Hikes Map Explore
Raven Cliff Falls Suspension Bridge Caesars Head State Park, SC
miles
LENGTH 7.6 MILES
DIFFICULTY 9.8 Easy
Medium
DURATION 3-4 hours
ELEVATION GAIN
1500
feet
TRAIL TYPE
There And
Back Again
Raven Cliff Falls Suspension Bridge

Hikes to views of Raven Cliff Falls before heading around to the suspension bridge at the top and avoid the plunge into the Matthews Creek gorge on this moderately difficult trail. One of the most popular trail areas in Caesars Head State Park, this route makes an excellent middle of the road hike if the Raven Cliff Falls Trail alone is too easy and the Raven Cliff Falls Loop is too intimidating.

The trail begins on the other side of the highway from the parking lot. This hike follows the Raven Cliff Falls Trail (#11, Red), the Gum Gap Trail (#13, Blue), and the Naturaland Trust Trail (#14, Pink). Before you hike out to the suspension bridge, follow the Raven Cliff Falls Trail to the end to catch a long distance view of the falls from across the gorge. Along the way you'll pass two trail intersections that have posted maps and blazes.

Backtrack to the first intersection you passed to take the Gum Gap Trail. This wide, flat trail is the easiest section of the hike. Turn left on the Naturaland Trust Trail, dropping constantly in elevation from here to the suspension bridge. Just before the bridge, the trail follows closely along Matthews Creek with a few side trails to explore around smaller falls and cascades and take a break.

Arriving at the suspension bridge over Raven Cliff Falls you'll get another view to the opposite side of the gorge. From here the trail gets much more difficult which is why this route turns around at the bridge and hikes out the way you came in. Check out the full Raven Cliff Falls Loop for a similar length but much more difficult hike.

Read More

Raven Cliff Falls Suspension Bridge. Pay the fee and fill out the information card before heading out. The trailhead and all intersections have posted maps. Raven Cliff Falls Suspension Bridge. To begin this hike, cross the highway in-between the entrance and exit to the parking lot. Listen for cars as they can come around the corners fast. Raven Cliff Falls Suspension Bridge. Follow the red blazes of the Raven Cliff Falls Trail for the first section of this hike. Raven Cliff Falls Suspension Bridge. Hiking along the Raven Cliff Falls Trail. Raven Cliff Falls Suspension Bridge. Maps are posted at each intersection. Raven Cliff Falls Suspension Bridge. Pavilion and observation platform at the end of the Raven Cliff Falls Trail. Raven Cliff Falls Suspension Bridge. Long distance view of Raven Cliff Falls from the observation platform. Raven Cliff Falls Suspension Bridge. The Gum Gap Trail is the easiest section of this hike. Raven Cliff Falls Suspension Bridge. Heading down the Naturaland Trust Trail toward Matthews Creek and the suspension bridge. Raven Cliff Falls Suspension Bridge. Cascades along Matthews Creek above the falls. Several side trails lead to nice spots to take a break and enjoy the creek. Raven Cliff Falls Suspension Bridge. Suspension bridge over Raven Cliff Falls. The trail gets much more difficult after this point so this route turns around here. Raven Cliff Falls Suspension Bridge. View from the suspension bridge looking out over Raven Cliff Falls.
Elevation Map Length (miles) by Elevation (feet)
Slope Breakdown
Elevation Gain
Elevation Range
Grade Range
Length
Elevation Gain
0 - 250 ft/mi
~ 0 - 5 %
1.5 mi
149 ft
250 - 500 ft/mi
~ 5 - 10 %
1.3 mi
514 ft
500 - 750 ft/mi
~ 10 - 15 %
0.8 mi
499 ft
750 - 1000 ft/mi
~ 15 - 20 %
0.3 mi
268 ft
1000+ ft/mi
~ 20+ %
432 ft
117 ft
For out-and-back hikes, elevation loss is the same as the gain.
Terrain Map Click to control map
Navigation
0.0 mi
0.0 mi - Trailhead The trail begins on the opposite side of the highway between the entrance and exit of the parking lot.
1.4 mi
1.4 mi - Turn Left Hiking to the view of the falls first, turn left to continue following the red-blazed Raven Cliff Falls Trail. Right will take you along the blue-blazed Gum Gap Trail which will take you to the suspension bridge.
1.8 mi
1.8 mi - Turn Right Stay right to continue following the red-blazed Raven Cliff Falls Trail. Left will take you down the steep purple-blazed Dismal Trail.
1.9 mi
1.9 mi - Raven Cliff Falls View Observation platform and pavilion. From here you'll turn around and head back to the first intersection with the Gum Gap Trail.
2.4 mi
2.4 mi - Turn Left Back at the first intersection, take a left to hike down the blue-blazed Gum Gap Trail.
2.7 mi
2.7 mi - Turn Left Make a left to stay on the Gum Gap Trail. Blazes and a sign point the way.
3.7 mi
3.7 mi - Turn Left Turn left onto the pink-blazed Naturaland Trust Trail.
4.3 mi
4.3 mi - Raven Cliff Falls Suspension Bridge This hike ends at the suspension bridge over the falls. Just before reaching the bridge, several side trails lead to cascades and smaller waterfalls along the creek.
Details
length7.6 miles
difficulty9.8 Easy-Medium
duration3 - 4 hours
features Canyon/Gorge  Dog Friendly  River/Stream  Views  Waterfall 
trail typeThere And Back Again
blazeRed (Raven Cliff Falls #11), Blue (Gum Gap #13), Pink (Naturaland Trust #14)
elevation gain1500 ft.
state South Carolina 
park/forestCaesars Head State Park
visitor infoVisitor Center
8155 Geer Hwy
Cleveland, SC 29635
864-836-6115
hours9am - 9pm (daylight savings time), 9am - 6pm (rest of year)
Trails close 1hr before dark
parking fee$2/adult, $1.25/SC senior, kids 15 and below free
trailhead coordinates 35.11559, -82.638329 (Degree Decimal, DegDec)
N 35°6.94, W 82°38.3 (Degree Minutes, MinDec)
N 35°6'56'', N 35°6'56'' (Degree Minutes Seconds, DMS)
Trailhead Directions
35.11559, -82.638329 (Degree Decimal, DegDec)
N 35°6.94, W 82°38.3 most GPS units use this one
N 35°6'56'', N 35°6'56'' (Degree Minutes Seconds, DMS)
Google Map It
The trail begins on the opposite side of the highway between the entrance and exit of the parking lot. When crossing, listen for cars as they can come around the corners fast.
Parking Capacity
18 parking spots with overflow along the highway.
Notes
Better views in late fall/winter/early spring.
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Reviews / Comments
Average Review Rating
5 (1)
New Review New Comment
hikethesouth-4 years ago
Just Right
Exploring Raven Cliff Falls you can take a difficult trail, an easy trail, or this one, a great middle of the road trail that takes in the views and hikes around to the suspension bridge over the falls. I was doing the more difficult loop but most people I met were doing this route.
Easy-Medium | Hiked Summer 2019
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Disclaimer: Hiking can be dangerous. The information on this site is meant as a guide and represents trail conditions at a given time. Always let someone know where you are going. A basic knowledge of first aid, backcountry navigation, and some common sense are highly encouraged. The difficulty and duration ratings are subjective and will not be representative of everyone's experience.

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