Waterfall Trail

Chauga Narrows

(Oconee County)

Trail Map     Photo

 
Description: Fisherman and hikers will equally enjoy the easy, 20-minute path to the Chauga Narrows, because there is both turbulent whitewater and relaxing flat water waiting nearby. The Narrows itself drops about 25 feet during a 200-foot run down a chute seemingly carved from an action movie set. And while it’s merely another example of a Chauga River “waterfall” (read: Class VI rapid), the Narrows are a worthy destination.

Height: 25 feet over a run of approximately 200 feet

Length of hike: 0.6 mile

Time to hike: 20 minutes

Difficulty: Easy

Creek or river: Chauga River

USGS Quadrangle: Whetstone

Directions to the falls:

1. From Walhalla drive west on SC 28 for 6.6 miles and turn left onto Whetstone Road (Oconee County S-37-193). (Just before the Mountain Top Trading Post).

2. Drive 3.8 miles to Blackwell Bridge (this bridge crosses the Chauga River) and park beyond the bridge.

3. Hike 0.6 mile downstream to the falls on a faint path that parallels the river.

(Caution: At approximately 0.5 mile the river curves right and the dirt path becomes rock. The wet areas of these rocks can be very slippery.)  

Information: Sumter National Forest, Andrew Pickens Ranger District, 112 Andrew Pickens Circle, Mountain Rest, SC, 29664.  Telephone: 864-638-9568