Foothills Trail (Upper Whitewater Falls to Sloan Bridge)

The Foothills Trail is a scenic, long-distance hiking trail that spans approximately 77 miles across the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in the Carolinas. It stretches between Oconee State Park in South Carolina and Table Rock State Park, also in South Carolina, though parts of the trail extend into North Carolina. The trail is well-marked and maintained by the Foothills Trail Conservancy, which provides resources such as maps and guides. The Foothills Trail varies from moderate to challenging, with steep climbs and descents in some areas, especially near Table Rock and Sassafras Mountain, which is South Carolina’s highest point. No permit is required for hiking the trail, but some campsites may require reservations or fees.

The main stem of this nearly 100 mile long hiking trail extends from Table Rock State Park in Pickens County, to Oconee State Park in Oconee County. The trail crosses some of the most rugged and beautiful terrain in the Southeast and provides access to Sassafrass Mountain, the highest peak in South Carolina, and to major mountain streams and breathtaking views. The section of trail from Upper Whitewater Falls to Sloan Bridge is a wooded area that ascends Grassy Knob and follows the Chattooga Ridge across the SC/NC line and descends to Sloan Bridge at SC 107.