Summary:
Climb through forests of dazzling fall colors to three panoramic overlooks high in the Cherokee foothills.

From the Nature Center, follow the well-marked trail (paved initially) through the woods. Cross a couple of footbridges and at the trail junction head left, signed to Pinnacle Mountain. The trail through the trees is now unpaved, although still clearly defined, and is marked by green and yellow blazes painted intermittently on the trees.

20 minutes into the trail, the gradient gets a little steeper, and you reach another junction. The Carrick Creek nature loop heads right; you turn left signed to Pinnacle Mountain, the trail now marked by yellow blazes. Now you are away from the popular nature loop, you can expect the trail to be much quieter.

A steep climb up the forested hillside follows, with barely a turn in the path to ease the gradient. After 25 minutes the gradient lessens as you approach a rocky overhang, which you skirt to the left.

The path is generally easy underfoot as you continue heading through the trees, with just some exposed tree roots and the odd short section of boulders. A level section is welcome after the steep climb, and as you round the hillside there are glimpses of distant views through the trees to your left.

Soon you reach Mill Creek Falls, where a short, gradual climb leads to a narrow ladder bridge. Cross over and continue climbing alongside the tumbling creek. Fortunately, the climb is interspersed with level sections that makes the going a little easier.

At the next junction, 10 minutes after Mill Creek Falls, turn left for Pinnacle Mountain (the right turn is for Mill Pass, a short-cut route to Table Rock avoiding the climb up to Pinnacle Mountain summit, but which also misses the wonderful views at Bald Rock).

Another 15 minutes of climbing leads to Bald Rock Overlook, the first of three magnificent viewpoints on the hike. Haze permitting, there are far-reaching views on both sides over layers of forested hills, fading away into the distance. In October, the turning leaves transform the hillsides into a palette of yellows, reds and greens. Birds of prey catch the thermals and soar above the valley. This is a great place to rest for a while and enjoy the panorama – there are no more expansive views until Governors Rock, about a couple of hours away.

The trail continues through the trees, passing the Foothills Trail junction after 15 minutes and reaching the 3,425-ft summit (indicated by a small cairn and a survey marker) after another 15 minutes of steeper climbing. As is common with many of these tree-covered mountain summits, there are no views at the top.

Bear right to head down from the summit on the wooded trail connecting Pinnacle Mountain with Table Rock. This is a very tranquil part of the hike – on a busy October weekend, we didn’t pass another hiker. We picked our way through a natural quilt of autumn leaves, often completely covering the trail. However, we still found the trail to be obvious, and there are red blazes painted on the trees to confirm the way. In autumn, take the time to stop and look up – trees arch above you displaying a kaleidoscope of colors – reds, peaches, pinks, oranges, tans and yellows – to form a breathtaking canopy.

From Pinnacle Mountain summit, it is about an hour of generally easy descent, with some undulating sections, to Panther Gap junction. Here veer left for the second ascent of the day – another 400 ft or so to the summit of Table Rock.

A steep climb over large boulders and exposed tree roots takes you to the second viewpoint: Governors Rock (2,920 ft). The trail to Table Rock is a popular one, much busier than Pinnacle Mountain, but the view from Governors Rock more than compensates.

Another 20 minutes of undulating trail takes you to the summit of Table Rock (3,124 ft), which like Pinnacle Mountain is covered in trees and offers no views. But expansive views are not far away: continue along the trail and a 5-minute descent leads out to another large outcrop with an excellent view out to Caesars Head.

To return to the Nature Center car park, which takes around 1.5 hours, head back to Panther Gap and turn left. The descent is via a generally wide and well- defined track, with some log and rock steps. Just below Panther Gap, stop at a small rocky outcrop on the right for another fine vista.

Summary of viewpoints (times from trailhead):

Bald Rock Overlook – 1.5 hours
Governors Rock – 3.5 hours
Table Rock – 4 hours

Directions: Table Rock State Park is on SC 11, the Cherokee Foothills Scenic Highway. It is 22 miles west of Travelers Rest and 30 miles north-west of Greenville via US 276, and 12 miles north of Pickens via the 178.

