The 17-Mile Trail In South Carolina That Leads To An Extraordinary Lookout
By AnneMarie|Published October 30, 2023
×
AnneMarie
Author
South Carolina has been home for AnneMarie since 2001. Her favorite part of the state is Lake Jocassee. An App State alumna, it's always the mountains; the lake bonus makes it heavenly. When not writing about the state, she may be spending time with family, relaxing by the pool, or out somewhere enjoying nature.
Standing at an overlook offers the most incredible views, showing a perspective that feels almost like being on top of the world. You’d be hard-pressed to find a better place to experience the beautiful colors of fall, especially. But truly, the scenery is amazing at any time of year. There are many overlooks to choose from in the upstate area of South Carolina, but one of them known as the Table Rock Viewpoint is the most visited running overlook in the state. And the trail leading to it is the best hike near Sunset, S.C. for those looking for a challenge with significant elevation gains along with some of the most impressive views in the state.
Sassafras Mountain in the small town of Sunset is South Carolina's highest point, so this hike known as the Sassafras Mountain to Table Rock Viewpoint trail takes you from one breathtaking view to another, with lots of gorgeous scenery in between.
This mountain hiking trail is considered a challenging hike, with plenty of inclines, descents, overgrowth, rocks, and more to navigate along the way. Check the AllTrails map for this trail to see the route as well as the elevation gains from start to finish.
Depending on the time of year you're hiking this trail near Sunset, your sights will vary a bit. Of course, during the spring you can expect to see colorful spring flowers, while in the fall the leaves would be providing bursts of color.
And any time of year, you'll enjoy the sights and sounds of the water along this trail, with some waterfalls and creek crossings. If you're a winter hiker and the temperatures have been at the lower points they can reach at times in South Carolina, you may even get to see some frozen waterfalls.
The hike can take an average of about ten hours to complete, so there's a good chance you could end a day of hiking with this gorgeous scene of the sun setting behind the Blue Ridge mountains.
