Trails
From easy park trails to ambitious steep climbs, from rivers edge to lakeside, on foot or horseback, the trails of this region offer something for every hiker.
Oconee’s river terrain features some of the most beautiful waterfalls in the nation! For hikes to some of the nearly 150 waterfalls in Oconee County, go to our Waterfalls page.
Palmetto Trail – Oconee Passage
The Oconee Passage is a moderate to difficult 3.2 mile trail along an old roadbed that pinches into a path along the mountain ridge line. Once the Palmetto Trail is complete, this trail will end in Walhalla, but for now you can start from either Oconee State Park (Mountain Rest) or Oconee Station (Walhalla). The Oconee Passage is steeply uphill from Oconee Station. Mountain bikes are allowed on the Oconee Passage.
Rocky Gap Horse Trails
19 miles of horse trails in the Sumter National Forest in South Carolina. Willis Knob Trail in Georgia combines to offer some of the most scenic horseback riding in the southern Blue Ridge Mountains. Winding across deeply dissected ridges, the trails descend into the beautiful Chattooga Wild & Scenic River corridor.
Stumphouse Passage of the Palmetto Trail
The Stumphouse Passage is accessible from the center of Stumphouse Park ($5 entry fee per vehicle). Stumphouse Passage is dual-use with a 1.5 mile hiking trail and 9.34 miles of mountain bike trails. This is one of three Passages of the Palmetto Trail that are located in Oconee County. The Palmetto Trail stretches over 500 miles across SC from the upstate to the coast near Charleston.
Winding Stairs Trail
A 75-ft waterfall tucked away along this accessible 3.5 mile trail makes this an interesting choice for a hike. If you start at the northern trailhead at the Cherry Hill Recreation Area, this meandering path is an easy hike, but the return trip is moderately difficult due to 1,100 foot elevation change. It is possible to be picked up by car at the southern end of the trail on Tamassee Road (FS 71). Alternatively, you can begin the hike at the southern end.
