Hiking

Andrew Pickens Hiking Opportunities

Big Bend Trail

Starting from Cherry Hill Recreation Area, this moderate 2.7-mile trail takes you to the Chattooga Trail, not far from the 30-foot hydraulic known as Big Bend Falls. (more)

Brasstown Falls

Tucked away in the southern edge of the district, Brasstown Falls tumbles for 120 feet in three consecutive and equally dramatic drops. A trail makes the upper falls relatively easy to access.

Chattooga Trail

The 18.3-mile Chattooga Trail runs along the Chattooga River and connects with the extensive trail systems of two other national forests and privately-owned land. It provides hikers with a chance to leave civilization and rely on their own strength and skill. The trail is primitive, varying from moderately to extremely difficult, depending on the terrain. (more)

East Fork Trail

The East Fork Trail has two trailheads: one at the Chattooga Picnic Area adjacent to the Walhalla Fish Hatchery and one at Burrells Ford. Starting at the picnic area, East Fork Trail is an easy 2.5-mile hike along the north bank of the scenic, fast-moving east fork of the Chattooga River. (more)

Ellicott Rock Wilderness

Ellicott Rock Wilderness was established by Congress in 1975. Encompassing 9,012 acres, this wilderness spreads across the corners of South Carolina, North Carolina, and Georgia. It also straddles the 15,432-acre Chattooga River Wild and Scenic Corridor. The steep terrain of the Ellicott Rock Wilderness offers numerous mountains and waterfalls to explore. (more)

Foothills National Recreation Trail

The Foothills National Recreation Trail covers about 100 miles, 16.6 miles in South Carolina, including spur and loop trails linking Oconee State Park with Table Rock State Park. The trail crosses numerous rivers and the terrain varies drastically from extremely steep ravines to relatively moderate portions. (more)

Fork Mountain Trail

The moderately difficult, 6.4-mile Fork Mountain Trail starts in South Carolina at the Sloan Bridge Picnic Area and ends in North Carolina where it joins the Bad Creek Trail in the Ellicott Rock Wilderness. From here, the trail eventually intersects with the Chattooga Trail where you can hike north or south. (more)

King Creek Falls

After a moderate 30-minute hike, you reach a spot where you can relax all day and enjoy the spray from these 70-foot falls. (more)

Oconee Connector

Whether hiking or biking, the Oconee Connector provides spectacular views from a 1000-foot high ridge line, especially in the fall and winter. You will also pass through dense hardwood forest and hike on a historic road.

Opossum Creek Falls

The two-hour journey (one way) is quite an effort to reach the 50-foot Opossum Creek Falls. However, reaching the falls could rank among your most rewarding waterfall trips. Most of the two-mile hike ambles along a pleasant trail shaded by an assortment of hardwoods and bordered by wildflowers. When you reach the Chattooga River, turn left onto a heavily vegetated path and scramble around rocks and trees for a 1/2-mile hike to the base of the waterfall. (more)

Riley Moore Falls

A moderate 45-minute hike along a newly constructed trail is worth the effort to view this 100-foot wide, 12-foot high waterfall on the Chauga River. (more)

Rocky Gap Trail

The 12.5-mile Rocky Gap Trail in South Carolina and the 15-mile Willis Knob Trail in Georgia combine to offer some of the most scenic horseback riding in the southern Blue Ridge Mountains. Winding across deeply dissected ridges, the trails descend into the beautiful Wild and Scenic Chattooga River Corridor. Whetstone Horse Camp in South Carolina serves as a base camp for both trails. (more)

Spoonauger Falls

Set back into a hillside and surrounded by an explosion of shrubbery, Spoonauger Falls runs down a stepped rock face in a broad sheet. The 50-foot high waterfall is among the more popular in this area of the Chattooga River watershed due to the easy, 20-minute hike. This waterfall is camera-friendly, especially in the summer when afternoon light highlights the surrounding plants and the horizontal slashes of the rock. (more)

Station Creek Falls

An easy 30-minute hike leads visitors to Station Creek Falls, a stepped 60-foot waterfall that forms from headwaters atop Station Mountain. This protected area contains beautiful displays of spring wildflowers at the base of the waterfall. Because of the sensitivity of this area, please stay on the trails and do not pick the flowers. (more)

Winding Stairs

A 75-foot waterfall tucked away along the moderate, 3.5-mile Winding Stairs Trail makes this one of the finest beginner trails in northwest South Carolina. If you start at Cherry Hill, this easy hike drops 1,100 feet over its length. If you seek a more demanding hike, start at the southern trailhead.

Yellow Branch Falls

Just 1/4 mile south of the ranger station you will find the Yellow Branch Picnic Area. Here you can take a moderately difficult 1.5-mile trail that leads you to the base of a spectacular 50-foot vertical cascade. You will pass through groves of dignified hardwoods and cross meandering creek bottoms before turning to skirt the steep terrain. In the winter, when the trees are bare, you can see the Walhalla vicinity. (more)

Yellow Branch Picnic Area Nature Trail

Just 1/4 mile south of the ranger station, this trail begins at the Yellow Branch picnic area. This rolling, and occasionally steep, 1/2-mile loop highlights creeks, hardwoods, mountain ridges, rocky fords and a rushing creek. If you want to extend your hike, midway through this trail you can take a 1.3-mile spur to Yellow Branch Falls. (more)