You never know what kind of weather to expect in March in the mountains. It could be spring or winter. We found winter in mid-March of 2023. We loved it even though we had been chasing 70 degrees for months as snowbirds. Maybe the mountains were calling. Or perhaps we had our fill of flat land hikes and needed some elevation gain. We got it! Our first stop was in Pickens, SC at Table Rock State Park. Next, we headed a little north to Brevard, NC. We found excellent scenic hiking in both destinations.
Table Rock State Park, SC
Table Rock State Park is a beautiful park conveniently located near Travelers Rest and Greenville, SC. The park sits at the edge of the Blue Ridge Mountains and is accessible via the Cherokee Foothills National Scenic Highway. The park is very scenic and its namesake mountain, Table Rock, is viewable from miles away.
Hiking
One of the best hikes in the park is to the top of Table Rock. Here you can enjoy the amazing views from the granite dome. We have completed that hike in the past and highly recommend it. This time, however, we had a very special hike in mind – our grandson’s first hike! Our son and daughter-in-law chose the Carrick Creek trail. The trail starts at the Nature Center and meanders along a well-marked path with several waterfalls along the way. There is a large multi-level observation deck at Carrick Creek Falls. We really enjoyed the views!
Mountain Laurel Campground
We spent three days camping at the Mountain Laurel Campground. Many of the spaces tend to be on the smaller side so if you have a large rig it may be harder to secure a spot on short notice. The sites are well-spaced but not that private without the leaves on the trees.
Methodical Coffee, Greenville, SC
If you love craft coffee, don’t miss Methodical Coffee of Greenville, SC. We enjoyed a delicious cup of espresso before exploring the downtown area of Greenville. It was a great way to spend a rainy day instead of hunkering down at camp.
Brevard, NC – Land of Waterfalls
We were sad to leave Table Rock State Park but also delighted at our next stop, Brevard, NC., Brevard is a scenic mountain town nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains of western NC. We call it the land of waterfalls for a reason – there are over twenty waterfalls in the surrounding area of the Pisgah National Forest. Hiking trails are everywhere and we had a hard time picking out which ones to do during our three-day stay. We managed to squeeze in four hikes and wish we could’ve stayed longer.
Hiking
The first hike we did was along the Davidson River to the North Slope trail. This trail connects to the campground as well as many other trails making it easily accessible to many parts of Brevard. The river is very clear and beautiful and connecting to the North Slope makes a nice loop.
Looking Glass Rock
Our next hike was to Looking Glass Rock to take in the views from the top. The hike is over six miles and is considered to be moderately difficult. The hardest parts are at the top where the trail becomes noticeably steeper with plenty of roots to march over. The payoff is the view at the top!
Moore Cove Falls
On our last day, we completed two waterfall hikes. We especially enjoyed these beautiful trails and can see why Brevard is a travel destination. Moore Cove Falls trail is an easy out-and-back hike to a gigantic waterfall that you can walk behind. What a magical experience!
Cove Creek Falls
Cove Creek Falls is a little off the beaten path but well worth the visit. The Cove Creek Camp area has many trails so it is easy to make a loop for this hike. Descending from the upper falls is very steep but manageable while the lower falls are easily accessible along the creek.
Looking Glass Falls
The most dramatic waterfall in the area is probably Looking Glass Falls. The observation area is just off US 276. The parking area is busy but it is worth the time to pull off and view this beautiful waterfall.
Davidson River Campground
We stayed at Davidson River Campground during our visit to Brevard. The location is perfect but the cell service is weak. No real problem for us because we were more interested in the hiking than staying connected. The campground is a very short drive into Brevard where you can find plenty of restaurants, gift shops, breweries, and coffee shops.
Cup & Saucer, Brevard, NC
If you are ever in Brevard, stop by the Cup & Saucer for coffee and a tasty breakfast. The baristas are very friendly and gave us great tips on hiking 🙂
More on the Blue Ridge: Fun in Floyd