Waterfall Trails SPECTACULAR South Carolina’s dramatic mountains and roaring rivers mean plenty of lush wilderness and gorgeous waterfalls. Find your perfect trail, whether you’re looking for a thigh-searing climb or an easy stroll in nature. They all come with incredible views. DIFFICULTY strenuous moderate easy 1.9 MILeS RILEY MOORE FALLS This waterfall on the Chauga River might be modest at only 12 feet tall, but the well-maintained hiking trail in Sumter National Forest also offers colorful springtime wildflowers along the way. 7.2 MILeS TABLE ROCK TRAIL Begin at the Nature Center at Table Rock State Park in Pickens and start your ascent at Carrick Creek Falls to climb 2,000 feet to the summit of Table Rock Mountain. You’ll pass beneath the cool canopy of hickory and oak trees, past numerous waterfalls and up to a spectacular overlook. 1 MILe WILDCAT BRANCH FALLS Also called Wildcat Wayside Falls, this cascade can be seen from SC-11 (Cherokee Foothills Scenic Highway). Pull over and stretch your legs on the quick loop trail for views of the upper and lower falls. 4.4 MILeS RAINBOW FALLS TRAIL Follow the Jones Gap & Palmetto Trail in Marietta’s Jones Gap State Park and take this offshoot trail to see the dramatic Rainbow Falls. All those steep inclines and mountainside stairways will be worth it. 0.5 MILe SPOONAUGER FALLS Along the Georgia–South Carolina border in Mountain Rest start at the Chattooga River Trailhead and follow this short hike to find 50-foot falls. 4.0 MILeS RAVEN CLIFF FALLS Trek this shady trail in Cleveland’s Caesars Head State Park to see where Matthews Creek plunges over the edge of Raven Cliff Mountain to create a 400-foot waterfall—the tallest in South Carolina. Birders, bring your binoculars to spot ravens in the area. 40 Table Rock State Park, Pickens 0.3 MILeS ISSAQUEENA FALLS Follow the walking trail in Walhalla’s Stumphouse Mountain Park to the top of this 200-foot cascade. Interpretive signage tells the history of the falls and early Native people.
South Carolina Vacation Guide SC 2023: Page 40
