Hiking Trail

Rim of the Gap (#6)

(Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area)

NOTE: The Rim of the Gap has been re-routed and is open again.

Description: You can start this very strenuous, yellow blazed, out and back trail from either Jones Gap State Park, or Caesars Head State Park. If you start from Jones Gap State Park, you will begin on the Jones Gap trail for approximately 100 yards, then turn left onto the Rim of the Gap and begin an extreme incline for the first 2.6-miles. If you start from Caesars Head State Park you will cross US 276 and hike on the Frank Coggins Trail for 0.8 mile. Once on the Rim of the Gap, you will experience minor ascents, but steep descents going into Jones Gap State Park . Allow yourself plenty of time to hike this trail, because you will encounter several sets of stairs, ladders, and some slippery rock and cable-aided water crossings. Hiking this trail in wet or icy conditions is not recommended. There are several huge rock formations, the most famous being Weight Watchers rock, a formation with an opening you can walk through if you are thin enough. Also, you will be treated to some striking views of Cleveland Cliff and Rainbow Falls. A lot of hikers start from Jones Gap State Park and hike the first 2.6-miles, camp, then hike down the next day. If you plan to camp, you are required to check in at the State Park Headquarters and receive a camping permit. Facilities are available at Jones Gap and Caesars Head State Parks.

Length: 4.3-miles. Total with 0.8 mile on the Frank Coggins Trail, and 0.2 on the Jones Gap Trail is 5.2 miles.

Directions: To Jones Gap State Park: From Greenville, drive northwest on US 276 to the junction with SC 11. Drive approximately 1.4 miles past the junction, turn right onto River Falls Road (Greenville County S-23-97), then continue to Jones Gap State Park. From the parking area, follow the Jones Gap Trail (blue blaze) for about one hundred yards and turn left (south) onto the Rim of the Gap Trail (yellow blaze).

To Caesars Head State Park: From Greenville, drive northwest on US 276 to Caesars Head State Park. From the parking area, walk straight across US 276 to the Frank Coggins Trail (purple blaze). Hike for .8-mile and turn left onto the Rim of the Gap Trail (yellow blaze).

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 Greer highway, Cleveland, SC, 29635, Telephone: 894-836-6115