The Little-Known Hiking Path in Greenville, South Carolina is Our Favorite First Hike of the Year

Hiking is often thought of as a warm-weather activity, with many opting to hit up the Palmetto State's best trails in the spring and summer. Admittedly, the beautiful green months are lovely for getting out and enjoying nature, but you're making a big mistake if you spend your whole winter lazing on the couch eating holiday leftovers. Winter in South Carolina is a special time, and the season presents great opportunities for outdoor exploration. If you're making a New Year's resolution to move more, there's no time like the present, and one of my favorite ways to exercise is to head out for a hike.

There are some great little-known hiking paths in South Carolina where you can stretch your legs and relish in the natural beauty that surrounds us. One of my favorites is the Brissy Ridge Trail in Paris Mountain State Park. This Greenville, South Carolina, trail is incredibly beautiful and poses a bit of a challenge. It's wonderful for starting your year off with a bang and providing a sense of accomplishment that will help you through the next 12 months, no matter what obstacles the year brings.

This is a popular park to visit, particularly in the summer, and it's easy to see why. The vibrant greens of all the trees, the 13-acre lake perfect for swimming and fishing, and the seasonal kayak rentals all combine to make this a summertime oasis perfect for the whole family to enjoy.

Winter at Paris Mountain State Park holds a special kind of beauty, too, though. The park's 15 miles of hiking trails are open until 6:00 p.m. throughout the winter months, and a January visit is a wonderful way to kick off your year in style.

There are several easier trails at the park, including a lovely one-mile loop around Lake Placid, so if you're not in the best of shape, you may want to opt for one of these shorter trails. If you're excited to start the new year off with something more difficult, the Brissy Ridge Trail is a perfect choice.

At 2.2 miles, this loop trail won't take all day long, but the ascent up the ridge that shares the trail's name is no joke. In all, you'll gain nearly 500 feet of elevation during your journey.

The lack of leaves and colors at this time of year means that the views might not be quite as immediately striking as what you'd experience during the warm months, but there are certainly benefits to wintertime hikes. No foliage means much clearer views from overlooks, and the vistas here of Greenville are quite lovely.

Make sure you bring along plenty of water - I love my Camelbak, which is easier to carry along than an old-fashioned water bottle and ensures I can stay hydrated no matter how long my hike is. There are a few downed trees you might have to scramble over (particularly after Hurricane Helen in the fall of 2024), but overall, the hike is considered just moderately challenging and is suitable for most experienced explorers.

For more information about this beautiful trail that's perfect for a New Year's hike, visit our friends at AllTrails. Feeling inspired? Try planning your own trip using Only In Your State’s itinerary planner.