Enjoy some solitude and an impressive waterfall while hiking on the Hidden Falls trail in Oconee State Park. Nestled in northwest South Carolina, the Hidden Falls trail follows the 76-mile long Foothills Trail for half it's distance. At 4.8 miles and not too difficult, this is a great trail for most hikers.

Park at the western terminus of the Foothills Trail. There were only two other cars there on a sunny June weekend so don't worry too much about getting there early. Follow the paved path across the road to begin the hike. For the first mile, the trail is easy and well maintained as you follow along yellow, black, and white blazes. Even without the blazes, all intersections are well marked with signs. Be prepared for spider webs if you're the first on the trail and after heavy rain, there will be some muddy sections.

Hike for half mile before the trail crosses Station Mountain Road, a dirt road that also serves as part of the Palmetto Trail. Immediately afterward, the trail splits with the Tamassee Knob trail to the right and Hidden Falls to the left. From here the yellow blazes disappear for a while before returning with a black "HF" painted on top of the yellow.

At just past the halfway point, the trail connects with Old Horse Bone Road, a wide gravel road. Turn right down the road then shortly afterward, left off the road back into the woods. Again, everything is well marked with blazes and signs pointing the way. This is also where the hike begins to lose elevation, descending 400 feet over the next mile with the last half mile dropping at a steeper rate of 500 feet per mile. The trail also becomes a little less maintained from here, with several downed trees and low hanging branches but nothing too difficult to get around.

As you reach Hidden Falls, you'll hear 60 foot falls before you see it. A series of large cascades, Hidden Falls is quite powerful and impressive. From the base, without a pool or large creek or even a lot of people, you really feel surrounded by the dense foliage. It feels like you discovered a hidden waterfall in the middle of a jungle. After enjoying the tranquility of the waterfall, head back the way you came, which will be more difficult going out than in.