There are some bridges to cross and lots of nature to see. The marked trail ends at Rainbow Falls, however hikers can continue upstream about 1/4 mile to Turtleback Falls. If you are looking for a much longer hike, the Palmetto trail connects about 14 miles of existing trails (with multiple-colored blazes) in the Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area of Jones Gap State Park and Caesars Head State Park. This trail starts from the Jones Gap Trail. Rainbow Falls Trail is a steep 4.3 mile hike located in Jones Gap State Park that features waterfall, forest, footbridges and bird watching, and is rated as difficult. This is a beautiful 2 bedroom, 2 1/2 bath 2 story cabin that offers great views and a light and airy feel with its design and furnishings. You may feel a sense of accomplishment as you realize how gentle the ascent is, but don’t get too comfortable. return - 3.6 mi, +57 ft. Bike ride in Greenville County, SC Here’s what you can expect from the trailhead up: Early on, the trail is graveled and the going easy. Rainbow Falls: This one is postcard material. The trail follows the Middle Saluda River, making for a beautiful hike along the way. The first and third will be wider-style foot bridges where the second is a narrow log bridge with a railing. From the parking lot follow the signs to the visitors center and then follow the signs to Jones Gap Trail. This trail feature three waterfalls and is accessible year-round. Between April and November, you can come and have fun seeing the waterfalls and enjoying the products of nature. This hike is very deserted, so much so that the forest takes on an eerie nature. Rainbow Falls NC: the hike. In the spring, azalea, meadow rue, and Solomon's plume envelope many of the boulders. Rainbow Falls, Jones Gap State Park. If this lot is full, there's an auxiliary parking area about a tenth-of-a-mile further down the road. Rainbow Falls & Rainbow Falls Trail. S.C. has 400+ hiking trails across the state, offering something for every type of hiker – whether you want to see cool waterfalls or you want to rack up some serious miles. To get to Rainbow falls you will initially follow the blue blazed Jones Gap Trail for … Sunset, SC (Free parking) Twin Falls is a set of beautiful cascading waterfalls which join together, with a mesmerizing height near 75 feet. Reaching Rainbow Falls is a very strenuous five-mile round-trip hike. Le Conte, but most day hikers turn around once they reach the falls. Getting to the Trail The trail is located in Jones Gap State Park. This popular trail is jointly maintained by Gorges State Park and the Pisgah Ranger District. Our state may not be the first thing you think of when you think of great hiking – but it definitely should. 3 Rainbow Falls Trail. You'll be climbing 1,000 feet over a … The trail quickly grows more challenging. View Trail Like most waterfalls in South Carolina, the falls are at … In the upstate, take Hwy 11 towards Table Rock State Park and make a right onto River Falls Rd., this will take you straight to the park. The main way to get to the falls is through Jones Gap State Park. Where to go hiking in South Carolina. Rainbow Falls Trail #4 is marked Red Blaze, rated as Very Strenuous by the Ranger Station, 1.5 miles one way with a recommended 2 hour out and back time. Twin Falls Trail. The Jones Gap State Park trails allow hikers to traverse between the two parks, as well as connect to a portion of the Foothills Trail and Palmetto Trail South Carolina hikers know and love. Plunging over a granite cliff surrounded by granite walls, Rainbow Falls is spectacular. I have reported on this trail previously. At the end of the trail there are two sections, and you'll have the cross the lower section by rocks to reach the trail that goes up to the upper section to reach the higher falls. Rainbow Falls is the big payoff, but there’s so much more along the way. To access the falls start by hiking from the ranger station down to Jones Gap Trail.After a nice but steep trail, climb on Rainbow Falls Trail until you'll reach Rainbow Falls. There is a price to pay for this lovely setting on Cox Camp Creek. Within the first part of the trail, there will be 3 bridges to cross. The trail actually starts with an unforgiving uphill climb. The new Rainbow Falls Trail in Greenville County opened in the spring of 2008 and immediately ranked as one of the most spectacular short hikes in the state. It’s very similar to nearby Rainbow Falls Trail, except this trail has no switchbacks to help you manage the elevation. The waterfall is enormous, and you can get a really good view from the overlook on the trail or you can take a smaller trail down to the bottom of the falls … It starts as an uphill climb and continues to be that way for a while. To access the falls start by running from the ranger station down to Jones Gap Trail.After a nice but steep trail, climb on Rainbow Falls Trail until you'll reach Rainbow Falls. Hiking is more strenuous than at Paris Mountain State Park. If you visit Rainbow Falls in the spring, you will not only be treated to seeing water falling 100 feet from steep walls, but the wild azaleas are in full bloom. You are less than 0.2 mile from the falls. At the end of the last field, the trail enters the woods. From the very beginning, you can hear the roar of the Horsepasture River in the valley far below, which you'll reach in about 1 mile. Get the forecast for today, tonight & tomorrow's weather for Rainbow Falls, SC. Getting Started. Just next to Gorges State Park in the Pisgah National Forest, is the impressive 150ft tall Rainbow Falls of North Carolina. Description. The trail ends at a beautiful and gorgeous, 100-foot waterfall plunging over a granite cliff face. 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