Welcome

Whether you are looking for a long-distance backpacking trip or an exciting day-hike, the Foothills Trail offers an extraordinary opportunity to explore the Southern Appalachians. About 77 miles in length, the Foothills Trail is located along the Blue Ridge Escarpment in Upstate South Carolina and Western North Carolina. The trail is within easy driving distance of Greenville, Asheville, Charlotte, and Atlanta.

The landscape is diverse, ranging from high rocky outcrops with views to the distant horizon, to quiet forests in deep valleys carved by bold mountain streams. Elevations along the trail range from 1,120 feet at Table Rock State Park to 3,560 feet atop Sassafras Mountain.

Along the Foothills Trail you will discover:

Table Rock, a massive granitic dome, perhaps the most widely recognized natural feature in Upstate South Carolina.

The cliffs and ledges atop Pinnacle Mountain, where you may find rock carvings or petroglyphs believed to have been made by ancient Native Americans.

The Emory Gap Toll Road, an over-mountain road used by early settlers.

The Cantrell home site, the remains of an early settler's cabin.

Sassafras Mountain, South Carolina’s highest peak at 3,560 feet.

The Eastatoee Creek Heritage Preserve, a 375-acre preserve noted for its unique botanical specimens. Hikers on the trail at Eastatoee Creek Heritage Preserve are asked not to disturb any flagging that they may see in the preserve near the area called "The Narrows." A trail is being planned by the S.C. Department of Natural Resources that will offer a great view of this beautiful section of Eastatoee Creek. Work is expected to begin later this year, but may be delayed if the flagging is moved!

Abundant wildflowers such as jack-in-the-pulpit and the rare and beautiful Oconee Bell, found naturally only in the river gorges along the Foothills Trail. Populations of black bear, bobcat, bald eagle, peregrine falcon, turkey, and grouse, along with a great diversity of amphibians and reptiles.

The Toxaway, Horsepasture, and Thompson Rivers, cold mountain streams that are home to populations of rainbow and brown trout.

Hilliard Falls is a great place for a quick swim or cool down in a remote forest pool under a beautiful cascading waterfall.

The Whitewater River and Upper and Lower Whitewater Falls, which form two of the highest waterfalls in the eastern United States.

The Chattooga River designated by Congress in 1974 as a Wild and Scenic River.