Canebrake Trail

Canebrake Trail is a 5-mile one-way hiking route in Gorges State Park blazed with yellow squares. It follows an old forest service road; the tread is generally wide but can be quite rocky in spots.

This route is mapped for hiking only and is designated for mountain hiking (SAC scale: mountain_hiking). It’s rated moderate for long-distance walking, with enough grade and unevenness to earn the “moderate” label even though it’s not a technical scrambling trail.

Expect a straightforward out-and-back hike pattern to a junction point: Canebrake Trail is described as ending at the Foothills Trail junction, where it connects the Toxaway Creek and Toxaway River drainages into Lake Jocassee.

The trail corridor provides a couple of suspension bridges over Toxaway Creek and Toxaway River, so you won’t be wading across the streams to reach the Lake Jocassee area.

The Canebrake Trail route ends at the Foothills Trail area by Lake Jocassee; hiking it is commonly planned around reaching that intersection area and turning back, with the return effectively becoming the harder-feeling direction due to grade.

Ground surface is described as ground/grade4 tracktype and not set up for vehicles (motor vehicle: forestry). If you’re moving fast, plan for slower walking where the surface gets rougher and steeper-feeling during the return.

More information: Day Hiking The Canebrake Trail In Gorges State Park, Gorges: Trails | NC State Parks, First time backpacking trail suggestions : r/NCTrails