Take A Drive Down One Of South Carolina’s Oldest Roads For A Picture Perfect Day
Many people don’t realize one of South Carolina’s oldest roads is also one of its most scenic highways. In a bygone era, what is now the Cherokee Foothills National Scenic Byway was part of the “Cherokee Path.” The primitive road was part of a much longer route used by the Native Americans and the English and French fur traders, and it stretched all the way from Charleston, SC to Tennessee.
Today, a 120-mile stretch of the old road is one of the most scenic drives in the Upstate, winding from Gaffney to Fair Play. Take a look at some attractions you can visit and fun adventures you can have on this picturesque journey.
Start your journey in Gaffney with a quick detour off SC-11 onto Peachoid Road for an upclose look at the biggest peach in the state. Then continue heading south on the Cherokee Foothills Highway (SC-11). Enjoy those rolling hills and the wide open feel of the upcoming rural landscape.
Just before arriving in Chesnee, you'll reach Cowpens National Battlefield. It's the site of a major Revolutionary War battle that was fought on January 17, 1781. The 845-acre park is open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
After passing through Campobello, take a detour left on to SC-14, and right onto SC-414 to head to the oldest remaining covered bridge in the state. And then head back to SC-11.
Whether you stop by for lunch, dessert (ice cream!) or just to browse through the eclectic selection of items for sale, be sure to stop and stretch your legs at this bakery! (You can thank us later.)
One of the only waterfalls you can see from the road in South Carolina is located right on this road. There will be an obvious roadside parking area. The falls have a park built around them and if you follow the path you'll encounter two more waterfalls upstream. After leaving the waterfall, be sure to fork left ahead to stay on SC-11.
Table Rock was once part of the Cherokee Nation. It's said the Native Americans believe the Gods dined on the larger portion of the rock (the table) and that the smaller section to the left was the chair. You'll be able to see the state's largest natural landmark for miles from SC-11. You can also enter Table Rock State Park and hike to the top for a closer look. (The trail is more than three miles and is considered strenuous due to the elevation gain.)
You'll need a high-clearance vehicle to get to this iconic spot overlooking the Jocassee Gorges and Lake Jocassee. The road is rough, but the journey is worth the effort to get to this view! Take a detour from SC-11 to 448 Horse Pasture Road, Sunset to get here.
Oconee Station State Historic Site and Station Cove Falls - near Walhalla
Established in 1791 on the South Carolina frontier, this site preserves a blockhouse and a second significant structure, a family home built in the early 1800s. The site also has a trail that leads to Station Cove Falls.
The southern end of the Cherokee Foothills National Scenic Byway ends at Lake Hartwell in Fair Play. Enjoy the stunning vistas of this red and blue lake form the highway. If you want a more immersive experience, then you'll find the entrance to Lake Hartwell State Park on the right.
In spite of all the places to stop above, we’ve really only covered a mere few. This scenic byway is only 120 miles long and can easily fill an entire day with fun things to do and places to see. What’s your favorite stop on the Cherokee Foothills National Scenic Byway in South Carolina? For one more iconic stop on this road, keep reading here.
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Robin Jarvis is a travel writer and editor for OnlyInYourState.com with a bachelor's degree in Journalism. Her love for travel has taken her to many parts of the world. She's lived in the Carolinas for nearly three decades and currently resides in Charleston. When she's not working, she loves to cook with friends and check out new adventures. General questions and FAM tours: rjarvis@onlyinyourstate.com.
