The Magnificent Bridge Trail In South Carolina That Will Lead You To A Hidden Overlook
There’s no better way to combat feeling cooped up inside than to lace up your hiking boots and go reconnect with the great outdoors. Fortunately, South Carolina has plenty of options for those who love exploring nature trails, including many that have water features and waterfall views.
Less than a mile shy of the North Carolina border on SC-107 (near Tamassee), the Sloan Bridge Trail offers a shady oasis that follows the path of the Chattooga River... all the way to a bridge with a magnificent waterfall flowing underneath.
For most of the 1.2-mile trek, the trail flirts with the river, moving from a close distance to views where you'll need to squint through the foliage to see the water.
And at the water's edge... a moss-covered oasis awaits in some of the more secluded twists and turns.
The big reveal occurs at the turning point, or at about 0.6 miles into the journey when you'll reach Sloan Bridge Falls, which flow underneath a bridge.
Be sure to carve out enough time to marvel at the falls. One drop is shown here, but there are two more sections. In all, the total drop is estimated at 25 feet.
This 1.2-mile hike is a short segment of the much longer, more than 70-mile trail known as the Foothills Trail in South Carolina.
That may mean stepping off the trail to allow others to pass with at least six feet between you. Stepping off the trail may mean you'll encounter some uneven ground, so be sure to wear appropriate footwear, like ankle hiking boots. Hiking poles are also recommended.
Our friends at AllTrails rate this hike as easy. Most people should be able to complete the journey in 60-90 minutes, including time to gawk at all of the waterfalls and cascades on the Chattooga River en route to Sloan Bridge Falls. The trailhead and parking area are located on SC-107 approximately one-half mile from the North Carolina border.
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.
