Few things go together more than hiking and autumn in South Carolina. After a summer filled with sweltering heat. it's easy to find some natural hiking motivation from the cooler temps and the following hike is not only short and picturesque, it's also a loop! This means, if you're bursting with energy, you can double your pleasure on this hike with another trip around the loop. When you see how beautiful this trail is, you just may want to take it twice!

Lake Placid Loop at Paris Mountain State Park is a breathtaking hike that is slightly less than a mile circling this 110-acre mountain lake.

It's a perfect trail for a leisurely hike with young children. You can also bring the dog, if it's leashed, making this an ideal place for the entire family to get outside together and enjoy the beautiful natural surroundings in this park.

For such a short trail, Lake Placid Loop packs some pretty spectacular punches.

Year-round the scenery is breathtaking, and the rusty reds, burnt oranges and bright yellows of the fall season make it even more so. Most of the trail has views of the beautiful lake as well.

Eventually, the trail loops around to the lake's spillway.

The sounds of the water falling over the spillway can be heard for quite a distance before you'll arrive at the top of a set of stairs. Before you know it, you'll be at the base of the waterfall standing on a footbridge watching the falling water pass underneath your feet.

The Lake Placid Trail is best used outside of snowy periods, although the trail remains open for most of the year.

If you feel up for the challenge of another hike upon completion of this one, there are more trails in Paris Mountain State Park. You can simply follow the signs, or pick up a brochure in the stone visitors center when you enter the park.

How soon can you give this trail a whirl?

If you'd like to see when the optimal peak for fall foliage will be and then time your hike accordingly, then check out this year's predicted dates for the best fall foliage in South Carolina in this previous article.

Paris Mountain State Park is located a mere six miles outside of Greenville. The address is 2401 State Park Rd., Greenville, SC 29609. It is open year-round with the following hours: daily 8:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. during daylight saving time; winter hours: daily 8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. extended to 9:00 p.m. on Tuesdays. Admission to this state park is $5 adults; $3.25 SC seniors (age 65 & older); $3/ child age 6-15; the park admission is free for children 5 and younger. Three annual passes are available from SC State Parks. Prices range from $50 - $99. Learn more on the official website of South Carolina State Parks.

Can't get enough of this year's brilliant fall foliage views? Here's a fall foliage road trip we put together, complete with fun places to stop along the way!