Trailhead: At the Carrick Creek Interpretive Center (referred to as Nature Center on trail map and signs).

Length: 10.6 miles / 17.0 km

Trail Type: Loop

Elevation Change: 2,265 ft / 691 m
Total ascent 2665ft / 815m

Duration: 6 hours

Trail Condition: Generally well maintained, although steep and rugged in places. Less populated trails are blazed – Pinnacle Mountain, yellow; connector trail, red.

Features: Mixed pine-hardwood forests, huge rock outcrops with expansive views.

Climate: Year-round trail, best in spring and autumn.

Accommodation: Cabins (7-night minimum stay in peak season), tent and RV sites (mainly first-come, first-served) inside the Park. Limited motel and B&B accommodation on SC 11 close to the Park. Some motels in Travelers Rest, plenty of choice in Greenville.

Trail Notes: Trail maps available at the Cherokee Foothills visitor center, opposite the Park on SC 11. Hikers are required to self-register at the trailhead before setting out. Beware of sheer drops from the outcrops.

Summary:
A forest climb culminates at a high overlook of Jones Gap, with a rugged descent via slickrock and huge boulders.

As an alternative, a short connector trail can be used to link together the first part of each of these trails, forming a half-day loop. The loop can be followed in either direction, but we describe it anti-clockwise (out via Rim of the Gap, back via Pinnacle Pass).

From the trailhead, follow the Foothills Trail along the Middle Saluda River for a few seconds, before branching left onto the signed Rim of the Gap Trail (numbered 6, blazed yellow). As you head through the trees, the trail is clear and generally easy under foot, although undulating. At one particularly steep point, a short cable has been fixed to help you up.

After no more than 15 minutes, you reach a junction where the Rim of the Gap and Pinnacle Trails meet. This is the start of your loop. The Pinnacle Trail is ahead, but to follow the loop anti-clockwise, take a right to continue along Rim of the Gap.

This is where the climbing really begins, steep in places, and a bit more rocky and rugged. You pass through beautiful deciduous trees that, because of the low elevation, retain some leaf color into mid-November. Rhododendrons line the path and there are some small creeks to cross. The trail condition is variable, from easy under foot to wet and rocky. You climb steadily for around an hour, with a couple of level sections to break things up. 1.9 miles from Jones Gap, a post marks the junction with connector trail (number 22). This is where you leave Rim of the Gap.

Fork left to head downhill on the connector trail, blazed purple. It is just 0.1 mile to Pinnacle Pass Trail (number 20). Turn left along Pinnacle Pass, the post marker showing 3.3 miles back to Jones Gap. Now blazed orange, it is a nice, level walk along a wide track to begin with, but the trail soon becomes more undulating as it winds through the trees. When we hiked, there were some fallen trees to negotiate, sometimes completely blocking the path.

After some fairly steep, short climbs, broken by level sections and even some descending, the trail becomes pretty level as you head along a tree-covered ridge over Little Pinnacle Mountain. A little under an hour after turning onto Pinnacle Pass, a cable on the left leads steeply down to a rock overlook, where you have an unobscured view of the length of Jones Gap. It is undeniable a stirring sight, although somewhat marred by the pylons rising up the hill across the valley.

Pull yourself back up the cable to the trail. It descends steeply at first, then switchbacks ease the gradient. As you wind down the mountain, you can see Jones Gap to your right through the trees. After about 20 minutes, you start to see a change in the trail condition: the remaining 30 minutes of the loop will be more undulating, rugged and strenuous. You pass rocks dripping with water, and cross a huge, sloping boulder. After this rocky section the trail descends steeply once again, with more log steps and more water to cross. Water drips from a ledge to your left above the trail and, shortly after, you cross a rock water-slide, wet and very slippery.

The steep descent continues alongside the ‘water-slide’ – it is a welcome relief when the trail levels for a short time. There are yet more slippery boulders to clamber over – a cable is fixed to help you along without falling flat on your face (the cables on this trail are well placed and much appreciated).

Another climb, and soon the loop is completed. At the trail junction, fork right onto Rim of the Gap Trail (blazed yellow) to return to Jones Gap trailhead, 0.4 mile away.

