7 Of The Greatest Mountain Hiking Trails In South Carolina For Beginners

Taking the plunge to start hiking, or know someone who is? For that person in your life (even if it’s you… ) who just doesn’t enjoy the overwhelming thought of hiking a trail that becomes too difficult halfway through the trek, the following list is ideal for mountain hiking adventures for beginner hikers. These seven trails are so nice, even experienced hikers will enjoy the trek, too!

Google Local/Isa Monfil

This one-mile loop trail follows a roadside waterfall up the creek to view two more waterfalls before it meanders back to the starting point located on the Cherokee Foothills Scenic Byway (SC-11). There are stairs here, but overall it's a pleasant hike — even for the hiking (un)enthusiast in your life. Be sure to avoid the temptation to venture out onto the rocks that surround the waterfalls and creek... they are slippery, even if they look fine.

Address: 5500 Geer Highway, Cleveland, SC, 29635

alltrails/Lina Voloshin

Who says mountain trail hiking means you have to climb a mountain? The #1 trail at this nature preserve is a short 0.5-mile loop that follows Slickum Creek for a short while and then ascends a whopping 52 feet to the top of a huge granite bluff where the views seem endless. Bring a picnic and enjoy the scenery!

Address: Persimmon Ridge Road, Cleveland, SC, 29635

alltrails/Russell Austin

Take the more adventurous non-hiker in your life along on this trail and you just may take credit for upping their enthusiasm for future hiking adventures. Although the trail has no real technical maneuvers, it is a bit more challenging at 3.8 miles in length and with a total elevation change of 582 feet — but the payoff is astounding when you reach the old 1930s stone dam in the middle of the woods!

Address: 2401 State Park Road, Greenville, SC, 29609

TripAdvisor/Papa-Ratzi

It's a mere 0.3 miles round trip to the top of Issaqueena Falls at Tunnel Park in Walhalla. The cascading waterfall drops 100 feet over stacked rocks and even has a small cave under a ledge where, legend has it, a Native American princess escaped attackers trying to kill her. You can read all about it on the info kiosk at the entrance to the trail.

Address: Stumphouse Tunnel Road, Walhalla, SC, 29691

alltrails/Rebecca Rogers

Circle the 13-acre Lake Placid at Paris Mountain State Park for an easily conquered 0.8-mile trek that is perfect for beginners. Be sure to carve out enough time to stand on the footbridge that crosses the plunge pool for the reservoir spillway so you can enjoy the cool mist from the water.

Address: 2401 State Park Road, Greenville, SC, 29609

alltrails/Sean Hogan

The King Creek Falls trail is an easy-to-moderate trail spanning a total of 1.7 miles out and back. The payoff at the end is a 70-foot waterfall that chutes down a cascade and into a golden plunge pool at the base. Don't bring small children on this one and if you're a beginner, come prepared for a few challenges, like occasional trail obstacles you may have to climb over (downed trees, mainly) and you'll need to pay more attention to your footing on this hike, especially after a rain.

Address: Burrells Ford Road, Mountain Rest, SC, 29664

alltrails/Stephen Eaton

This 1.3-mile trail near Pickens is perfect for kids just learning to hike. There is a small uphill challenge that's rewarded with incredible views. Then, the loop trail converts into an old road as you wind back to the trailhead.

Address: 406 S Glassy Mountain Church Road, Pickens, SC, 29671

For more information on any of the trails above, consult our friends over at alltrails.com. Do you have a person in your life who doesn’t enjoy the thought of hiking? Think you can get them on one of these trails? We’d love to know if you’ve already tried…

Love taking the kids hiking but just aren’t sure about kid-friendly trails in South Carolina? Keep reading here for a list of those, too.