South Carolina is one of the most beautiful places I have been to. Imagine looking over the shores and still enjoying an amazing green nature cover with even a few features like waterfalls and streams close to the shore.

It is also very much known for the number of Hike trails and biking that many people will be willing to travel long distances so that they can experience. That is why we decided to take a different approach. You could enjoy your hike as you continue with your sightseeing so that you maximize your stay in South Carolina.

Several trails lead you to some of the waterfalls that are very exciting and usually gives most people a great rush. You will need to go through them and see which one favors you more. You would not want to feel wasted, and you have invested your time and money.

15 beautiful waterfall trails in South Carolina

1. Raven Cliff Falls

One of the greatest reasons why people tend to even go on trails is because of the hike that comes along with it. The loop trail here is 4 miles and could get very hard to maneuver for most people. Located on the Matthews creek in Greenville County, it is known because it has one of the tallest waterfalls in South Carolina. You are therefore in for a very exciting experience.

• Duration: 2.5 hours
• Route Type: Out and Back
• Distance: 4 miles
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Best Time: Spring thru Fall
• Location: Raven Cliff Falls

2. Yellow Branch Falls

It is a 3-mile hike just outside the town of Walhalla. It is labeled out and back because you can still use the same path to reach the falls and come back too. Being accessible all year round, you are assured of great nature watching including the birds and nature at its best apart from the great hike that you will be exposed to.

On your way to the falls, you will get to enjoy a great array of groves of hardwood and during the winter you can be able to see the town of Walhalla through the bare trees. It is an experience you would not want to miss.

• Duration: 1.5 hours
• Route Type: Out and Back
• Distance: 3 miles
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Best Time: Spring thru Fall
• Location: Yellow Branch Falls

3. Falls Creek Waterfall Trail

This is an amazing 1.9-mile hike that is found in Cleveland. The Falls Creek specific trail is best known by hikers because of the nature trips, bird watching exercises and also its acceptance to dogs as much as they should be leashed. You will be able to enjoy some flat stretches and a few streams during your trail walk.

It is, therefore, the best because it is short enough to allow you to get to the falls while still energetic and excited too. On the other side, there is a great picnic spot if you would still be interested in extending the adventure that you will be having.

• Duration: 1.5 hours
• Route Type: Out and Back
• Distance: 1.9 miles
• Difficulty: Hard
• Best Time: Spring thru Fall
• Location: Falls Creek Waterfall Trail

4. Carrick Creek loop

Enjoying a fantastic 1.9-mile hike in Pickens could be one of the items in your checklist. Between March and November, you get to experience the true nature and the activities that are offered along this loop.

As the perfect option for all family members of all ages, you will start the hike at the Nature Center where you will be given a map that will help to guide you on the paths that you should take. There are several hot spots on the way that you will need to ensure your children and pets do not get close to it.

• Duration: 1 hour
• Route Type: Out and Back
• Distance: 1.9 miles
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Best Time: Spring thru Fall
• Location: Carrick Creek Loop

5. Lower Whitewater Falls Trail

It is an out and back 4.2-mile trail that is located in Salem. With this trail, you get to pass a lake among many other things that Mother Nature has in store for you. You should note that unlike the other trails this one includes two sets of falls. The lower and the upper. You could decide to enjoy both but you will need to be on one of the overlooks which happen to be some distance from the falls.

If you are in for a great adventure, you can decide to walk through both the upper and the lower falls but you should be well-armed with water and a good pair of shoes. They are managed by cooperation’s meaning it would be so much easier to get guides or maps just in case you get lost along the hike.

• Duration: 2.5 hours
• Route Type: Out and Back
• Distance: 4.2 miles
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Best Time: Spring thru Fall
• Location: Lower Whitewater Falls Trail

6. Wildcat Wayside Nature Trail

It is one of the simplest and shortest hikes that you will be able to enjoy while you are in Cleveland. Categorized as the best for all skill leveled it means that you can even enjoy a simple walk without having any extended issues with it.

It has an upper and lower fall with a distance of around 0.9 miles only. The nature trail loop will take you through a forest and a stream where you get to see the upper falls in its natural beauty. The lower falls can be seen from the parking area even before you start the hike.

You should, however, be warned that the upper falls have been known for the increasing number of accidents that happened along the base of the falls.

• Duration: 1 hour
• Route Type: Loop
• Distance: 1.2 miles
• Difficulty: Easy
• Best Time: Spring thru Fall
• Location: Wildcat Wayside Nature Trail

7. King Creek Falls Trail

Just near the Chattooga River, you will get to experience the amazing 70-foot waterfall. The 1.7-mile hike that happens to be some distance way from Mountain Rest. It is an easy hike; therefore, you don’t have to fear the walk. It also happens to be a slight elevation with only 249 feet to elevate during each hike.

The hike then happens to be both dog’s friendly and child-friendly making it a perfect family getaway at any time you wish to. It could get rocky though meaning you will need to have good shoes with you at any time.

• Duration: 1 hour
• Route Type: Out and Back
• Distance: 1.7 miles
• Difficulty: Easy
• Best Time: Spring thru Fall
• Location: King Creek Falls Trail

8. Table Rock Trail

It is one of the hardest trails that anyone can ever be put up to do. It will, therefore, need a good amount of preparation and warning before you start the trail. It is a 6.4-mile hike near Pickens and is preferred during March until October.

There is a $5 park fee if you would like your vehicle handled well enough as you embark on the exciting trail adventure. You will need to elevate to a height of over 2240 before you get to the falls. The good thing is that it does not have to be boring and tiresome time. You will be involved in several other activities that may not seem so hard after all.

