Top 10 Hiking And Trekking Spots In South Carolina, USA

hiking in south carolina
Rienz Althron
Rienz Althron 
Published
| 4 min read

Named after King Charles I of England; the birthplace of the Godfather of Soul music, James Brown; home of Monkey Island; cotton, tobacco, soybeans, corn, and other plant products– these are some of the things that are known about South Carolina. But the state also has several places where you can hike and enjoy nature. If you’re the type of traveler who has grown tired of visiting malls and doing modern recreational activities, and you prefer exploring spots with great views and a bit of a challenge, then definitely read on. We will share with you some of the top hiking and trekking spots in South Carolina, USA.

1. Double Tree Fork

Clemsonforest2
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Bennyvu used under CC BY-SA 3.0

Double Tree Fork is one of the trails in the Clemson Experimental Forest. It is great for people who prefer a not so difficult track to take. It features a river where you can fish or take a swim, plus the trail is naturally adorned with wildflowers that will keep you calm while trekking. The trail’s distance from start to finish is about 3.7 miles (less than 6 kilometers) and its elevation gains are 413 feet (125 meters). The best time to explore this trail is between the months of April and September.

Double Tree Fork

Address: Central, SC 29630, United States

Website:Double Tree Fork

Visited this place?

2. Table Rock Trail

Upper Table Rock (15701306787)
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Bureau of Land Ma... used under PUBLIC DOMAIN

Table Rock Trail is a 3.7-mile (less than 6-kilometer) loop type trail. The trail has plenty of wildflowers to entertain you while you are trodding its path. Plus, there are several activities that will keep you and your family well-bonded, such as fishing, canoeing, and horseback riding. The trail has an elevation gain of 895 feet (272 meters). In addition, dogs are allowed in the trail. The best time to go hiking in Table Rock Trail is between March and November.

Table Rock Trail

Address: 158 E Ellison Ln, Pickens, SC 29671, United States

Website: Table Rock Trail

Opening hours: Sun - Thu: 7am - 7pm; Fri - Sat: 7am - 9pm

Visited this place?

3. Triple Creek Trail

West of Smyrna, SC - Triple C Rail Trail
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user John Lühr used under CC BY-SA 3.0

Triple Creek Trail is a moderately difficult trail ideal for people who don’t want a very hard trail to explore. It is located in the Clemson Experimental Forest, which means that visitors will be able to enjoy stunning views of the greens. The length of the trail is about 3 miles (4.8 kilometers), and its elevation gains can reach up to 423 feet (128 meters). Other features of the trail include wildflowers, lake, forest, and a kid- and dog-friendly environment.

Triple Creek Trail

Address: Central, SC 29630, United States

Visited this place?

4. Foothills Trail

Foothills Trail photo by Thomas King
Source: Pexels

Foothills Trail is a point to point trail. Its length is 67.6 miles (108 kilometers) and its elevation gains are 18,274 feet (5570 feet). The trail is considered a difficult trail to take; the length and the elevation gains say it all! So, you might want to prepare your body and mind before setting out on an adventure on this trail as it isn’t for the faint of heart, and certainly not for beginners! Despite its difficulty, the trail features several consolations that make all the hardships worth it, such as a lake, waterfalls, stunning views, and camping areas.

Foothills Trail

Address: 851 SC-107, Mountain Rest, SC 29664, United States

Website: Foothills Trail

Visited this place?

5. Whippoorwill Trail

Got trails cut today for electric fencing to start the regeneration of our forest and begin its journey to a functioning...

Posted by Whippoorwill Farms SC on Friday, 11 October 2019

Whippoorwill Trail is an easy trail for beginners and for veteran hikers who are looking for a casual hike. It is a 6.2-mile (about 10 kilometers) loop trail that is ideal for cycling, bird watching, and enjoying fantastic views. Its elevation gain is 321 feet (about 98 meters). It is best to trek between the months of March and October. You can also walk your dog here, so they can breathe some fresh air with you, just make sure that they are on a leash.

