Big Bend Falls gets its name from the hairpin turn in the Chattooga River just above the falls. You'll find a 30 foot drop which includes a 15 foot block waterfall, the highest single drop on this Wild and Scenic River. Below the falls are small sandy beaches and large boulders to relax and picnic. The hike takes you through a forest of mountain laurel, white pines and hemlocks. Expect a two hour hike (one way) along this 3.4 mile trail.

GPS Waypoints Lat: 34.9533 Lon: -83.1193

DIRECTIONS:

1. From Walhalla, drive NORTHWEST on SC 28 for approximately 8 miles and bear RIGHT (north) onto SC 107.

2. Drive 10.4 miles and turn LEFT (west) onto Burrells Ford Road (FS 708, which is paved for first 0.3 mile).

3. Drive approximately 3 miles to the parking area on the left.

4. From the southern end of the parking area, hike on the Chattooga Trail (black blazes) and the Foothills Trail (white blazes), which run concurrently along this stretch of the river.

5. At 2.5 miles the Big Bend Trail intersects the other two from the east. Approximately, 0.5 mile beyond this intersection, you will hear the roar of the falls. Use one of the several rugged paths that drop along the laurel covered banks to access the falls. The banks are steep and slippery. Use extreme caution.