• Duration: 4 – 5 hours
• Route Type: Out and Back
• Distance: 6.4 miles
• Difficulty: Hard
• Best Time: Spring thru Fall
• Location: Table Rock Trail

9. Peachtree Rock

This is one of the loop trails that is 2.4 miles located just outside Lexington. The fact that it is accessible all year round makes it perfect for both family adventures and even a personal hike once in a while. Going through the 203 feet elevation will be a perfect simple hike that will be good enough to get your body exercised and still enough energy for you to enjoy the sight at the end of the hike.

• Duration: 1.5 hours
• Route Type: Loop
• Distance: 2.4 miles
• Difficulty: Easy
• Best Time: Spring thru Fall
• Location: Peachtree Rock

10. Paris Mountain Big Loop

This loop happens to be one of the hardest trails that people ever have to go through. Enduring a 12.3-mile hike is never an easy joke for many people. Just close to Greenville you will be assured of lakes and other amazing nature breaks that you will able to enjoy along the way. You will, however, be able to enjoy it more from March until October when the weather is still quite warm.

It consists of the mountain creek, Brissy Ridge, Pipsissewa, North Lake, Kanuga and the Sulphur Springs Trails all joined into one. Several water bodies could be seen but cannot be ingested. This is just a warning. The officials allow almost anyone to go through most of the hikes unless they are very young.

There are limitations to bikers during the weekends because of the good number of hikers who participate in the walk. However, during the weekdays, you can enjoy your ride or your walk without limits.

• Duration: 9 – 10 hours
• Route Type: Loop
• Distance: 12.3 miles
• Difficulty: Hard
• Best Time: Spring thru Fall
• Location: Paris Mountain Big Loop

11. Oconee Station and Station Cove Falls Trail

The 1.6-mile hike is usually categorized as one of the many hikes that almost anybody can go to. Between March and May will be the best time for you to be part of the teams that adventure the Oconee Station. Get to pass through ponds, fall trails, swam and even under beautiful old trees all year long.

The falls are safe enough for you to enjoy good proximity to it. The waterfalls that you will find there are 60 feet high coming from the Station Mountains that happen to be above the trail.

• Duration: 1.5 hours
• Route Type: Out and Back
• Distance: 5.2 miles
• Difficulty: Easy
• Best Time: Spring thru Fall
• Location: Oconee Station and Station Cove Falls Trail

12. Opossum Creek Falls Trailhead

The trail is a 4.4-mile hike along Long Creek. It is not affected by adverse weather. Therefore, it allows people to use it all year round. You can even go along with your feline friend whenever you wish. With this hike, you will be able to enjoy a good 810 feet elevation before you can get to the waterfall.

It could look short but it one of the most exciting ones that I had a chance of going to.

• Duration: 2.5 hours
• Route Type: Out and Back
• Distance: 4.4 miles
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Best Time: Spring thru Fall
• Location: Opossum Creek Falls Trailhead

13. Ashmore Heritage Preserve Trail

It is also known as the Chandler Rock located near Cleveland. The 4-mile hike happens to be one of the best because of it, including a river and an allowance for dogs as company. You will get to hike an approximately 935 feet elevation for you to get to the rocks from which you will be able to enjoy the amazing falls.

It has also been noted as one of the few places where photography and a nice picnic will be highly appreciated as long as you remain close or on the trails. To avoid any inconveniences.

• Duration: 1.5 hours
• Route Type: Out and Back
• Distance: 4 miles
• Difficulty: Hard
• Best Time: Spring thru Fall
• Location: Ashmore Heritage Preserve Trail

14. Jones Gap and Rainbow Falls Trail

This is an 11.9 mile of heavy traffic located near Cleveland. The long-distance hike makes it be termed difficult in most cases. It, therefore, needs a more reliable form of preparation. The weather between March and October happens to be the best times even for the people who do not know the area well enough. This hike also includes having to rise to a height of around 2778 feet high which is the reason why it is also termed as one of the hardest trails known.

The paths have been wooded but still get closed at 6 pm because of the safety of the people while at the same time allows the people who are working in the area to also have a rest. With such heights, darkness cannot be your friend.

• Duration: 1.5 hours
• Route Type: Out and Back
• Distance: 1.2 miles
• Difficulty: Hard
• Best Time: Spring thru Fall
• Location: Jones Gap and Rainbow Falls Trail

15. Twin Falls Trail

It is an amazing 2.3-mile hike that is just some distance from Sunset South Carolina. Between April and November, you can come and have fun seeing the waterfalls and enjoying the products of nature. You get to hike up a 429 feet distance that then gives you a great visual image of the waterfall and the surrounding beauty.

There are an upper and a lower falls giving it the name twins. However, you should note that the upper falls cannot be seen from the trail taking you to the upper falls. Many people tend to confuse it with the lower falls trails. So be careful.

• Duration: 1.5 hours
• Route Type: Out and Back
• Distance: 2.3 miles
• Difficulty: Easy
• Best Time: Spring thru Fall
• Location: Twin Falls Trail

Final word

In South Carolina, there are so many amazing natural features that the waterfalls are just the tip of the iceberg. However, you can infuse the other amazing thing together with your hike up a waterfall that you have always wanted to go to. Among the list that we have provided, many of them will offer you a map while you might be lucky to get a guide in some of them. Especially when it comes to the ones that have been categorized. Choosing the best one of you is important so that you don’t get your expectations wasted. It is general knowledge but you should ensure that you have basic things like water and some energy drinks as well as comfortable and safe clothes while you are going on the hike.