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Nature|Hiking

The Remote Hike To Big Bend Falls In South Carolina Winds Through A National Forest To A Scenic River

Discover a remote, easy-rated yet challenging hike to Big Bend Falls in Sumter National Forest, featuring a stunning waterfall and lush forest scenery.

Published Nov 16, 2020

Written by 

Robin Jarvis

For a challenging hike that's also rated easy, head to the Sumter National Forest for a more than seven mile round trip journey to a mighty waterfall found deep in the forest. If you like trails that aren't laden with scores of other hikers, then choose this one. Although it's rated easy, the remoteness of the waterfall's location turns this routine trail into a test of stamina. But the powerful Big Bend Falls is so worth the journey if you're up for the hike.

Big Bend Falls is found on the Chattooga River, which is the boundary between South Carolina and Georgia.

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Google Maps/joebug fordmercury

The falls include a 15-foot drop on a thirty-degree slope and then an immediate 15-foot vertical drop into a plunge pool at the base. The view at the end of the trail is breathtaking!

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For this hike, we recommend downloading the AllTrails app onto your phone.

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alltrails/Kelvin Standard

At just under three miles, you'll stop following the blue blazes and begin to follow the white and green blazes to the falls. If you have the AllTrails app on your phone, then the decision of which way to go when you reach the intersection in the middle of the forest will be much easier.

The narrow trail is used year-round and winds through a lush forest canopy.

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Google Maps/kelly hollifield

In season, the wildflowers run rampant on the trail, making the trek even more beautiful.

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Google Maps/kelly hollifield

Most people complete the hike in three to five hours.

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alltrails/Tricia Proctor

The total elevation gain is only 734 feet spread out over the entire length of the trail.

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Once you reach the falls, there is a little rock beach at the base.

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Google Maps/Bobby B

It's not huge, but there is enough room for a picnic. Just remember to leave the area better than you found it so future generations will be able to enjoy it too.

Want to bring the pooch?

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Google Maps/kelly hollifield

You can! Dogs are totally allowed on this trail, as long as they are on a leash.

If you love exploring remote places, then a visit to Big Bend Falls is definitely in order.

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alltrails/Tricia Proctor

The trail to Big Bend Falls is found at the Cherry Hill Recreation Area near Walhalla, South Carolina. Park and then cross Highway 107 to the trail and walk a short distance down the service road. Download the AllTrails app onto your phone for a seamless hiking experience on this trail.

Have you already discovered Big Bend Falls? Tell us about your hike in the comments!

For more great hikes in the Palmetto State, read 7 Of The Greatest Mountain Hiking Trails In South Carolina For Beginners.

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Nature|Beaches, Lakes & Rivers

The Iconic Trail in South Carolina Everyone Should Hike Once in Their Lifetime

Explore the unique Sandhills Hiking Trails in South Carolina, where ancient sandy dunes, longleaf pine forests, and diverse wildlife create a distinctive outdoor adventure.

Published Oct 17, 2024

Written by 

Megan Todaro

One thing I really love about hiking trails is how wildly different one can be from another. You can have a twenty-miler that kicks your butt and shifts in elevation the likes of which rock climbers only see. But then you can also have (sometimes in the same park!) A two-mile jaunt that takes you through nature in a relaxed, morning stroll type of way. The good news for everyone hiking in South Carolina is we have both varieties of trails at our disposal. If you are leaning more toward the latter though, we recommend checking out Sandhills Hiking Trail in Sesquicentennial State Park.

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A serene park scene featuring a small waterfall, lush trees, and a calm lake under a clear blue sky.
Alltrails Adrian Zona

The Sandhills Hiking Trail in South Carolina is a popular trail that highlights the uniqueness of the Sandhills region. Located just outside of Columbia, the park is well-known for its scenic beauty, pine forests, and beautiful lake. The Sandhills Hiking Trail gives visitors an excellent opportunity to experience the distinctive ecosystems of the region while enjoying a peaceful outdoor escape.

