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Nature|Hiking

South Carolina’s Newest Mountain Hiking Destination Is Jaw-Droppingly Gorgeous And You’ll Want To Go

Pickens County offers a new hiking destination with diverse trails and the state's largest boulder field atop Big Rock Mountain.

Published Jul 2, 2018

Written by 

Robin Jarvis

Pickens County has a new destination hiking spot that features a trail system that caters to a wide variety of skill levels. It also features the biggest boulder field in the state, a boulder field that happens to be on top of a mountain appropriately named Big Rock Mountain.

If you haven't heard of the Nine Times Forest or the Nine Times Preserve, then you're not alone.

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Google Maps/Jamie Pace

Consisting of hundreds and hundreds of acres, the two entities currently feature at least three trails that interconnect throughout the preserve.

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Google Maps/Kien Pham

A combination of low-lying terrain and some elevation gains make the initial trails fall into the categories of easy and moderate hiking levels.

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Google Maps/Kimberly Poole

But the newest trails in the Nine Time Forest all focus on a mountain that's covered in boulder fields. Appropriately named, Big Rock Mountain is exactly that. And hiking up to the top of Big Rock Mountain is no easy feat.

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Google Maps/Jamie Pace

A series of approximately 40 pathways have been configured to get up and over the boulders.

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youtube/Keith's Folly

But unless you're fairly proficient at rock climbing and a sport known as bouldering, you'll probably want to stick to the other trails in the Nine Times Preserve and Forest.

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youtube/Keith's Folly

It's estimated that there are 800 boulders in the boulder field atop Big Rock Mountain. Have you heard of this new hot-spot for hikers and climbers?

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youtube/Keith's Folly

To see some amazing footage of Big Rock Mountain, watch the short video below from youtube user Keith's Folly:

The Nine Times Forest and Nine Times Preserve are located just off the Cherokee Foothills Scenic Highway near Sunset.

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Google Maps [enhanced]

Here's a link to the Google map. There is a new parking lot on Big Rock Lake Road for those wishing to climb/explore Big Rock Mountain. (Please be aware that most navigation on Big Rock Mountain will require technical climbing skills.) Information about the trailheads for the other trails in the Nine Times Preserve and Forest can be found at this link on the official website of the Nature Conservancy. There is no fee to hike or park, and the preserve is open during daylight hours.

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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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