Name: Raven Cliff Falls Loop
Rating: 4.5

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Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · River/Creek · Views · Waterfall · Wildflowers · Wildlife

Overview

This hike offers a scenic view of Raven Cliff Falls. There are great places to enjoy water from the mountain river, as well. This loop combines the Raven Cliff Falls Trail #11, the Gum Gap/Foothills Trail, the Naturaland Trust Trail #14, and the Dismal Trail #12 for a great adventure!

Description

This is a great workout with a tremendous payoff. You start hiking on Raven Cliff Falls Trail #11 (easy) to Dismal Trail #12. Follow the Dismal Trail to its end, hiking down over 2,000 feet in elevation. Then take a right onto the Naturaland Trust Trail #14 (strenuous) crossing over Matthews Creek at the bottom then beginning your ascent of over 2,000 feet in elevation.

Along the way, there is a great break spot on a ledge (see photo) and the Cathedral formation (also see photo). This section is very steep. We crossed Matthews Creek above the falls on a suspension bridge then took a right on the Gum Gap/Foothills Trail all the way back to Raven Cliff Falls Trail #11 and eventually the parking lot.

This hike is outstanding; you should definitely experience it for yourself. Be prepared, as with either direction this is a hard hike with a well-earned payoff.

Flora & Fauna

Rhododendrons, mountain laurels, oaks, maples and poplars, Several species of birds,

Contacts

Local Club: Foothills Trail Conservancy

Land Manager: SC State Parks - Caesars Head

Shared By:

Gary Roberson with improvements by Glint Gossamer and 1 other

Full Details

Trail Ratings

4.5 from 31 votes

#1

in Caesars Head/Jones Gap State Parks

#378

Overall

4.5 from 31 votes

5 Star		71%
4 Star		10%
3 Star		16%
2 Star		3%
1 Star		0%

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37 Views Last Month

12,911 Since Jan 30, 2017

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Photos

Coming up Naturaland Trust Trail - Headed to the suspension bridge

Nov 7, 2020 near Slater-…, SC

The Cathedral's colossal cliffs are truly a sight to see.

Feb 15, 2017 near Slater-…, SC

Check out this cool rock-and-tree-root formation right beside Matthew's Creek.

Feb 17, 2017 near Slater-…, SC

Dec 25, 2018 near Slater-…, SC

Raven Cliff Falls cascades onto the rocks below.

Feb 15, 2017 near Slater-…, SC

An ice formation provides some wintertime beauty at the bottom of The Cathedral.

Feb 15, 2017 near Slater-…, SC

3 Comments

Weather

Current Trail Conditions

Unknown

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Check-Ins

Jul 26, 2022

Ben Lundy

Mostly Dry - rained during our hike 7.8mi — 4h 14m

Jan 7, 2022

Blakely Edge

Loved the hike definitely recommend

Nov 7, 2020

mike reade

Nov 1, 2020

Tony P

This would not have taken as long but we doubled back to see the overlook as the fog had finally cleared. Great trail - stay hydrated! 8.3mi — 5h 30m

Sep 13, 2020

Daniel daniel.ryan.paulsen@gmail.com

May 10, 2020

Dana Ochs

Mar 1, 2020

Lee Scott

8.5mi — 4h 00m

Feb 28, 2020

Bryon Jones

Dec 15, 2019

Taylor Y

Dec 8, 2019

Angie Boone

Need to check in at the start of the trail or office. — 11h 48m

Nov 29, 2019

Ryne Hughey

Had a good hike met Mark Rodgers and hiked with him. Made a friend and he was great to hike with 11.1mi — 3h 50m

Sep 21, 2019

Bill McCracken

Sep 7, 2019

Ryne Hughey

Sep 7, 2019

Daniel Palmer

Jul 30, 2019

Kevin Tomas

May 27, 2019

N K

9mi — 4h 00m

May 22, 2019

Mike Kymes II

8mi — 4h 30m

Mar 20, 2019

Mitchell No

Mar 16, 2019

Nandeesh Kadengodlu

Mar 16, 2019

SUMANTH R

great hike. all good. wear shoes with good grip. 7.8mi — 2h 32m

Nov 17, 2018

Joye Harmon

Jul 4, 2018

Summer Epps

4.4mi

Jun 15, 2018

Sandy Conner

7.1mi — 6h 55m

Jun 13, 2018

Becky Spearman

We did the entire loop and then went to the observation deck. We've done this trail a couple of times, and both times we saw snakes. Be careful.

Feb 23, 2018

Caitlin Smith

great loop. heavy fog in morning that cleared by noon. Descended Dismal trail, ascending Naturaland trust trail was less intense grade broken up wi… 7.8mi

Feb 22, 2018

John Zabelle

Very steep! 9mi

Jan 5, 2018

Matthew Nelson

7.8mi

Dec 25, 2017

Caesar Wong

Good to hike with nice n clear sky 7mi

Dec 3, 2017

Tony Bove

Nov 3, 2017

Kiwi Badger

Oct 26, 2017

Jessi Doyle

11.4mi

Aug 15, 2017

Elizabeth DeMars

It was very very hot... one of the best hikes of South Carolina because of the steep climb but would have much rather done it in fall or winter

Jul 23, 2017

D Blbs

Did this in the pouring rain for the first 40 min. Nice cool breezes after that made a great afternoon hike. It was wet, so slow and steady. 7.8mi — 3h 40m

Jul 15, 2017

Matthew Pascual

7.8mi

Jun 28, 2017

Ciara Sikes

9.7mi

May 14, 2017

April Seese

3.7mi

Apr 8, 2017

Shawon Gibbons

Great hike! Gets a little Goaty on Dismal, but the view of Raven Cliff Falls is worth it. Go down Dismal for a slightly easier hike. 9mi

Apr 8, 2017

Andrena Mendez

Dismal trail is a 1.5 mile 2kft ascent. Take lots of water breaks. 7.4mi

Oct 23, 2015

Kevin Heimbrook

11mi

Apr 18, 2014

Jean-Claude Linossi

Only hike to the falls and back. This is strenuous hike . 4.5mi — 3h 00m

Jan 23, 2010

Miranda Wenzel

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Raven Cliff Falls Loop

“This hike has everything from scenic waterfall views to extreme changes in elevation and a massive cliff wall. ”

7.8

12.5

Loop

3,094' 943 m

1,782' 543 m

1,681' 512 m

1,683' 513 m

8%

52%

Toolbox

Know This Trail?

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · River/Creek · Views · Waterfall · Wildflowers · Wildlife

Overview

Description

Flora & Fauna

Contacts

Shared By:

Trail Ratings

#1

#378

#1

#1

#378

Photos

3 Comments

Comment Type:

Weather

Current Trail Conditions

Check-Ins

Nearby Recommended Routes

DuPont Waterfall Bonanza

Falls Creek Falls

Bracken Preserve Loop

Art Loeb & North Slope Loop

Saluda Mountains Passage

Mills River Loop

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