Whether hiking is a favorite activity of yours or not, you’ll likely love these easy hikes in South Carolina. They’re not too strenuous and each offers a little something different in the way of discovery. They’re truly some of the best hikes in South Carolina and are especially beautiful during spring. Check them out below and then plan out how many of the best hikes in South Carolina you can conquer before the weather gets too hot.
- Raven Rock Loop Trail - near Sunset
alltrails/Kathy Robertson
alltrails/ Heidi Charalambous Raven Rock Loop Trail starts out easy and crosses a creek on a natural granite bridge, but then it climbs up (and up some more) to Raven Rock, where you’ll get a look at the waters below. Eventually, it drops back down to the shores of the lake only to start another climb back up. Other than some climbing, the trail is fairly easy and moderately trafficked. The trailhead is found within Keowee Toxaway State Park. 108 Residence Dr, Sunset, SC 29685, USA
- Yellow Branch Falls - Walhalla
alltrails/Dustin Nguyen
alltrails/Sara Ross The trail to Yellow Branch Falls is a mere 3.5 miles out and back and is considered easy. Yellow Branch Falls is a stunning 50-foot stacked-rock display. During seasons with much rain, you may find the above water crossing a bit difficult, especially if you’re carrying small children. The trail begins at a picnic area along SC-28 near Walhalla. There is a well-placed and easily visible sign along the road. 2911 Highlands Hwy, Walhalla, SC 29691, USA
- Lake Haigler Loop - Fort Mill
alltrails/Kru Soto
alltrails/Cynthia Salas Possibly one of the best easy hikes in the state, the Lake Haigler Loop is a mere 3.3 miles and features several water crossings - and as many bridges, including a suspension bridge with a wooden floor! This hike is great for kids and kids at heart. The trail is located among the 40 miles of hiking trails found within the Anne Springs Close Greenway in Fort Mill. Anne Springs Close Greenway - Adventure Road, 104 Adventure Rd, Fort Mill, SC 29715, USA
- Cedar Falls Park Trail - Fork Shoals (near Fountain Inn)
alltrails/Rory Steppling
alltrails/Brian Adams The 2.2-mile Cedar Falls Park Trail is located within Cedar Falls Park. This hike is loaded with a variety of things to see, including the remains of an old mill and many waterfalls and cascades. The trail is a loop and has little elevation gain, making it easy, peasy. Find the trailhead within Cedar Falls Park. 201 Cedar Falls Rd, Fountain Inn, SC 29644, USA
- Palmetto Trail Awendaw Passage - McClellanville
alltrails/Adrianne Jarvis
alltrails/Jessica Mullis As you may imagine, any trail in the Lowcountry of South Carolina is going to have many water and swamp crossings and this 13-mile roundtrip trail through the Francis Marion Forest follows suit. The Palmetto Trail is very well maintained and, surprisingly, has a lot of foot traffic, so expect to share the path. Wear mosquito repellent and even bring your dog, if you like. The trailhead is located in the Buck Hall Recreation Area. 903 Shellmore Ln, McClellanville, SC 29458, USA
- Waldrop Stone Falls - Central
alltrails/Jamie Pace
alltrails/Ned Newsome The super fun and easy Waldrop Stone Falls (it’s only one mile) is a loop that winds into the woods to a cascade known as Waldrop Falls. Although the trail is easy, it does narrow near the end and there is an optional staircase if you want to descend to near the base of the waterfall. Locate the trail along Waldrop Stone Road just off Madden Bridge Road. Waldrop Stone Falls, Central, SC 29630, USA
- Sea Pines Forest Preserve - Hilton Head
alltrails/Lexi Van Camp
alltrails/Birgit Nazarian Located within Sea Pines Forest Preserve, this 3.3-mile loop trail takes you through some gorgeous wetlands with a variety of wildlife. In the spring, the flowers are abundant. If you’re not a guest at the resort, then you will likely be asked to pay a small fee to enter the preserve. It’s accessible via the south end of U.S. 278, near Lawton Road on Hilton Head Island. Sea Pines Forest Preserve, Hilton Head Island, SC 29928, USA
- Rocky Creek Trail - Great Falls
alltrails/Todd Niday
alltrails/Ellen Baker Though possibly more of a walk than a hike since it’s mostly flat terrain, the Rocky Creek Trail is still enjoyable, especially when you take into account the unexpected waterfall! The trail is a mere 2.3 miles and features a (you guessed it) rocky creek for much of the distance. Find the trailhead near the town limits. 1030 Chester Ave, Great Falls, SC 29055, USA
- Sawmill Branch Bike and Hike Trail - Summerville
alltrails/Alan Hanscom
alltrails/Andrew Wood Paved for the entire 13.2 miles, the Sawmill Branch Bike and Hike Trail in Summerville follows a canal for much of the way. Locals love it because it’s clean, not too terribly busy, and provides a chance to get out and walk on a regular basis. There is parking available at both ends of the 6.6-mile trek. They are located at Gahagan Road and Berlin G. Myers Parkway and at the end of Cross Creek Drive in Summerville. Sawmill Branch Trail trailhead, Summerville, SC 29485, USA
So, do you agree? Are these the best hikes in South Carolina? Ever trekked along the trails mentioned above? Did we miss your favorite trail? Whatever it is, we want to hear from you!