A serene scene of a small waterfall cascading into a calm pond, surrounded by trees and greenery.
Alltrails Robert Stegall-Smith

In terms of trail overview, this hike is rated as easy-to-moderate, and suitable for hikers of all skill levels and ages. Clocking in at around two miles total, this loop trail will take hikers through towering pine trees, stunning shaded longleafs, and through the Sandhills terrain.

What’s more fascinating about the Sandhills region and what levels up this hike to iconic status is the fact that the terrain is the result of ancient beach dunes left behind when the Atlantic Ocean receded. In case you didn’t know, over 100 million years ago, much of inland South Carolina was covered by the ocean, which is why today, sediments, fossils, and other marine deposits typical of the area, can be found out in the wild!

A serene lakeside path lined with trees, featuring clear blue skies and calm water.
Alltrails Cindy Clark

Keep in mind, the park is open daily from 8 a.m. until sunset and there is a small admission fee for day-use visitors. This goes to a good cause though, as it helps maintain the park and keep conservation efforts coming! Also, dogs are welcome, but must be kept on leash.

Have you ever trekked the Sandhills Hiking Trail before? What were your favorite parts about the experience? Sound off in the comments section!

Also, make sure to sign up for an Alltrails Plus membership before you hike! That way you can get even more information before you start your journey.

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Nature|Hiking

Hike This Easy Trail in South Carolina for an Unforgettable Adventure

This easy trail in beautiful Cheraw State Park won't take all day and has some gorgeous views!

Published Oct 17, 2024

Written by 

Lisa Sammons

We love a good difficult hike that ends up being an all-day trek. If you ask us, there's no better way to get out and exercise - after all, there are plenty of great trails in South Carolina, and you're surrounded by natural beauty wherever you go! Still, we also recognize the need for family-friendly hikes, too. Maybe you're not in the best of shape, or you're out with young kids or use mobility aids like a wheelchair or walker. If you're in the mood for something a bit more relaxed but just as beautiful, we think you'll love the spot we're featuring today. The gorgeous Lake Juniper Boardwalk Trail in Cheraw's Cheraw State Park is one of our favorite kid-friendly hikes in the Palmetto State. The scenery is lovely, and it's quite the easy jaunt that just about anyone can enjoy.

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A wooden boardwalk curves along a calm lake, surrounded by trees under a partly cloudy sky.
Scott Densmore/AllTrails

Cheraw State Park shares its name with the city where it lies, and it's a wonderful place for an afternoon of fun. One of the biggest draws here is the championship golf course, but you'll find plenty of other amenities, like the magnificent 360-acre Lake Juniper.

A calm lake surrounded by trees, reflecting the sky and greenery, with a sandy shore in the foreground.
calder wilson/AllTrails

There's a lot to do at the lake. Canoes and kayaks are available for rent, and it's full of catfish and bass, which is perfect for those looking to try their luck at fishing. If you're looking to make a few days out of your getaway here, the lakefront cabins offer great views of the water.

One of the lake's best simple pleasures, though, is to enjoy a walk along the shore. The 1.2-mile Lake Juniper Boardwalk Trail is one of the park's easiest hikes. With very little elevation gain and an out-and-back time of just under 25 minutes, this is the type of exercise that just about anyone can enjoy.

A serene river flows through a wooded area, surrounded by trees and rocky banks under a clear blue sky.
Robert Timmons/AllTrails

The trail offers beautiful scenery. The five-foot-wide dirt and wooden path is appropriate for strollers or wheelchairs, and the gentle grade will not wear you out too much.

A serene lake surrounded by lush greenery under a clear blue sky, with calm water reflecting the landscape.
Tina S/AllTrails

Next time you're looking for a family-friendly outing in nature, this is definitely the hike to check out!

For more information about this great hike in Lake Cheraw State Park, check out our friends at AllTrails.

If you're a regular hiker in South Carolina, you don't want to miss a free trial of AllTrails+. You'll get to enjoy amazing benefits like downloadable maps and trail guides that will help you make the most of all your adventures, whether you're close to home or across the globe.

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