Foothills Trail in Northwest South Carolina is celebrating its 35th birthday!

The Foothills Trail is a 76-mile woodland trail that starts off in Table Rock State Park, runs along the Blue Ridge Escarpment, and wraps up at Oconee State Park. The altitude ranges from about 1000 feet up to over 3,500 at Sassafras Mountain; South Carolina’s highest point.

The trail is a result of the efforts of the Foothills Trail Conference (FTC), which actively supports and promotes the hiking area. In the FTC’s “Guide to the Foothills Trail” they state “The Foothills Trail is truly a walk through history - geological and cultural.”

—  TABLE ROCK | MORE INFO  —

It’s known to be a very challenging and extraordinary hike. Many offshoots and parts of the trail are considered to be Appalachian greenbelt variety suited for the serious backcountry hiker.

Scenic rivers, lakes like Lake Jocassee, brooks, waterfalls, and even part of the famous Chattooga River run alongside the trail. Vehicles have limited access to the trail and the feeling is very remote. Up in the distant heights, there is plenty of wildlife. Many black bears, white-tail deer, bald eagles, wild turkeys, and all sorts of reptiles wander the wilderness as well.

The locale being so close to Greenville, Pickens, and Seneca makes it very easy to access, but is very lightly-used making hiking here a peaceful, natural experience. Many South Carolinians find it so much closer and accessible than the Appalachian.

View a map of the trail.

GreenvilleOnline.com reported these dates for the 2009 hikes:

Pre-registration and membership in the Foothills Trail Conference is required. Contact the Foothills Trail Conference at: info@foothillstrail.org or call: 864-467-9537.

A travel journal site about the Foothills Trail.

View more photos of the Upstate.

Learn more about other places to hike and camp in South Carolina.