Hikes you can do on a day-trip

Hiking DAY TRIPS

By Shelbie Goulding

Crowders Mountain State Park

5.8 mi. 4.2 mi. 2.5 HOURS

Travel a two-and-a-half-hour drive north of the South Carolina border and get a view of Charlotte from Gaston County, North Carolina, on Crowders Mountain.

Trek along Crowders Trail to Rocktop Trail Loop, a 5.8-mile climb to the top of Crowders Mountain for a view of the North Carolina landscape and a distant outlook of Queen City and the East.

For a tougher hike, climb the park’s Pinnacle Trail, a 4.2 out and back trail featuring a view of the state’s west side.

Table Rock State Park

6.8 mi.

8mi.

3.25 HOURS

The park is a three-hour, 15-minute drive to Pickens, South Carolina.

For a moderate, at times strenuous hike, climb Table Rock Trail, a 6.8-mile trail with rewarding views of both a lake and mountain landscape.

For a tougher, more challenging hike, climb to the summit of Pinnacle Mountain Trail, an 8-mile out and back trail featuring views and waterfalls.

Poinsett State Park

14.8 mi. 30 MINUTES

Stay close to home and travel to Pinewood, South Carolina, for family-friendly hikes or mountain biking at Sumter County’s own state park.

Although most trails are easy, take on the moderate Poinsett Loop trail to get the entire park experience in 14.8 miles.

Shelbie Goulding

Over-the-top hiking enthusiast at The Sumter Item

2mi. 1 HOUR

An hour west of Sumter is Hopkins, South Carolina’s national treasure with a ton of easy family-friendly trails at one of the country’s famous national parks.

Although there are many trails to explore, the 2-mile Boardwalk Loop Trail is the most popular, featuring South Carolina’s native species in a swamp-like environment.

Caesars Head State Park

4mi. 9 mi.

3.50 HOURS

Travel a three-and-a-half-hour drive to Cleveland, South Carolina, to hike the surrounding of Raven Cliff Falls, a nearly 400-foot drop waterfall surrounded by abundant vegetation.

For a moderate hike, trek a 4-mile out and back trail along Raven Cliff Falls Trail to see the waterfall.

For a more difficult hike, travel down the Raven Cliff Falls and Dismal Trail Loop, a nearly 9-mile loop with more than 2,000 feet of elevation gain featuring a suspension bridge over the waterfall and the falls floor.

Edisto Beach State Park

1.8 mi. 2 HOURS

Take a two-hour drive south to get a hiking and beach day experience at Edisto Beach State Park for many easy, flat trails for hikers and bikers alike.

A popular site to see includes a 1.8-mile trail along the Botany Bay Beach Walk.