Six Suspension Bridge Hikes within the Blue Ridge
SAN FRANCISCO’S GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE SWAYS practically 28 ft facet to facet. Whereas which will sound like loads, its capability to sway provides it the soundness it wants to face up to the area’s frequent earthquakes. Within the Blue Ridge, we don’t have bridges as well-known as the massive pink one out west, however we do have loads that can lead you into some gorgeous surroundings and supply new vantage factors of the encompassing mountains. Right here’s a information to 6 candy suspension bridge hikes across the South.
Raven Cliff Falls & Dismal Loop
South Carolina
Discover a rhododendron wonderland within the Upstate area of South Carolina alongside Matthew’s Creek, a waterway chock stuffed with cascades and the large, 420-foot Raven Cliff Falls. The suspension bridge spanning the creek offers cascade views on one facet and views throughout the gorge on the opposite.
Entry it by way of a 7.7-mile lollipop hike within the Mountain Bridge Wilderness Space in Caesars Head State Park that connects the Raven Cliff Falls, Dismal, Naturaland Belief, and Gum Hole Trails. Most people go clockwise to get the laborious half executed first and to catch the long-distance view of Raven Cliff Falls. For people who wish to try the bridge however skip the view of the falls, go counterclockwise on the lollipop and switch round after hitting the bridge—the gap is about the identical, however the elevation change is relatively minimal.
Tallulah Gorge
Georgia
On the Hurricane Falls Path at Georgia’s Tallulah Gorge State Park, a mulch path guides you to overlooks above the park’s namesake gorge, the 1,000-foot canyon deeper than virtually another on the East Coast. This comparatively simple path takes you over a bridge shared with the roadway in addition to a 200-foot suspension bridge that hovers 80 ft above the rocky water beneath.
Relying on which means you go, you’ll both cross the bridge coming to or from Hurricane Falls, a gushing waterfall within the backside of the canyon alongside the Tallulah River. The roughly two-mile loop traverses each the North Rim and South Rim of the gorge, full with a number of scenic overlooks, and a deep dip into the canyon with lots of of stairs resulting in the bridge and, finally, to the platform proper subsequent to Hurricane Falls.
Hikers are in for a deal with the primary three weekends of November throughout the season’s solely whitewater launch days, when water thunders by the gorge and spectators look on from the rim as kayakers problem their expertise over Class IV-V rapids.
Savage Gulf State Pure Space
Tennessee
Savage Gulf State Pure Space is ideal for suspension bridge lovers, with not less than a half-dozen all through the 15,590-acre expanse that’s a part of South Cumberland State Park. Begin mountain climbing from the ranger station, the place the primary bridge is crossed only a fraction of a mile in, heading towards common Savage Falls, and the second will likely be crossed simply earlier than you get to the falls.
After stopping at Savage Falls for a dip, cross again over the bridge and proceed on the North Plateau and North Rim loop for a 17.5-mile lollipop hike (with nice campsites alongside the way in which), or grasp a proper onto Mountain Oak Path shortly after the Dinky Line campsites to beeline to the overlooks on Mountain Oak and North Rim, which is able to embody one other suspension bridge over Savage Creek. Three extra suspension bridges may be discovered alongside the six-mile Collins Rim Path within the southern a part of the park, and one may be discovered alongside the one-mile Greeter Falls Loop path on the park’s jap facet.
Mile Excessive Swinging Bridge
North Carolina
Positioned among the many huge mountains of the North Carolina Excessive Nation, the 228-foot-long Mile Excessive Swinging Bridge at Grandfather Mountain is straightforward to achieve and fairly common. The bridge—inbuilt 1952 and rebuilt utilizing the identical towers in 1999—spans an 80-foot chasm 5,280 ft above sea degree and is likely one of the windiest locations within the state: a 124 mph document was set there within the winter of 2019.
Guests on a time crunch pays the $24 park entrance payment and hike 2/10 of a mile from the parking zone to beautiful, otherworldly views of the encompassing Blue Ridge Mountains. In case you’ve bought time to earn it, begin on the Boone Fork Parking Space close to Mile 299 on the Blue Ridge Parkway and take the Tanawha path to Daniel Boone Scout Path, traversing a number of switchbacks to the highest of Calloway Peak. Then take Grandfather Path throughout view after view till summiting Grandfather Mountain, which is the place the bridge is. This out-and-back hike clocks in round 13 miles.
Toxaway Bridge
North Carolina
The 76.2-mile Foothills Path that weaves the border of North and South Carolina has loads of bridges. Most spectacular is the suspension bridge over the Toxaway River, 225 ft lengthy and positioned about 49.5 miles from the path’s western terminus in Oconee State Park. Duke Energy and Crowder Development Co. rebuilt the bridge in 2019 after years of excellent use since its authentic building in 1982. The FHT has loved better recognition lately, partially as a consequence of its status as the proper coaching hike for the Appalachian Path (assume inexperienced tunnels and plenty of water). Of us who wish to see the bridge however don’t have time for a thru-hike can attain it from Frozen Creek Trailhead, which is 5 miles away, or entry the FHT by boat on the Canebrake Boat Entry.
Eastatoe Passage of the Palmetto Path
South Carolina
Two bridges swing alongside the Eastatoe Passage of the Palmetto Path, South Carolina’s lengthy path. The Bridges grasp over two tributaries of the Eastatoe Creek, a trout-stocked blue vein.
From the Dug Mountain Fishing Entry parking zone, positioned close to Pickens, S.C., hike alongside the Eastatoe Creek. Three-quarters of a mile in, you’re graced with the 95-foot Zeke suspension bridge, which was accomplished in December, 2020. Not lengthy after, you’ll attain a second one. The bridges grasp above the floodline as a result of the constructions they changed have been washed away as a consequence of storms in 2019, stopping hikers from crossing the water and severing the connection to the remainder of the 500-mile Palmetto Path. The Eastatoe Passage is 4.6 miles lengthy, ending at Keowee-Toxaway State Park.
