If you’re looking for an unforgettable hike in South Carolina, then look no further than the Eastatoe Creek Heritage Preserve. Located in the Jocassee Gorges Wilderness Area of the upstate, this canyon trail is a fun day hike that’s sure to delight even the most novice of hikers.
Flickr/Kevin Oliver Jocassee Gorges was recently named by National Geographic as among “50 of the world’s last great places.” You could say it’s South Carolina’s own “grand canyon.” The mountains here have steep vertical drops creating an abundance of canyons.
YouTube/Jason Backpacks The Eastatoe Creek Heritage Preserve may be the hiking community’s best kept secret in South Carolina.
Flickr/Jason A G The 1.7 mile trail (one-way) takes you to Eastatoe Creek at the end of the trail. Along the way there are a few long range breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains.
YouTube/Jason Backpacks It’s a relatively level hiking terrain until you get to the last half mile. As shown here, it’s a pretty steep decline down into the canyon.
Flickr/Jason A G But the bottom of that canyon holds the key to the day’s payoff. Eastatoe Creek is known for its great rainbow trout fishing. The shallow creek travels about 500 feet down the mountain.
YouTube/waterfallrich And then it travels through a series of tight channels commonly known as “the Narrows.” The creek and the narrows are the cornerstone of this day hike.
Flickr/Jason A G Along the way you’ll find all sorts of wonderful plants, including three types of ferns that grow here only because the mists from the rapid water in the narrows creates the perfect environment for them.
YouTube/Jason Backpacks Near the end of the trail there’s a spot for primitive camping.
Flickr/IvyMike Pack all your belongings in and stay overnight if you want. But beware there are no facilities here.
Flickr/Jason A G South Carolina’s best kept hiking secret is this canyon hike in the upstate where you’ll have a great day trip trekking to “the narrows.“Check out this video of “the narrows” from YouTube user WaterfallRich. It’s amazing!
This trail in the Eastatoe Creek Heritage Preserve can be accessed from Sunset, South Carolina. Here are directions: US 178N, past Hwy 11, Left on Laurel Valley Lodge, Sunset, SC 29685. More information can be found here.
Flickr/Kevin Oliver
Jocassee Gorges was recently named by National Geographic as among “50 of the world’s last great places.” You could say it’s South Carolina’s own “grand canyon.” The mountains here have steep vertical drops creating an abundance of canyons.
YouTube/Jason Backpacks
The Eastatoe Creek Heritage Preserve may be the hiking community’s best kept secret in South Carolina.
Flickr/Jason A G
The 1.7 mile trail (one-way) takes you to Eastatoe Creek at the end of the trail. Along the way there are a few long range breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains.
It’s a relatively level hiking terrain until you get to the last half mile. As shown here, it’s a pretty steep decline down into the canyon.
But the bottom of that canyon holds the key to the day’s payoff. Eastatoe Creek is known for its great rainbow trout fishing. The shallow creek travels about 500 feet down the mountain.
YouTube/waterfallrich
And then it travels through a series of tight channels commonly known as “the Narrows.” The creek and the narrows are the cornerstone of this day hike.
Along the way you’ll find all sorts of wonderful plants, including three types of ferns that grow here only because the mists from the rapid water in the narrows creates the perfect environment for them.
Near the end of the trail there’s a spot for primitive camping.
Flickr/IvyMike
Pack all your belongings in and stay overnight if you want. But beware there are no facilities here.
South Carolina’s best kept hiking secret is this canyon hike in the upstate where you’ll have a great day trip trekking to “the narrows.“Check out this video of “the narrows” from YouTube user WaterfallRich. It’s amazing!
Have you hiked this trail before? We’d love to know and see your photos in our comments!
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