alltrails/Kathy Robertson
alltrails/ Heidi Charalambous
Raven Rock Loop Trail starts out easy and crosses a creek on a natural granite bridge, but then it climbs up (and up some more) to Raven Rock, where you’ll get a look at the waters below. Eventually, it drops back down to the shores of the lake only to start another climb back up. Other than some climbing, the trail is fairly easy and moderately trafficked. The trailhead is found within Keowee Toxaway State Park.
108 Residence Dr, Sunset, SC 29685, USA
alltrails/Dustin Nguyen
alltrails/Sara Ross
The trail to Yellow Branch Falls is a mere 3.5 miles out and back and is considered easy. Yellow Branch Falls is a stunning 50-foot stacked-rock display. During seasons with much rain, you may find the above water crossing a bit difficult, especially if you’re carrying small children. The trail begins at a picnic area along SC-28 near Walhalla. There is a well-placed and easily visible sign along the road.
2911 Highlands Hwy, Walhalla, SC 29691, USA
alltrails/Kru Soto
alltrails/Cynthia Salas
Possibly one of the best easy hikes in the state, the Lake Haigler Loop is a mere 3.3 miles and features several water crossings - and as many bridges, including a suspension bridge with a wooden floor! This hike is great for kids and kids at heart. The trail is located among the 40 miles of hiking trails found within the Anne Springs Close Greenway in Fort Mill.
Anne Springs Close Greenway - Adventure Road, 104 Adventure Rd, Fort Mill, SC 29715, USA
alltrails/Rory Steppling
alltrails/Brian Adams
The 2.2-mile Cedar Falls Park Trail is located within Cedar Falls Park. This hike is loaded with a variety of things to see, including the remains of an old mill and many waterfalls and cascades. The trail is a loop and has little elevation gain, making it easy, peasy. Find the trailhead within Cedar Falls Park.
201 Cedar Falls Rd, Fountain Inn, SC 29644, USA
alltrails/Adrianne Jarvis
alltrails/Jessica Mullis
As you may imagine, any trail in the Lowcountry of South Carolina is going to have many water and swamp crossings and this 13-mile roundtrip trail through the Francis Marion Forest follows suit. The Palmetto Trail is very well maintained and, surprisingly, has a lot of foot traffic, so expect to share the path. Wear mosquito repellent and even bring your dog, if you like. The trailhead is located in the Buck Hall Recreation Area.
903 Shellmore Ln, McClellanville, SC 29458, USA
alltrails/Jamie Pace
alltrails/Ned Newsome
The super fun and easy Waldrop Stone Falls (it’s only one mile) is a loop that winds into the woods to a cascade known as Waldrop Falls. Although the trail is easy, it does narrow near the end and there is an optional staircase if you want to descend to near the base of the waterfall. Locate the trail along Waldrop Stone Road just off Madden Bridge Road.
Waldrop Stone Falls, Central, SC 29630, USA
alltrails/Lexi Van Camp
alltrails/Birgit Nazarian
Located within Sea Pines Forest Preserve, this 3.3-mile loop trail takes you through some gorgeous wetlands with a variety of wildlife. In the spring, the flowers are abundant. If you’re not a guest at the resort, then you will likely be asked to pay a small fee to enter the preserve. It’s accessible via the south end of U.S. 278, near Lawton Road on Hilton Head Island.
Sea Pines Forest Preserve, Hilton Head Island, SC 29928, USA
alltrails/Todd Niday
alltrails/Ellen Baker
Though possibly more of a walk than a hike since it’s mostly flat terrain, the Rocky Creek Trail is still enjoyable, especially when you take into account the unexpected waterfall! The trail is a mere 2.3 miles and features a (you guessed it) rocky creek for much of the distance. Find the trailhead near the town limits.
1030 Chester Ave, Great Falls, SC 29055, USA
alltrails/Alan Hanscom
alltrails/Andrew Wood
Paved for the entire 13.2 miles, the Sawmill Branch Bike and Hike Trail in Summerville follows a canal for much of the way. Locals love it because it’s clean, not too terribly busy, and provides a chance to get out and walk on a regular basis. There is parking available at both ends of the 6.6-mile trek. They are located at Gahagan Road and Berlin G. Myers Parkway and at the end of Cross Creek Drive in Summerville.