Whippoorwill Trail

Address: South Carolina 29682, USA

Visited this place?

6. Paradise Loop

Francis Marion NF1
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Daniel Barcelona used under CC BY-SA 3.0

Paradise Loop is another easy track to explore. It is 3.3 miles in length (about 5.3 kilometers) with an elevation gain of 196 feet (about 60 meters). Its features include a lake and a forest, and it is great for people who love mountain biking. Dog lovers will also love this trail because dogs are allowed here, so long as they are leashed. If you’re not a hardcore hiker and you just want to relax in nature, then this trail is definitely the right one to take!

Paradise Loop

Address: Fort Mill, South Carolina

Website: Paradise Loop

Visited this place?

7. Bombs Away Trail

Bombs away trail. #mtb #specialized #barends #twobrains #xc #rubbersidedown #rolleverything #singletrack #soontobeauthorized #lostglasses #ride #macforest #osuresearchforest @teamdirttrails

Posted by Trey Jackson on Friday, 19 October 2018

Bombs Away Trail is about a mile in length (1.2 kilometers) and it reaches 964 feet (294 meters) elevation gains point to point hiking trail. It is considered a moderately difficult trail to take due to some obstructions such as rocks and tree roots. The trail is mostly flat, but there are parts that are uneven. If you’re looking to take your hiking to the next level after taking so many easy trails, then definitely explore this one.

Bombs Away Trail

Address: Central, SC 29630, United States

Visited this place?

8. Daniel Island Waterfront Trail

hiking in south carolina | daniel island waterfront trail
Source: instagram

If you’re naturally a water-loving person as well as someone who loves trekking, then go to Daniel Island Waterfront Trail. It is a loop type trail with a length of 17.7 miles (about 28 kilometers) and an elevation gain of 13 feet (about 5 meters). It features a river where you can take a dip, go boating or maybe catch some fish. The trail is great for beginners and advanced hikers alike, and it is accessible all year round.

Daniel Island Waterfront Trail

Address: Charleston, SC 29492, USA

Visited this place?

9. Southern Trail

A trail in South Carolina
Source: Needpix.com

Southern Trail is another friendly track to trek. With its mostly even terrain, it is perfect for casual hikers. Southern Trail is a loop type trail and has a length of 1.6 miles (2.6 kilometers), which is relatively short. There’s a lake near the trail where you can swim if you get tired from walking.

Southern Trail

Address: South Carolina 29579, USA

Visited this place?

10. Rocky Creek Trail


Rocky Creek Trail is an out and back hiking trail with a distance of 2.3 miles (3.7 kilometers) and an elevation gain of 72 feet (22 meters). It is situated near the Great Falls, so you’ll also have an opportunity to freshen up if you feel like you could use a body of water to swim in. Some of the activities that are popular here are paddle sports and bird watching. The trail is considered easy and kid-friendly, and it is even dog-friendly, too, provided that they’re on a leash!

Rocky Creek Trail

Address: 1030 Chester Ave, Great Falls, SC 29055, United States

Website: Rocky Creek Trail

Visited this place?

Enjoy nature on the trails in South Carolina

There are plenty of ways to enjoy nature in this state, and hiking is one of them. So, if you are visiting with the intent of taking on some of its famous hiking spots, be sure to visit our suggested hiking and trekking spots in South Carolina, USA.

Visited this place?
Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

History


Get Trip101 in your inbox

Unsubscribe in one click. See our Privacy Policy for more information on how we use your data

Rienz is a former office-based employee who entered the world of travel writing. His ultimate dream is to be able to travel the world and experience as much of it as he can. By pursuing his dreams,...Read more

 Want to contribute as a Local Expert?
Explore South Carolina
Looking for accommodation?
x
Good things are meant to be shared!
Back to top
Visited any of these places? Click this button to activate our "Add a Tip" feature to share your experience.