Every Step You Take: Why Hiking Is One of the Best Ways to Clear Your Head
Hiking has a funny way of quieting your mind. When every step requires your attention, there is not much room left to worry about everything else.
-
-
Are Rock Overhangs and Picnic Shelters Safe During a Thunderstorm?
A rock overhang or picnic shelter might seem like the perfect place to escape a thunderstorm while hiking, but neither provides true protection from lightning. Here’s what Upstate hikers should know before the next surprise storm rolls in.
-
Why Hiking Is One of the Best Things You Can Do for Your Health
Discover why hiking is one of the healthiest activities you can do. From improving heart health and reducing stress to building strength and boosting mental well-being, every trail offers benefits for both body and mind.
-
The Complete Guide to Hiking Etiquette: How to Be the Hiker Everyone Loves to Meet
Discover the unwritten rules that make every hike safer and more enjoyable. From yielding on the trail and respecting wildlife to Leave No Trace principles and common beginner mistakes, this complete hiking etiquette guide will help you protect South Carolina’s beautiful trails while becoming the kind of hiker everyone enjoys meeting.
-
Plants | Nature Guides | Hiking | Explore
The Sweetest Surprise Along Upstate Hiking Trails: Wild Blackberries
Every summer, Upstate hiking trails offer a delicious surprise. Wild blackberries ripen along trail edges, giving hikers a chance to enjoy one of nature’s sweetest rewards while exploring the outdoors. Here’s how to spot them, know when they’re ripe, and harvest responsibly.
-
How to Keep Gnats Away While Hiking: 15 Tips That Actually Work
Don’t let gnats ruin your next adventure. These 15 proven tips—from choosing the right bug spray to finding the best place to take a break—will help you spend less time swatting and more time enjoying the trail.
-
Clemson | Plants | Nature Guides | Hiking | Explore
Poison Ivy in Upstate South Carolina: How to Identify It, Avoid It, and What to Do If You Touch It
Poison ivy is one of the most common plants in Upstate South Carolina—and one of the most misunderstood. Learn how to identify it year-round, what to do if you accidentally touch it on the trail, and the simple steps that can help prevent an itchy rash.
-
What Beginners Usually Underestimate About Hiking Table Rock Mountain
Planning your first hike to Table Rock Mountain? Experienced hikers say most beginners underestimate the steep climb, intense heat, and how much water they’ll actually need. Before you hit the trail, learn what to bring, what to expect, and the mistakes that can turn one of South Carolina’s most rewarding hikes into a miserable experience.
-
Why Table Rock and the Blue Ridge Escarpment Receive More Snow Than Much of South Carolina
Discover why Table Rock Mountain, Pumpkintown, and the Oolenoy Valley often receive more snow than the rest of South Carolina. From the Blue Ridge Escarpment to local winter legends, learn how geography creates one of the state’s most fascinating weather patterns.
-
Beyond Table Rock: 25 Hikes Every Pickens County Explorer Should Know About
Think you’ve explored all the best hiking trails in Pickens County? Think again. Beyond the well-known paths at Table Rock and Pinnacle Mountain lies a world of hidden waterfalls, scenic overlooks, wildflower-filled forests, and remote wilderness adventures. From family-friendly walks to rugged backcountry treks, these 25 hikes showcase some of the most beautiful and overlooked places in the Upstate. Whether you’re a lifelong local or visiting for the first time, there’s a trail on this list waiting to become your new favorite.