Sawmill Branch Trail trailhead, Summerville, SC 29485, USA
In the mood for something a little more challenging? Don’t think these easy hikes in South Carolina will satisfy your need for adventure? Don’t worry, there are trails of all kinds in the Palmetto State. One that adventure-seekers won’t want to miss is the Rim of the Gap Loop Trail.
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The OIYS Visitor Center
Best Hikes In South Carolina April 14, 2022 Daniella DiRienzo Are there any kid-friendly hikes around South Carolina? The easy hikes in South Carolina don’t end with the trails above. There are lots of easy, kid-friendly hikes around South Carolina including the Nature Trail at Croft State Park. The 1.5-mile loop trail passes through a variety of wildlife habitats, following the rocky shoals of Fairforest Creek and winding past the remains of an old mill site. What are the most scenic hikes in South Carolina? When talking about scenic hikes in South Carolina, Station Cove Falls Trail is bound to come up. Short and rated as “easy,” the three-quarter-mile trail leads trekkers through an Appalachian cove forest, which, in spring, transforms into a wildflower wonderland. The highlight of the trail, though, is definitely its namesake – Station Cove Falls. After admiring the 60-foot cascade from afar, make your way down to its base, where you can splash around in the pool below the falls. Aside from the best hikes in South Carolina, what are some other ways to enjoy the outdoors? South Carolina is pure paradise for outdoor enthusiasts. There are tons of places to get out in nature including Table Rock State Park. Nestled at the edge of the Blue Ridge Mountains, the 3,000-acre park is brimming with perks. In addition to providing a breathtaking backdrop, the park boasts an old-fashioned swimming hole, two lakes, a campground, and cabins. Park-goers can also enjoy endless hiking opportunities, as the park’s hiking trails serve as the access point for the Foothills Trail.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Best Hikes In South Carolina
April 14, 2022
Daniella DiRienzo
Are there any kid-friendly hikes around South Carolina? The easy hikes in South Carolina don’t end with the trails above. There are lots of easy, kid-friendly hikes around South Carolina including the Nature Trail at Croft State Park. The 1.5-mile loop trail passes through a variety of wildlife habitats, following the rocky shoals of Fairforest Creek and winding past the remains of an old mill site. What are the most scenic hikes in South Carolina? When talking about scenic hikes in South Carolina, Station Cove Falls Trail is bound to come up. Short and rated as “easy,” the three-quarter-mile trail leads trekkers through an Appalachian cove forest, which, in spring, transforms into a wildflower wonderland. The highlight of the trail, though, is definitely its namesake – Station Cove Falls. After admiring the 60-foot cascade from afar, make your way down to its base, where you can splash around in the pool below the falls. Aside from the best hikes in South Carolina, what are some other ways to enjoy the outdoors? South Carolina is pure paradise for outdoor enthusiasts. There are tons of places to get out in nature including Table Rock State Park. Nestled at the edge of the Blue Ridge Mountains, the 3,000-acre park is brimming with perks. In addition to providing a breathtaking backdrop, the park boasts an old-fashioned swimming hole, two lakes, a campground, and cabins. Park-goers can also enjoy endless hiking opportunities, as the park’s hiking trails serve as the access point for the Foothills Trail.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
The easy hikes in South Carolina don’t end with the trails above. There are lots of easy, kid-friendly hikes around South Carolina including the Nature Trail at Croft State Park. The 1.5-mile loop trail passes through a variety of wildlife habitats, following the rocky shoals of Fairforest Creek and winding past the remains of an old mill site.
What are the most scenic hikes in South Carolina?
When talking about scenic hikes in South Carolina, Station Cove Falls Trail is bound to come up. Short and rated as “easy,” the three-quarter-mile trail leads trekkers through an Appalachian cove forest, which, in spring, transforms into a wildflower wonderland. The highlight of the trail, though, is definitely its namesake – Station Cove Falls. After admiring the 60-foot cascade from afar, make your way down to its base, where you can splash around in the pool below the falls.
Aside from the best hikes in South Carolina, what are some other ways to enjoy the outdoors?
South Carolina is pure paradise for outdoor enthusiasts. There are tons of places to get out in nature including Table Rock State Park. Nestled at the edge of the Blue Ridge Mountains, the 3,000-acre park is brimming with perks. In addition to providing a breathtaking backdrop, the park boasts an old-fashioned swimming hole, two lakes, a campground, and cabins. Park-goers can also enjoy endless hiking opportunities, as the park’s hiking trails serve as the access point for the Foothills Trail.
