Winding Stairs Trail

A 75-foot waterfall tucked away along this moderate, 3.5-mile trail helps make the Winding Stairs Trail one of the ﬁnest beginner trails in northwest South Carolina. If you start at the northern trailhead at the Cherry Hill Recreation Area, this meandering path is an easy hike because it drops 1,100 feet over its entire length. If you are looking for a more demanding hike, start at the southern trailhead on Tamassee Road (FS 710). Either way, this is a great hike for beginners.

Click here for a printable guide and vicinity map.

At a Glance

Restrictions:	Primitive camping is allowed, but campsites must be more than 50 feet from streams and trails, and more than .25 miles from roads.
Information Center:	Directions: To the northern trailhead: From Walhalla, drive west on Highway 28 for 7.5 miles and bear right onto SC 107. Drive 8.8 miles to Cherry Hill Recreation Area on the right. The trailhead is on the right (east) side of the high way, just south of the entrance to the recreation area. To the southern trailhead: From Walhalla, drive west on Highway 28 for 7.5 miles and right onto SC 107. Drive 5.8 miles and turn right onto Tamassee Road, also marked Cheohee Road (FS 710). Drive 2.5 miles to a small parking area and trailhead on the left, just before a bridge crossing Townes Creek.

Restrictions:

Primitive camping is allowed, but campsites must be more than 50 feet from streams and trails, and more than .25 miles from roads.

Information Center:

Directions:

To the northern trailhead: From Walhalla, drive west on Highway 28 for 7.5 miles and bear right onto SC 107. Drive 8.8 miles to Cherry Hill Recreation Area on the right. The trailhead is on the right (east) side of the high way, just south of the entrance to the recreation area.
To the southern trailhead: From Walhalla, drive west on Highway 28 for 7.5 miles and right onto SC 107. Drive 5.8 miles and turn right onto Tamassee Road, also marked Cheohee Road (FS 710). Drive 2.5 miles to a small parking area and trailhead on the left, just before a bridge crossing Townes Creek.

Activities

Day Hiking

Travel time 2 hours

Difficulty Level:	Easy

Winding Stairs Trail

At a Glance

Activities

Day Hiking

Quick Links

Recreation Areas

Recreation Activities

Related Links