1. Clemson Experimental Forest
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Travel Time: ~18 min
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Length: Depends on Trail
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Description: There so many different trails to utilize right in our own backyard! You can find different ones online or buy a map at the Botanical Gardens (also a great place to take a walk).
2. Mt. Pinnacle, South Carolina
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Travel Time: ~ 43 min
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Length: 7.4 miles, 2.5 miles (one way) to Bald Rock
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Description: This hike begins in Table Rock State park, but here is the deal folks. I personally recommend only hiking approximately half way to Bald Rock (where there is a terrific view) and then hiking back down. The top of Mt. Pinnacle is just a sign in the woods, and it is quite an uphill trek.
3. Table Rock, South Carolina
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Travel Time: ~43 min
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Length: 6.5 miles
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Description: This trail will kick your butt. If it isn’t the stair master like workout on the way up, it will be the jolting of your knees on the way down. However, I believe that the view is totally worth it!
4. Rainbow Falls, South Carolina
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Travel Time: ~1 Hr., 3 min
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Length: 7.8 miles
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Description: A moderately hard hike that ends with a nice view of a waterfall. The spray from the falls is a refreshing way to finish the hike during the hot summer months (before hiking back down). I would recommend arriving early because parking is very limited in Jones Gap.
5. Yonah Mountain, Georgia
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Travel Time: ~1 Hr., 30 min
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Length: 4.4 miles
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Description: To reach the lookout point it is 2.2 miles of uphill, but the view is very rewarding! It is a great place to picnic and camp.
6. Black Balsam Knob, North Carolina
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Travel Time: ~ 1 Hr., 47 min
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Length: ~ 5 miles
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Description: This is one of my favorite places I have ever hiked! It is such a pretty area with low underbrush, so for the most part you have a 360-degree view for miles and miles. However, the area isn’t very clearly marked, so be careful you don’t accidently hop on the 30.1-mile long Art Loeb trail!
7. Craggy Pinnacle Trail, North Carolina
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Travel Time: ~ 2 Hr., 15 min
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Length: 1.5 miles
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Description: So, Craggy Gardens is a little bit over 2 hours away from Clemson. However, it is definitely on my bucket list! The best time to go is supposed to be late June and/or early July when all of the rhododendron blooms.