The Foothills Trail is an ideal destination for hikers seeking solitude in the dense woods at the southern edge of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Far less heavily frequented than the Appalachian Trail, it is not uncommon to spend days walking on the Foothills Trail without encountering another soul.
The degree of difficulty on the Foothills Trail ranges from easy to strenuous, meaning that hikers of all skill levels will find something to suit them.
Geographic Features
Although the trail's end points - Oconee State Park and Table Rock State Park - are in South Carolina, the northernmost portions of this winding trek reach in North Carolina. The western part of the trail follows the Chattooga River, which acts as the border between South Carolina and Georgia.
Some of the highlights of the trail include:
- Two federally designated Wild and Scenic Rivers: the Chattooga River and Horsepasture River.
- Sassafras Mountain, the highest point in South Carolina.
- Numerous waterfalls, including Upper and Lower Whitewater Falls, two of the highest waterfalls in the eastern U.S.
- A number of suspension bridges, including a 225-foot span over the Toxaway River at the northern edge of Lake Jocassee.
Black Bears and Other Wildlife
The forests and streams along the Foothills Trail provide an ideal habitat for an array of wild animals. Most notably, the area is home to one of the most largest populations of black bears in the southeastern U.S. (For this reason, overnight campers are strongly urged to suspend food on tree limbs via a rope. Never keep food in your tent.)
Other notable critters found in this area include:
- Bald eagles, peregrine falcons, loons, wild turkeys and a variety of songbirds.
- A great diversity of salamanders, as well as snakes and other reptiles and amphibians.
- White-tailed deer, raccoons and gray squirrels.
- Rainbow, brown and brook trout.
Rare Plants and Fall Foilage
The undulating landscape along the Foothills Trail and the area's plentiful precipitation support a diverse collection of rare mosses, ferns and wildflowers. Muscadine grapes and wild berries also grow along sections of the trail.
The botanical star of this region is the Oconee Bell, a wildflower primarily found in the gorges surrounding Lake Jocassee. This plant blooms from mid-March to early April.
Tree species include a variety of pines and oaks, as well as hemlock, magnolia, birch, black gum, hickory and basswood. The blazing autumn colors are nothing short of stunning, making this one of the best times of the year to visit.
Camping Opportunities
There are a number of designated campsites on the Foothills Trail. Several rivers and streams provide sources of water. Remember, however, that this water should be filtered or purified before you drink it.
Whether hikers choose to spend a week backpacking the entire length of the Foothills Trail or an afternoon exploring a single section, the experience will leave them with a renewed appreciation for the natural world.
Find out more
The non-profit Foothills Trail Conference has published an invaluable guide to the Foothills Trail that includes a series of detailed maps.
Kirk Brown - Kirk Brown is award-winning freelance writer with two decades of diverse media experience. He has worked as a reporter and editor at daily ...
