South Carolina is filled with wealthy historical past, beautiful waterfalls, and wonderful vegetation that hikers can respect. The state is roofed in well-conditioned trails, with most trailheads starting at standard state parks and historic websites. These trails have been designed for hikers of all skills.
This put up will stroll you thru all the very best alternatives for climbing in South Carolina. It doesn’t matter whether or not you’re planning your first-ever climbing journey otherwise you’re a seasoned hiker; there are trails for everybody to get pleasure from all through the state.
Maintain studying to see all the very best trails for climbing in South Carolina!
Finest Straightforward Mountain climbing in South Carolina
These trails are meant for these searching for a simple, 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 climbing in South Carolina. This hike is a favourite of Upstate naturalists.
Each trails lead you to a stunning 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 have been meant to guard settlers from the Cherokee.
Right this moment, 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 climbing path, gives hikers in South Carolina quick access to pure sights. The two.4-mile path begins at Harry Hampton Customer Middle, the place you may 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 thousands and thousands of years of deposits.
You gained’t be within the swamp lengthy, although, because the path leads into larger 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 simple, 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 is usually a problem, with a 1,100 ft elevation change. Alternatively, if you need a tougher 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 simple 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 couple 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 (typically known as Indian Mound Path) at Edisto Seashore State Park is a simple 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 People created a shell ring and stuffed 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 gained’t final endlessly, so now could be the very best time to go to Edisto Seashore State Park and hike alongside the Spanish Mount Path.
Edisto Seashore State Park, typically, is the proper place for newbie hikers in South Carolina to go to because the 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 standard concrete path acceptable for strollers, wheelchairs, and curler skates that comply with the west aspect of Congaree Creek.
The path gives a simple 3.5-mile hike, though South Carolina hikers are suggested to be looking out for snakes, birds, alligators, and different wildlife which will pop up. It is a lovely path for taking photographs, particularly of the creek.
Finest Reasonable Mountain climbing in South Carolina
For those who’re prepared for a slight problem however don’t need to expertise a path that’s too intense whereas climbing in South Carolina, then a average climbing path is what you need. Check out the very best trails for average climbing in South Carolina.
7. The Palmetto Path
The Palmetto Path is 500 miles of cross-state climbing alongside lakes, swamps, and mountain ridges. It enters cities and cities of all sizes, taking hikers in South Carolina by means of a large number 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 actual—and the remaining 120 miles are beneath development. The path connects state and county parks, nationwide forests, nationwide preserves, and wildlife administration areas.
Various terrain sorts are discovered all through the Palmetto Path, with a mixture of straightforward, average, 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 climbing 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 surprising 50-foot waterfall. This path may be discovered after a brief hike on Yellow Department Nature Path. Within the winter, components of town of Walhalla are seen from the path.
Whereas the start of the path is straightforward, the path turns into reasonably troublesome once 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 because the path is on the sting of deep ravines. If it hasn’t rained shortly, the cascade can 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 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 may be slippery. Additionally, you’ll not have cell service on the trailhead or whereas on the path.
Finest Tough Mountain climbing in South Carolina
For those who’re a climbing skilled and discover troublesome climbing trails thrilling, then the next trails are what you’re searching for when climbing in South Carolina.
10. Desk Rock Path
Desk Rock Path is a very talked-about 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 frequent 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 means of 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 path at Paris Mountain State Park’s Picnic Space Six. The path sometimes takes round 2.5 hours to finish.
You’ll hike by means of a blended pine and hardwood forest atop a mountain ridge and climb up and down deep ravines. You may even see birds, snakes, deer, and different wildlife alongside your hike. It is a lovely path to go to whereas climbing 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 car parking zone the place the path began. That is an thrilling journey to take a look at in your South Carolina climbing journey.
12. Raven Cliff Falls Path and Dismal Path Loop
By itself, Raven Cliff Falls Path at Caesars Head State Park is barely a average hike. However when hikers comply with the Dismal Path Loop from Raven Cliff, the journey turns into fairly strenuous. Raven Cliff Falls is the most well-liked 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 3 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 sometimes takes hikers 5 to seven hours to finish roundtrip, so plan to spend the higher a part of your day climbing in the event you dream of finishing The Dismal Loop.
13. Pinnacle Cross Path
Pinnacle Cross Path is a 10-mile hike additionally at Caesars Head State Park that results in a fantastic 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 gives a number of the greatest views on the East Coast.
14. Rainbow Falls and Jones Gapp Falls Trails
Rainbow and Jones Gapp Falls Trails may 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 climbing in South Carolina on these trails.
Hikers in South Carolina are suggested to do the Rainbow Falls path first, so you will get a lot of the elevation out of the best way whilst you’re recent and stuffed with power. This strenuous hike is value 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 complete path is 77 miles lengthy and is a superb alternative for these climbing 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! Keep in mind to bookmark this web page to confer with each time that you must discover a fantastic path for climbing in South Carolina.
Are you planning on tenting in South Carolina too? Take a look at our put up concerning the greatest tenting spots in South Carolina.
