Hike the Foothills Trail, North Carolina & South Carolina, USA

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WHAT MAKES THIS AREA UNIQUE?
Folks travel from all over the country to photograph the breathtaking waterfalls you'll pass as you hike this trail. Watch the thundering 400+ foot drop of Upper Whitewater Falls, swim under the shimmering veil of Hilliard Falls, congratulate yourself for conquering Heartbreak Ridge, and let the lap of waves on Lake Jocassee lull you to sleep at one of the stellar campsites on it's banks. You'll never be sure what is around the next corner as you parallel sandy-banked creeks and rivers, run across swaying suspension bridges, climb wooden stairs, glide through mysterious laurel tunnels, descend wide grades, and scramble steep, narrow climbs that will take your breath away.

WHAT YOU’LL SEE: deciduous and evergreen forest, mountain laurel, rhododendron, wildflowers, black bear, whitetail deer, owls.

TERRAIN: mountain.

BEST TIME TO VISIT: Year round. May-June for rhododendron and mountain laurel bloom. Early November for peak fall foliage.

ROUTE OPTIONS:

Y Day Trip
Y Weekend Trip
Y 4 to 7-Day Trip
Y 7 to 14-Day Trip
N Loop Trip
Y Shuttle Service Nearby

POTENTIAL HAZARDS: Steep, slippery stairs, creek crossings.

WHERE TO FIND MAPS/CHARTS: foothillstrail.org/store

PERMITS REQUIRED? No.

PETS ALLOWED? Yes.

FOOTHILLS TRAIL 9-DAY ITINERARY: 54.1 MILES

Day 1
Park your car at Laurel Valley Access.
Get a shuttle ride to Nicholson Ford Access, mm 7.6.
Hike .6 miles to camp at Licklog Creek, mm 8.2.

Day 2
Hike 8.3 miles to camp at Burrells Ford, mm 16.5.

Day 3
Hike 7.1 miles to camp at off-trail site, mm 23.6.

Day 4
Hike 8.7 miles to camp after Lower Whitewater Falls overlook spur, at mm 32.3.

Day 5
Hike 5.2 miles to camp after Hilliard Falls, at mm 37.5.

Day 6
Hike 11 miles to solo spot by Toxoway River, at mm 48.5.

Day 7
Rest day.

Day 8
Hike 10.6 miles to camp after gravel road crossing, mm 59.1.

Day 9
Hike 2.6 miles to arrive at your car at Laurel Valley Access.

INFORMATION

General State Park Information: (803) 734-0156

OTHER ACTIVITIES IN THIS AREA

Swimming, scuba diving, paddle sports.

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