Wildcat Wayside: Wildcat Hollow Trail (Blog Hike #364)

Trail: Wildcat Nature Trail

Hike Location: Wildcat Wayside

Geographic Location: northwest of Travelers Rest, SC (35.07411, -82.59657)

Length: 0.7 miles

Difficulty: 2/10 (Easy)

Date Hiked: October 2011

Overview: A short creekside out-and-back with one steep set of steps.

Wayside Information: https://www.sctrails.net/trails/trail/wildcat-wayside
Hike Route Map: https://www.mappedometer.com/?maproute=723849
Photo Highlight:

Directions to the trailhead: Unmarked Wildcat Wayside is located on the north shoulder of US 276/SR 11 5 miles west of Cleveland.  If you reach the US 276-SR 11 split, you have gone 0.5 miles too far.  Park on the wide north shoulder of the road.

The hike: Good luck happening upon this hike on your own!  One of several wide spots in the north shoulder of US 276/SR 11 north of Greenville, tiny 63-acre Wildcat Wayside originated as exactly what its name suggests: a picnic area and short nature trail built by the South Carolina Department of Transportation for travelers along scenic US 276/SR 11.  In 1971, the area was transferred to the South Carolina State Parks system, but no additional facilities have been or probably ever will be built.

            I found this hike thanks to the South Carolina State Trails Directory, an attempt to catalog every trail in the state.  When I parked at the wayside late one Saturday morning, a boiled peanut vendor had set up a tent at the wayside and seemed to be doing rather good business.  The Wildcat Nature Trail is the only trail at the wayside, and it is an out-and-back of only 0.35 miles each way.  Thus, the wayside is certainly not a hiking destination in its own right, but it serves nicely as an add-on if you are headed to Table Rock State Park, Jones Gap State Park, or Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area among other fine hiking destinations in the area.

Steps at start of Wildcat Hollow Trail

            The trail starts by climbing a set of steep wooden steps built into the hillside.  Don’t be intimidated by these steps: this is the hardest part of the hike.  At the top of the steps, the trail turns right.  An old trailbed seems to go left at the intersection, but that trail is now closed.

            The trail climbs gradually and curves left to begin following scenic Wildcat Branch.  The trail crosses the branch twice on wooden bridges, both of which were shaky but structurally sound on my visit.  Just below the first bridge, Wildcat Branch drops over a small ledge-type waterfall.

Foundation of original picnic shelter

End of trail

            At 0.1 miles, the trail passes the stone foundation and chimney of the original Wildcat Wayside picnic shelter.  The trail continues to climb through the scenic, rhododendron-filled ravine until, at 0.35 miles, a white sign with brown letters abruptly announces, “Trail Ends Here.”  Indeed, just past this sign the trail gets lost into an area of large boulders that would take some rock climbing skills to navigate.  After reaching the boulders, turn around and retrace your steps 0.35 miles to the road shoulder to complete the hike.