Foothills
Foothills Trail Update
Through the hard work of hundreds of volunteers, we are happy to announce that the 33 miles from Oconee SP to Bad Creek access is clear and considered OPEN The remainder of the Trail from the Bad Creek spur junction to Table Rock SP is CLOSED and will be for several months. For more information please visit foothillstrail.org. Approximately 52 miles of 76.2 miles have been cleared.
The following sections are 100% cleared:
A2-A3: Sassafras to Chimney Rock
A3-A4 Chimneytop to Laurel Valley:100% clear but a large set of steps is smashed. Barriers with trail closed sign is in place on both ends.
A7-A14: Bad Creek Access to Oconee State Park
The following sections are being cleared:
A1-A2 TR to Sassafras: 65% clear. 3 miles are clear enough to hike from Sassafras towards TR. 3.0 miles of the Pinnacle trail has been cleared. A volunteer reported a HUGE blowdown section area near Long Ridge. Barriers with trail closed sign is in place at Sassafras where the trail meets the road.
A4-A5 Laurel Valley to Laurel Fork Falls Boat Access: 0% clear The spur has been somewhat cleared by inspectors. Many large blowdowns blocked any real progress. Barriers with trail closed sign is in place at Laurel Valley access and where the trail crosses Cane Brake Road.
A5-A6 Laurel Fork Falls Boat Access to Canebrake Boat Access: 15% cleared. We have cleared from Canebrake access to the top of Heartbreak Ridge. Please watch this video concerning the Rock Creek Campsite. Rock Creek Campsite
A6-A7 Canebrake Boat Access to Bad Creek Access: 45% cleared. FTC volunteers cleared from Whitewater to the roadbed across the Thompson River (3 miles of the 16) and investigated to Hilliard Falls many blowdowns from Linerock Gap to Hilliard Falls spur. Gorges SP crews have cleared their section from the powerlines to Canebrake access (4.5 miles of the 16). Barriers with trail closed sign is in place at the Bad Creek spur junction and the Lower WW falls junction.
Gorges SP has cleared the Auger Hole trail, and the Canebrake trail, and the road from Turkey Pen Gap to the FT.
Spur Trails Status:
Gorges SP has cleared the Auger Hole trail, and the Canebrake trail, and the road from Turkey Pen Gap to the FT.
Big Bend Spur
Round Mountain Spur
Back Creek Access Spur
East Fork Spur has been cleared of branches but a root ball hole remains but is passable with care.
Spoonauger Falls Spur is 100% clear. Note: the Connector Trail in between the FT and the Chattooga Trail has been hand cleared but a few blowdowns remain and a root ball hole needs work but is passable with care.
King Creek Falls is 90% clear (note: the last I heard, there were two small blowdowns near the falls that should be removed but it's passable)
All other spur trails are 0% clear.
Trail Activities: t
- Hike
Length:
Type:
Surface:
Difficulty: Difficult
Trail Features: t
- Scenic Observation
- Waterfall
- Trail Head
- Parking
- Water Launch
- Camping
- Pets
- Fee
- Camping
Summary:
Whether you’re looking for a day hike or planning a multi-day through-hike, the Foothills Trail offers adventures of every length and difficulty.
Perhaps no other trail in South Carolina provides such an extraordinary backcountry experience as the difficult, Foothills Trail in the northwest corner of the state. Starting with the 1.2 mile Foothills Access Trail in Oconee State Park, only the first 28 miles of the Foothills Trail from the park to Upper Whitewater Falls was designated a National Recreation Trail in 1979. By snaking along the Blue Ridge Escarpment, this trail and its many connectors provide almost 200 miles of hiking; most of it the rugged Appalachian greenbelt variety. The trail is accessible only to hikers, although vehicular access is available to many points along the main trail which, depending where you start, is either 80 or 85 miles long. Even so, considering numerous spur trails and connectors, an ambitious backpacker could hike the backcountry for more than a week.
Foothills Trail Interactive Map
Length: The National Recreation Trail portion is 28 miles long one way, although the portion from Oconee State Park to Table Rock State Park (the entire Foothills Trail) is approximately 80 miles.
Difficulty: Moderate to Strenuous
Fees: Parking/Entrance to State Parks and U.S. Forest Service parking area at Whitewater Falls
Camping: The Foothills Trail runs through four distinct boundary areas (national forest, wild and scenic river, wilderness, and state park) so camping regulations vary for different segments. Primitive camping is allowed at various places along the trail and there are campsites available at Burrell’s Ford Campground, Cherry Hill Recreation Area, and other nearby State Parks. Services are available at Walhalla, Seneca and Clemson.
Directions:To the southern trailhead: From Walhalla, drive northwest on SC 28 for 8.4 miles and bear right onto SC 107. The entrance to Oconee State Park is 2.5 miles on the right. After the Fee Station turn right and drive to a small parking area just beyond the entrance to Cabin Area 14-20. The trailhead for the Foothills Access Trail is at the Foothills Trail sign.
To the northern trailhead: From the junction of SC28 and SC 11 at Walhalla, drive north on SC 11 north for approximately 13 miles and turn left onto SC 130. Drive 10.5 and enter North Carolina. Watch for a sign directing you to Whitewater Falls and turn right to the parking area. From the restroom area, go south on a spur trail to the Foothills Trails and turn right.
There are several access points on SC 107, including the Sloan Picnic Area, and off SC 107 at Burrell’s Ford Campground on Forest Service Road 708.
Foothills Trail Conference | P.O. Box 3041, Greenville, SC 29602 | (864) 467-9537 | Email
Oconee State Park | 624 State Park Road, Mountain Rest, SC 29664 | (864) 638-5353 | Email
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Trail Segments (Paths) Trail Features (Points of Interest) |
Lat: 35.03098200000005 Long: -82.99204999999995 |
I've only done sections, but want to thru-hike it soon (work keeps getting in the way). I love this trail and the volunteers do a great job of keeping it maintained. I hope to join them when I retire.