Pinnacle Pass Trail

Pinnacle Pass Trail (#20) is a strenuous one-way hike in the Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area, laid out as an orange-blazed backcountry route that climbs about 1,200 ft while working up rocky ground and across numerous small streams. The tread also runs along the base of big granite cliff faces, and some creek-linked sections can be slick from wet rock.

For timing, expect roughly 4–6 hours one-way. The steepest climbing is mostly early, with the trail easing out after about 1.5 miles; from there it continues as hard, physically demanding backcountry travel rather than a simple ridge walk.

The route is built around multiple stream crossings, including sections where rocks sit in or near the watercourse. Expect tight footing in places and surfaces that vary from natural rock to intermittently streamside tread, so plan for slower travel in damp conditions.

On the eastern side, a common approach starts at Jones Gap State Park (Marietta, SC): from Hwy 276 turn onto River Falls Road, park at the visitor area, hike about 100 yards on the Jones Gap Trail (blue) to the Rim of the Gap Trail (yellow) junction, then follow the yellow blazes 0.4 miles to the Pinnacle Pass junction.

On the western side, a common approach starts from Caesars Head State Park (Cleveland, SC): hike about 0.5 mile back along US 276 to a brown pipe gate, then follow the Naturaland Trust Trail (pink) for about 0.9 miles to where it intersects Pinnacle Pass (orange).

Bring sturdy footwear and trekking poles; the trail’s combination of steep grades, wet/slippery rock in stream-adjacent areas, and steep drop-offs makes it more about sure-footed climbing than long, steady pacing.

More information: Booking, Booking, Mountain Bridge Wilderness - Rim of the Gap Loop