7 Amazing Winter Hikes for Families Near Greenville, SC

Does your family members adore to go climbing? If you are hunting for climbing close to Greenville this winter season, you’ve appear to the ideal location! Here’s in which to go mountaineering about Greenville this winter and what to provide.

For even much more mountaineering recommendations see our Entire Guide to Mountaineering in Greenville.

Having your kiddos on a hike in wintertime may perhaps look like a mad feat, but if the unpredictable upstate weather conditions is in your favor it can be one of the best occasions to go. Cooler temperatures carry broader sights, a adjust of surroundings, less sweat, and less bugs. It tends to make climbing the more durable trails just a bit less difficult and also makes it possible for you to select hikes that offer you a check out, alternatively than a drinking water element, as a payoff – something you would not decide for in the summertime months. Get your digital camera completely ready and study on for a list of guidelines to enable you and your tiny troops make the most of your experience.

This short article features:
Winter Mountaineering: What you are going to see
Selecting a Wintertime Hike
What to Convey on a Winter Hike
What to Have on on a Winter season Hike
7 Perfect Winter Hikes Near Greenville, SC

For crucial strategies on recreating responsibly, be sure to see this story on the 7 Depart No Trace rules.

Wintertime Hikes: What to see

There could be an absence of lush greenery or fall colour splendor you see in other seasons, but that doesn’t imply that hiking in winter is drab. In simple fact, you can count on to see matters as you haven’t before. Less (or no) leaves on deciduous trees signifies that you can see through them for a watch typically concealed. Be expecting to wander by way of a forest which feels substantially extra open up, and expect a lot more lookout stops and panoramic mountain views, even from the valley trails. What you will not see numerous of? Bugs. And snakes (typically).

Verify out this stunning photo taken from a forest trail in wintertime. You can see straight through the trees. This look at is fully skipped in hotter months.

In which to go for a wintertime hike in Greenville, SC

Deciding on a hike is a pleasurable endeavor in wintertime. Given that you will not likely be participating in in the water, you can choose trails that need much more of a hike without the need of the water attraction. For case in point, Raven Cliff Falls. Or opt for a hike that is far more demanding than your normal picks. Prime of Table Rock, any one? Or maybe a dry mountaintop route generally shrouded in humidity.

With cooler temperatures, it will be a far more nice trek than at other times of year. Alternatively, you could want to revisit your beloved hikes and assess the adjustments. We enjoy a few of the identical trails 12 months-spherical at Paris Mountain and my young children have exciting pointing out the seasonal improvements as we go together our common route. “Look at all the chicken nests way up high in the empty trees!”

What to provide on a wintertime hike

It can be tempting to acquire significantly less h2o or provisions during a cooler hike, but this is not advised. Handle just about every hike with the warning and planning it deserves, taking far more than plenty of food stuff and water, and under no circumstances leaving behind your very first-assist or emergency provides. You may possibly under no circumstances use the amount of h2o you bring (I lately completed a day-hike with my young ones and even now experienced 4 liters of drinking water on my back again) but it is as they say: greater to be risk-free than sorry.

In addition to your regular provisions, be absolutely sure to pack chapstick, hand heaters, and an unexpected emergency blanket. A terrific winter season staple to entice the littles to hold pushing on? Pack in a thermos of warm cocoa and they’ll surprise you with their determination. Or serve up the White Witch’s Incredibly hot Vanilla (from Chronicles of Narnia) in the crisp forest air. Recipes for Scorching Vanilla can be identified online or in The Unofficial Narnia Cookbook (employs a little bit of cornstarch as a thickener and a dusting of nutmeg in its place of cinnamon – my children Adore this recipe). Reward: cook up some Turkish Delight and they’ll hike with you anyplace.

What to put on for a neat climate hike

Layers, layers, layers. Start out with close-fitting slim foundation levels (tanks or tees), layer with extended sleeves, then fleece, and eventually a light or heavy jacket relying on the climate. Levels can be taken off or piled again on as wanted in the course of the hike. And they will need to be get rid of at particular factors (uphill) and pulled on yet again (all through a snack split). Layering would make it a breeze. Never ignore hats, gloves, and wool socks for absolutely everyone.

And speaking of breezes, when planning your hike shell out shut focus to the wind chill or “feels like” temperature of your vacation spot. Prepare for a colder hike than forecasted. That wind can make all the variance amongst a attractive hike and a miserable munchkin troop.

We not too long ago went to the best of Black Balsam Knob where by the real temperatures were in the higher twenties and the winds were gusting more than 20mph. The hike was outstanding! We seasoned the thrill of clouds billowing by us and then lifting for blue skies, depositing a phenomenon termed hard rime all around the trail. But we have been FRIGID ourselves. My hair even experienced ice! Let us just say, that was just one of our prettiest and shortest hikes however.

A observe on unpredictability

The SC winter season weather conditions can change drastically from sunny and gentle, to chilly, to downright chilly (like our frosty hike). There have even been hikes this January where by my boys have been shirtless with their toes in the creek under a 78-degree sky! Look at the forecast for a delicate window.

Our most loved winter season hikes near Greenville

Raven Cliff Falls

This hike is great in winter season simply because you can see a total large amount further more and you simply cannot engage in in the falls anyway. The waterfall is a lengthy distance away from the ignore, you could want to carry binoculars.

Paris Mountain

See a acquainted path in a complete new mild. Review the improve in time. Enjoy seeing much as a result of the trees.

Jones Gap

Possibly delight in the quick trail along the Saluda or head up the challenging path to Rainbow Falls. It is much easier (however still a problem!) to climb the techniques in cooler weather conditions and nonetheless get pleasure from a lunch by the cascading falls. *Check the internet site for path closures as ice and cold temperatures may perhaps lead to seasonal closures.

Table Rock State Park

In winter season, head up a a lot more strenuous trail for an outstanding view. The hike to the leading of Table Rock is rough, but a lot more do-equipped with cooler temps and the correct provisions if you think your troops can take care of. There is no drinking water feature at the major, but the panoramic check out is a massive shell out-off. If the temps are down below freezing while, I would not propose likely to the top rated considering the fact that the steps to Governors Rock will be frozen over. As a substitute, hike the Carrick Creek loop.

Hikes on the Blue Ridge Parkway

The BRP is primarily closed throughout winter but you can essentially walk all those pieces that are closed, which is really enjoyment. Get a map and locate intersections of the Parkway the place you can park your motor vehicle and then just walk the street. Or head to Pisgah Forest in Brevard, NC (around the BRP) and hike to Moore Cove Falls or on the Coontree Loop Trail.

Blue Wall Protect

Blue Wall Preserve is a attractive, quick hike in close proximity to Landrum, SC. It even passes by a rather small waterfall. You are going to get a spectacular see of the Blue Ridge Escarpment as it rises up previously mentioned the ponds. Park in the great deal and not on the street. The 2.7 mile path is down and back again with the possibility of taking a loop to view the waterfall close to the bottom of the 2nd pond. This path is cost-free to use.

Waterfalls

Waterfalls in the winter are a whole other encounter than other moments of yr due to the fact you can just see so significantly extra all around them. I like waterfalls any time of calendar year truly but I like staying capable to see the falls from a bit further more away. Our major waterfall checklist can aid you make your mind up in which to go.

What’s your preferred winter hike?