SC-11 Cherokee Foothills Scenic Highway (Gaffney to Fair Play SC)
Starting at I-85, exit 92, take SC-11 north (away from Gaffney). Cowpens National Battlefield will be on your left just before you cross US-221-A.
The terrain around you is the rolling countryside of the Carolina Piedmont: prime ground for peach orchards (that's hard to miss in June!). Another couple miles (at US-221) you encounter Chesnee and the Clinchfield Railroad tracks, both steeped in history. As you drive the next 17 miles you will pass through Fingerville and New Prospect (crossing SC-9) and encounter a reemergence of the modern world: Interstate 26 (exit 5) and the usual accompaniment of convenience stores and gasoline stations (usually very low prices compared to what you have been passing).
Next is US-176 and Campobello. Before Interstate freeways, US-176 and the Southern Railroad were the main routes into the mountains and Asheville NC. The two roadbeds accompany each other so closely one would think they were married. (Up US-176 is Tryon, famous for horses; a little further is Saluda and, eventually Hendersonville, - all unique and enchanting.) After you pass Gowansville and SC-14 (about 4 more miles) you'll begin to see the true foothill country as it used to be.
The two major peaks on your right are Glassy Mtn (the peak to the right) and Old Indian Mtn (the peak to the left). You'll pass over the Middle Fork of the Tyger River and, on your left will be SC-101 which would take you to the Greenville-Spartanburg 'GSP' Jetport south of Greer - just off I-85. In the autumn, some folks rent a car at the Jetport and take this part of the drive before returning to the fast lane and 'more important things'.
Next our Cherokee Foothills Scenic Highway passes over US-25. Here a divided, 4-lane highway, US-25 snakes up those beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains you see off to your right. This can be one of the most beautuful drives in the country when the Autumn leaves are just right. (see also: US-25 - Travelers Rest SC to Hendersonville NC).
US-25 (south) will take you to Greenville - and I-85 if you want to quite here - but read on and see what you'd miss. Of course, if time were a challenge, you could start your drive at this point and continue westerly on SC-11, our Cherokee Foothills Scenic Highway. But, read on . . .
A couple more miles brings you to Pleasant Ridge County Park (that mountain peak off to your right is Osborn Mtn). Here you'll find cabins, campsites and a neat 5-acre lake.
Push on to Cleveland were you are joined by US-276 coming up from Travelers Rest and Greenville to the south. Got something to mail? There is a very handy Post Office here. Just a couple miles south of this intersection, on your left, is Wildcat Wayside State Park. It only has picnic tables and a attractive, easy half-mile walk to a nice waterfall but it makes a good rest stop.
Shortly after that sharp bend at Cleveland you will be at Jones Gap State Park. As is typical in South Carolina State Parks, this has all the amenities. Oh, yes, that peak off to your right is Glassy Mountain.
A little further is a major fork in the road. US-276 now splits off to right taking you to North Carolina and Brevard. Up there near the top is Caesars Head State Park. The view, alone, makes it worth the small detour.
Ah, back to the fork. Our Cherokee Foothills Scenic Highway (SC-11) is the left fork. A couple miles on, SC-8 takes off to the left; this is a good road to Pickens, Easley - or Liberty - and, eventually, I-85.
As you continue on our Cherokee Foothills Scenic Highway you will see the East Entrance to Table Rock State Park (yes, there is also a West Entrance). If you're a hiker this is the place for you! Of course, there is much more to enjoy in the park.
You've noticed that we are now on a roller coaster. The hills get higher but not bad. This is a two-lane road and not everyone observes those lines in the center so be aware.
The US-178 crossing is next. This also takes you (south) to Pickens and Easley - or Liberty - and I-95.
Next (on your right) will be the access highway to Keowee-Toxaway State Park.
Shortly after you pass SC-133 (a side road to your left) you'll pass the access road to Devils Fork State Park (access road on right).
The next intersection of note is SC-130 which can take you (turning right - north) to Whitewater Falls. This is a spectacular spot. If you can spare the time, do it!
Our Cherokee Foothills Scenic Highway is gradually bending south as you pass through Tamassee. The SC-183 intersection (if you turn right) will take you to Walhalla and SC-28 which climbs the mountains into Sumter National Forest and on into Georgia. You'll encounter SC-28 directly just after you pass through West Union. SC-28 is the access road to many parks, campgrounds, great hiking trails and waterfalls.
Some of the parks accessed from here are:
- Oconee Station State Park
- Oconee State Park
- High Falls (Oconee) County Park
- South Cove (Oconee) County Park
About 11 miles more (we are now heading south on our Cherokee Foothills Scenic Highway) you'll pass the intersection of US-123. If you turn right (west, it will take you to Westminster where US-76 splits off to the right and climbs the mountains into Sumter National Forest and, eventually, Georgia. If you turn left, US-76/123 takes you to Clemson (and the famous University of that name, and on through Easley and, eventually Greenville.
Continuing on our Cherokee Foothills Scenic Highway you' pass SC-24 and then, on the right, the last of the South Carolina State Parks on this drive: Lake Hartwell State Park. Lake Hartwell is fed by the Savannah River (which feeds the Lake Keowee impoundment) and the Tugaloo River (of white water fame).
The end . . . is at I-85 (exit #1). Of course you could head south into Georga - or - head north and see more of Carolina. Will it be Carolina? - we've got a lot more for you! And, thanks, for visiting. "Y'all come back, now."