Hike the Asbury Trail to Moonshine Falls

150 Asbury Drive, South Carolina

Save

View all 30 photos

All 30 photos

Save Review Directions Add Photo

Details

Distance

5.5 miles

Elevation Gain

800 ft

Route Type

Out-and-Back

Description

Added by Mary Moss

This is an excellent trail with tons of wildlife and a wide array of wildflowers along the way. There are numerous stream crossings, the best being the cable crossing over Matthews Creek. After Matthews Creek you will eventually come to Moonshine Falls and cave. There is also a 40 foot waterfall!

The trail to the Matthews Creek cable bridge crossing is easy. The cable crossing is fine - fun for some and a do-able challenge for others.

After the creek, to get to Moonshine Falls, turn RIGHT at the post which indicates a trail both left and right. This is the Naturaland Trail in Caesars Head SP blazed pink. Eventually you come across a cairn of stones, turn right here to get to Moonshine Falls.

Note this is NOT a loop trail. just before the falls you will see long branches blocking the trail and beyond there it is not maintained. You will need to come back and cross the cable bridge again to re-trace your steps.

if you take a left at the Trail/Trail sign, after Matthews Creek, there is another pretty falls after about 0.8m.

Download the Outbound mobile app

Find adventures and camping on the go, share photos, use GPX tracks, and download maps for offline use.

Get the app

Features

Hiking

Bathrooms

Easy Parking

Family Friendly

Forest

Groups

Waterfall

Hike the Asbury Trail to Moonshine Falls Reviews

Have you done this adventure? Be the first to leave a review!

Leave No Trace

Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

Nearby

Wildcat Wayside Nature Trail

Caesars Head Overlook

The Drive: Head North on SC Highway 11 "Cherokee Foothills Scenic Highway" towards Table Rock State Park. Follow SC 11 past Table Rock approximately 8 miles where it will merge with SC 8 at Pumpkin Town. Follow SC 8 for another 3-4 miles until you see the intersection for SC Highway 276 on the left. A large brown sign will direct you towards the left, and you will follow 276 up the mountain ano...

Raven Cliff Falls

Location: From the intersection of US276 & SC11, head Northwest on US276. Drive to the top of the mountain, 1 mile past the visitor's center, and The Raven Cliff Falls Parking Area and trail head will be on your right. After parking in the Raven Cliff Falls Parking Area, the trailhead is located right across the street. You will see a brown sign that reads "The Foothills Trail - Caesars ...

Hike to Jones Gap Falls

For Caesar's Head State Park access, head North from Pickens on HWY 178 until it intersects with HWY 11. Turn right onto HWY 11 North and continue for 10 miles until the 276 intersection where you veer off to the left. Follow 276 to the top of the mountain. 1 miles past the Caesars Head Visitors center park in the horseshoe on the right side of the road. The Tom Miller Trail trailhead is on the...

Backpack the Foothills Trail through the Southeastern Appalachian Mountains

Starting at Table Rock State Park (South Carolina) and working your 76.2 miles way towards Oconee State Park (South Carolina) is the most popular route, with a few spur trails that lead to places like Raven Cliff Falls in Cesar's Head State Park. The trail gains ~11,036 feet in elevation with another ~10,000 descending along this route. This trail, depending on pack weight, can be through hike...

Summit Sassafras Mountain

Pinnacle Trail begins by the Nature Center in Table Rock State Park. Keep left at the first three splits in the trail. You will make some creek crossings, gain elevation through the forest, and pass by Mills Creek Falls (25 ft). At Bald Rock Overlook, you can catch some nice views of Table Rock Mountain. When you reach the junction with Foothills Trail, turn left to follow the white blazes. Thi...