Hiking Trail

Coldspring Branch (#3)  

(Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area)

TrailMap

Description: Starting from the Raven Cliff Falls parking area, this strenuous trail connects to the Bill Kimball, Jones Gap, and Coldspring Connector Trails to provide some interesting loops. You will begin by hiking uphill on an old logging road, which will level as you pass through a forest of mixed hardwoods, white pine, and thickets of rhododendren and mountain laurel. You will then descend to a flat area, and at .6 mile come to the junction with the western trailhead of the Bill Kimball Trail. Descending again, you will reach the Coldspring Connector Trail where you can hike to Caesars Head State Park by using the Coldspring Connector and Frank Coggins Trails, then return to the parking area via US 276 (total hike of approximately 3 miles). If you continue, you will follow, then cross Coldspring Branch six times without any bridges and the Middle Saluda River twice on logs. When you reach the eastern trailhead of the Bill Kimball Trail, you can form a loop by returning on the Bill Kimball Trail (Total hike of 4.6 miles). If you elect to continue to the end of the Coldspring Branch at the junction with the Jones Gap Trail. You will have the options of returning the way you came, turning right and hiking to Jones Gap State Park (2.1 miles), or turning left and returning via the Jones Gap and Tom Miller Trails (Total hike of 5.7 miles)

Length: 2.6 miles.

Fees: No fee.

Directions: From Greenville, drive northwest on US 276 to Caesar’s Head State Park, then continue 1 mile to the Raven Cliff Falls Trail parking area on the right. The trailhead for the Coldspring Branch Trail is at the south end of the parking area.

Hours: Dawn to dusk.

Camping: Trailside primitive camping is allowed on certain trails. Contact Caesars Head or Jones Gap State Parks for details. 

Information: Mountain Bridge Headquarters (Caesars Head State Park), 8155 Geer Highway, Cleveland, SC, 29635. Telephone: 864-836-6115 Office hours: 9 am to 5 pm.