Sulphur Springs Trail, A 3.8-Mile Hike In South Carolina, Takes You Through An Enchanting Forest
Hiking within a South Carolina state park is a wonderful way to enjoy reconnecting with Mother Nature. Trails are usually well-maintained and you can almost always count on meeting or at least passing a few smiling strangers who are also seeking a memorable outdoor experience. For a bit of a challenge from a technical point of view, take the 3.8-mile trek known as the Sulphur Springs Trail at Paris Mountain State Park.
If a few inclines and some rocks and roots aren't an issue for you, then you'll likely love this forest adventure that leads past some interesting sights within this state park.
The trail begins at Picnic Area 6 at Paris Mountain State Park just outside of Greenville. Since it's a loop trail, you'll be faced with the immediate decision of which way to go: clockwise or counter-clockwise. Most people prefer clockwise.
For a short distance, the trail meanders alongside a quaint mountain stream. In wetter weather, you may enjoy the gurgling sounds of the water washing over the rocky bottom as you make your way over the path and an occasional footbridge.
The trails in this park are well marked and often crisscross one another, so keep an eye out for the white blazes or for the White Sulphur Springs trail signs.
A few scrambles along the way may have you wondering if you should turn around, so hiking sticks could be helpful. Follow the trail along a picturesque mountain ridge where the sights and sounds of the pine and hardwood forest may inspire you to slow down and take it all in.
Paris Mountain State Park is home to at least four lakes and nearly 14 miles of hiking trails. Some of the trails, including this one, have sections that are shared with mountain bikers. To best avoid them, just head to this trail during the week instead of weekends.
The park itself was built in 1936 by the CCC, a public work relief program initiated after the Great Depression that put Americans back to work. The land where the park sits is filled with folklore carried forward from the days when the Cherokee Indians lived here.
For more information on this enchanted forest, 3.8-mile hike in South Carolina, refer to our friends at alltrails.com. They also have an app you can download and bring along for guidance, provided you have cell service. Paris Mountain State Park charges a $5 admission/parking fee, but the park has so much to offer in the way of outdoor recreation. For more information on the park, see this link on the official website of South Carolina Parks.
Address: 2401 State Park Road, Greenville, SC, 29609
Robin Jarvis is a travel and entertainment 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 spent more than two decades living on the coast in South Carolina and currently lives in the mountains of North Carolina - although she still makes it back to see family in South Carolina quite often. When she's not working, she loves to hike, kayak, and check out new adventures. Get in touch at [email protected]
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