Hiker's Peril Falls

Oconee County, South Carolina

Your visit at a glance

Waterfall height: Not recorded
Location: Oconee County, South Carolina
Access status: Official long-distance trail and picnic area parking documented
The walk: About 0.3 mile to the Sloan Bridge Falls side trail, then about a quarter mile more (NCWaterfalls figures)
Ground & access: Narrow in a couple of places but fairly easy official long-distance trail; footbridge at the falls.

NCWaterfalls: Sloan Bridge Falls and Hiker's Peril

Hiker's Peril, also called Hemlock Falls, is a 30- to 50-foot waterfall on a small unnamed creek that spills down the mountain beside the Foothills Trail in Sumter National Forest. From the south end of the Sloan Bridge picnic area parking lot, follow the Foothills Trail along the East Fork of the Chattooga River. Pass the steep side trails to Sloan Bridge Falls at about 0.3 mile and a 10-foot cascade on the East Fork, then continue about a quarter mile to a wooden footbridge. The falls are on the left at the bridge. Return the same way. In dry weather the falls can be a trickle, and rhododendron and fallen trees can block the view.

Plan your visit

Sloan Bridge picnic area on SC 107, Foothills Trail south along the East Fork Chattooga River to the footbridge at Hiker's Peril

NCWaterfalls gives 0.3 mile from the parking area to the side trail for Sloan Bridge Falls, then another quarter mile or so to the footbridge at Hiker's Peril. It gives less than 1.5 miles round trip for an outing to both waterfalls, including the side trip to Sloan Bridge Falls. The return is the same way.

Narrow in a couple of places but fairly easy official long-distance trail; footbridge at the falls.

Where to start

Sloan Bridge picnic area on the left of SC 107, about 0.2 mile north of the junction of Wigington Road (SC 413) and SC 107 near the North Carolina line. The trail begins at the south end of the parking lot.

Timing & water

No season limits are stated. Flow is low in dry weather.

Before you go

No fee is mentioned.

Visitor information

Visit sources

More waterfalls nearby

Within 40 straight-line miles. Road and trail distances will differ.

Explore South Carolina

Waterfall location

Oconee County, South Carolina.

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