Directions: From Greenville, head north through Travelers Rest and Marietta on US 276. Branch right (following the signs) onto River Falls Road. It terminates at the State Park, 11 miles north-west of Marietta and 25 miles north-west of Greenville.

Trailhead: Just beyond the visitor center.

Length: 5.3 miles / 8.5 km

Trail Type: Loop

Elevation Change: 1,320 ft / 402 m

Duration: 3.5 hours

Trail Condition: Maintained and marked by paint blazes. Posts at junctions indicate the different numbered trail options. Pinnacle Pass Trail is more rugged, crossing slickrock, wet and very slippery in places.

Features: Forest, expansive view, rock slopes.

Climate: Year-round trail, best in spring and autumn.

Accommodation: Trailside camping only at Jones Gap. Tent and RV sites nearby on the Cherokee Foothills Scenic Highway 11 (including Table Rock State Park). Limited motel and B&B accommodation on SC 11 (including Table Rock State Park). Some motels in Travelers Rest, plenty of choice in Greenville.

Trail Notes: Hikers are required to self-register at the trailhead. Topographical trail maps are available from the visitor centers at both Jones Gap (11am-noon) and Caesars Head (9am-5pm). Park gates open 9am.

Summary:
From an overlook of Raven Cliff Falls, continue on to a dramatic swing-bridge over Matthews Creek Gorge.

Pass the Gum Gap Trail turn-off on the right (you will take that later to get to the bridge). Now the trail descends about 530 ft (more steeply at the end) to an observation deck, 2.2 miles from the trailhead. Across the gorge is 420-ft Raven Cliff Falls, a well-known landmark in the area. Surrounding the rocky gorge are rhododendron and azalea, chestnut oak and hickory forests, giving a wonderful display of color in late spring and autumn.

Backtrack about 0.7 mile (climbing up the 530 ft as you go) and turn left onto Gum Gap Trail (number 13, blazed blue). Follow this easy trail for about 1.7 miles until you reach a junction. Continue on Naturaland Trust Trail (number 14, blazed pink), which descends about 370 ft in 0.3 mile to a swing-bridge over Matthews Creek and above Raven Cliff Falls. The beautiful view it offers marks the turning-round point of the hike.

If you really want to avoid re-tracing your steps, the large number of inter-connecting trails in the Mountain Bridge area makes it possible to form a loop back. You can continue on Naturaland Trust Trail for another mile or so, then turn left to climb the Dismal Trail (number 12, blazed purple) to rejoin Raven Creek Falls Trail not far from the overlook (but fortunately avoiding the steepest part of that trail). These trails are a lot more strenuous: Naturaland Trust descends another 900 ft from the swing-bridge and, in the course of its 1.5 miles, the Dismal Trail climbs 1,160 ft.

Directions: Caesars Head is on US 276, 30 miles north-west of Greenville and 8 miles off the Cherokee Foothills Scenic Highway 11.

Trailhead: From the visitor center (where an overlook provides an expansive, albeit hazy, view of the surrounding area), continue north on the 276 for a further mile to the Raven Cliff Falls parking area. The trailhead is across the road.

Length: 8.5 miles / 13.6 km

Trail Type: Out and back

Elevation Change: -530 ft / -162 m
Total asent of 900ft / 275m

Duration: 4.5 hours

Trail Condition: Maintained and generally easy under foot. Marked by paint blazes. Posts at junctions indicate the different numbered trail options.

Features: Waterfall, gorge, forests of rhododendron and chestnut oak, views.

Climate: Year-round trail, best in spring and autumn.

Accommodation: Tent and RV sites nearby on SC 11 (including Table Rock State Park). Limited motel and B&B accommodation on SC 11 close to Table Rock. Some motels in Travelers Rest, plenty of choice in Greenville.

Trail Notes: Hikers are required to self-register at the trailhead. Topographical trail maps are available from the visitor centers at both Jones Gap (11am-noon) and Caesars Head (9am-5pm). This trail is popular – arrive early (Park opens 9am) and avoid weekends if possible.