Foothills Trail

Foothills Trail is a long-distance foot route running between Oconee State Park and Table Rock State Park, spanning about 77 miles (122 km).

Expect a mix of terrain and sustained climbing and descending across South Carolina and North Carolina, with multiple steep sections rather than one gentle grade; it’s rated for expert-level hikers.

The trail passes through Sumter National Forest areas, with route highlights including Ellicott Rock Wilderness, Whitewater Falls, and Lake Jocassee access points.

The U.S. Forest Service built the Sumter National Forest portions beginning in 1968; the middle section was built as part of Duke Power Company’s Bad Creek pumped storage hydroelectric project. Maintenance is handled by the Foothills Trail Conference.

Section-wise, the trail includes an 8.8-mile climb from Table Rock State Park to Sassafras Mountain (over 2,300 feet of ascent), a 2.7-mile stretch from Sassafras Mountain to Chimneytop Gap, and a 2.1-mile descent from Chimneytop Gap to Laurel Valley.

Later segments continue through Laurel Fork Falls with bridges over Laurel Fork Creek, then on toward Canebrake, Bad Creek Access (with short spurs to Lower Whitewater Falls Overlook and Bad Creek Visitors Center), Upper Whitewater Falls, and onward to Burrell’s Ford campground via steep descent into the Chattooga River gorge.

Northbound, the route parallels the Chattooga River through the Burrell’s Ford Road to Cheohee Road segment, links with the Bartram Trail, then returns to SC Highway 107 via Cheohee Road to Jumping Branch Trailhead before finishing at Oconee State Park.

More information: Official website, Official website, Conditions