12 Incredible Hikes In South Carolina That Anyone Can Do
How about getting outdoors and taking in some fresh air on one of the best hikes in South Carolina?
The hardcore hiking community aside, hiking can be an uncertain prospect for some people who don’t do it very often or are less experienced. Still — others may simply prefer a flatter terrain.
We’ve put together a hodgepodge list of beautiful hikes that anyone can manage. They range from a half mile to five miles in length and some are even ADA accessible. Unless you’re a hardcore hiker, you’re sure to find a trail or two on this list that meet your hiking needs. Here are 12 easy hikes in South Carolina that anyone can take.
This short and easy trail offers great rewards for the little effort and time it takes. In about 30 minutes you can get from your car to the falls. Bring a lunch and enjoy the serenity.
DIFFICULTY: Easy GETTING THERE: The falls and the trail are in Oconee County. Visit the USDA website for more information.
2. Make a day of it at Francis Beidler Forest in Four Holes Swamp.
A name like "Four Holes Swamp" can sound mistakenly menacing to some people. But for boardwalk lovers this trail winds nearly two miles through an Audubon wildlife sanctuary that delivers many sensory rewards.
DIFFICULTY: Easy GETTING THERE: 336 Sanctuary Rd, Harleyville, SC 29448. Visit the Francis Beidler Forest website for more information.
The hike out to Twin Falls is a gorgeous, relatively easy effort with much to see along the way.
DIFFICULTY: Relatively Easy GETTING THERE: US 178N, Past Hwy 11, Left on Cleo Chapman Rd
Sunset, SC 29685. Check out the AllTrails page for more information.
4. Take a walk through the South Carolina Botanical Garden in Clemson.
The Riverwalk Greenway Trail in Rock Hill is 3.4 miles of well marked, mostly paved trail winding along the beautiful Catawba River. Bring the whole family, even the dog. This is a very popular spot so be prepared to share the road, er...trail.
DIFFICULTY: Easy GETTING THERE: 2850 Cherry Rd, Rock Hill, SC 29730
6. Make your way to the Big O and meander through Edisto Memorial Gardens.
The Caw Caw Interpretive Center dishes up 5 miles of interconnecting trails (some ADA approved) through some gorgeous lowcountry terrain. You never know what you'll find along this trail...
Located only a short six-mile drive from downtown Greenville, the trails at Lake Conestee Nature Preserve wind along the famous Reedy River and are perfect for a family outing.
DIFFICULTY: Easy GETTING THERE: There are several trailheads (points of entry). Visit the website for trail maps and more information!
11. Put on your walking shoes and check out Woods Bay State Park.
At Woods Bay State Park in Olanta you'll trek around a real Carolina Bay on a .75 mile loop or you can take an easy hike into the swamp and back on their 500-foot boardwalk.
Little Gap Trail is an easy 2 mile trek through a tall forest. Look! You might even spot this huge nest way up in the tree!
DIFFICULTY: Easy GETTING THERE: 3677 State Park Road, Prosperity, SC
Hiking – and just plain walking – is great exercise and it’s good for the soul too. Have you explored any of the best hikes in South Carolina? Which one is your favorite? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!
Address: Woods Bay State Park, 11020 Woods Bay Rd, Olanta, SC 29114, USA
Address: 3677 State Park Rd, Prosperity, SC 29127, USA
Address: 200 Riverside Dr SW, Orangeburg, SC 29115, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
best hikes in South Carolina
February 24, 2022
Elisa Regulski
Which hikes in South Carolina are short and sweet?
You don’t have to work up a sweat in order to experience nature. We rounded up some of the best easy hikes in South Carolina! For starters, check out the Issaqueena Falls Trail in Walhalla. This kid-friendly hike is only .3 miles long. After a brief stroll, you’ll reach a 100-foot waterfall. Listen as the waters rush down the rocks. This gorgeous place will make you feel one with nature. If you loved this journey, embark on the Sullivans Island Nature Trail. This relaxing hike is only .6 miles long, but it’s packed with incredible views. At the end of this short and sweet adventure, you’ll reach a lovely beach! Need more ideas? Check out our list of the best short, kid-friendly hikes in South Carolina.
What are the most beautiful hikes in South Carolina?
Table Rock Trail, located in Pickens, is one of the most scenic hikes in South Carolina. This 6.5-mile trail weaves through verdant scenery and around shady trees. You’ll definitely want to wear good hiking shoes and bring plenty of water on this adventure! You’ll also find some stunning trails inside Paris Mountain State Park in Greenville. This 15-mile loop never stops being gorgeous. Whether you hike the entire length or just a small portion, you’re in for a treat. And of course, the Rainbow Falls Trail never ceases to amaze. Head over to the town of Cleveland and see it first-hand! For more great ideas, take a look at our list of the most beautiful hikes in South Carolina.
Address: 336 Sanctuary Rd, Harleyville, SC 29448, USA
Address: Spoonauger Falls, South Carolina 29664, USA
Address: Waterfalls Road, Waterfalls Rd, Sunset, SC 29685, USA
Address: Botanical Garden Trail Spur, Columbia, SC 29205, USA
Address: 2850 Cherry Rd, Rock Hill, SC 29730, USA
Address: 1624 W Carolina Ave, Hartsville, SC 29550, USA
Address: Hitchcock Woods, South Carolina, USA
Address: Caw Caw Interpretive Center, 5200 Savannah Hwy, Ravenel, SC 29470, USA
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.
