward to troublesome strolling paths, with the longest being a .15-mile reasonably troublesome strolling path.
South Carolina hikers are suggested to look at their steps—viewing platforms and stairways to them could be slippery. Additionally, you’ll not have cell service on the trailhead or whereas on the path.
Finest Troublesome Mountain climbing in South Carolina
When you’re a mountaineering skilled and discover troublesome mountaineering trails thrilling, then the next trails are what you’re searching for when mountaineering in South Carolina.
10. Desk Rock Path
Desk Rock Path is a extremely popular and strenuous path at Desk Rock State Park, discovered within the northwest nook of South Carolina. This 3.6-mile path is a rugged hike and elevates 2,000 ft to the best level of a granite dome.
The scenic path contains sights of vegetation widespread within the Southern Appalachians, together with oak and hickory bushes with some pines and hemlock. This hike begins on the Nature Middle and ascends by forests and boulders.
11. Sulphur Springs Path
Sulphur Springs Path is a strenuous hike over a rocky and rugged loop path. Hikers in South Carolina can begin this path in both course at Paris Mountain State Park’s Picnic Space Six. The path usually takes round 2.5 hours to finish.
You’ll hike by a blended pine and hardwood forest atop a mountain ridge and climb up and down deep ravines. You might even see birds, snakes, deer, and different wildlife alongside your hike. It is a stunning path to go to whereas mountaineering in South Carolina.
The path flattens alongside the shores of Mountain Lake, the place hikers move a big dam and comply with one of many a number of path branches that take you again to the parking zone the place the path began. That is an thrilling journey to take a look at in your South Carolina mountaineering journey.
12. Raven Cliff Falls Path and Dismal Path Loop
By itself, Raven Cliff Falls Path at Caesars Head State Park is barely a reasonable hike. However when hikers comply with the Dismal Path Loop from Raven Cliff, the journey turns into fairly strenuous. Raven Cliff Falls is the preferred hike at Caesars Head and leads guests to a view of the best waterfall in South Carolina.
The Raven Cliff Falls Overlook is a 4.4-mile path that takes round two to a few hours roundtrip. From Raven Cliff, hikers can take the Dismal Loop, which is an 8.3-mile path really useful solely for individuals who are bodily match and are searching for a substantial problem.
The Dismal Loop has a 1,200-foot elevation drop taking place. This loop usually takes hikers 5 to seven hours to finish roundtrip, so plan to spend the higher a part of your day mountaineering when you dream of finishing The Dismal Loop.
13. Pinnacle Move Path
Pinnacle Move Path is a 10-mile hike additionally at Caesars Head State Park that results in a lovely view from the highest of the best ridges within the state. It’s additionally the longest path within the Mountain Bridge Wilderness Space. It’s fairly strenuous, however it presents among the greatest views on the East Coast.
14. Rainbow Falls and Jones Gapp Falls Trails
Rainbow and Jones Gapp Falls Trails could be present in Jones Hole State Park. Hikers in South Carolina will want a parking reservation to get pleasure from these trails on weekends and holidays. Collectively, these two trails are about 7.5 miles. You’ll be able to anticipate to spend round 4 hours mountaineering in South Carolina on these trails.
Hikers in South Carolina are suggested to do the Rainbow Falls path first, so you may get many of the elevation out of the way in which whilst you’re recent and filled with power. This strenuous hike is price it as a result of it pays off with magical waterfall views.
15. The Foothills Path
Trailheads to Foothills Path are situated at each Desk Rock State Park and Oconee State Park. Your entire path is 77 miles lengthy and is a good alternative for these mountaineering in South Carolina searching for a multi-day hike. Hikers in South Carolina can anticipate to spend 5 to 10 days on the path.
Wrapping up the Finest Trails for Mountain climbing in South Carolina
Mountain climbing in South Carolina is a real journey. Hopefully, you’ve discovered your subsequent hike! Bear in mind to bookmark this web page to check with every time it’s essential to discover an incredible path for mountaineering in South Carolina.
Are you planning on tenting in South Carolina too? Take a look at our publish concerning the greatest tenting spots in South Carolina.