Best scenic drives from Trails.com

1. Blue Ridge Mountains from Walhalla to Whitewater Falls

One of the keys to a quality scenic drive is being able to get out and really enjoy the scenery. The Blue Ridge Mountain trek from Walhalla to Whitewater Falls does just that.

This 75-mile drive travels through forests, across rivers and mountains and even a few gorges on the way to a spectacular falls. The multiple stopping points along the way offer day-trippers a chance to bask in beauty, find hidden falls or walk along streams and rivers.

Special attractions: Walhalla, St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, Stumphouse Tunnel Park, Issaqueena Falls, Chattooga National Wild and Scenic River, Foothills Trail, Bad Creek Reservoir, Whitewater Falls, Lake Jocassee, Jocassee Gorges, Wiggington Scenic Byway, Walhalla State Fish Hatchery, Oconee State Park.

3. Mountain Bridge Natural Area: Jones Gap to Keowee-Toxaway

At nearly 80 miles, this scenic drive goes through the Mountain Bridge Natural Area. Amazing views greet drivers and passengers at each turn, including mountain lakes and peaks.

Special attractions: Middle Saluda River, Caesars Head Overlook, Symmes Chapel at Pretty Place, Table Rock Mountain, Lakes Oolenoy and Pinnacle, Sassafras Mountain, Jocassee Gorges, Eastatoe Creek, Reedy Cove Falls, Lake Keowee.

11. Cherokee Foothills Scenic Highway: Lake Hartwell to Cowpens

From right around the South Carolina/Georgia border to Cowpens, north of Spartaburg, is one of the longer and most captivating drives in the Upstate. The route rolls past state parks, orchards and villages along the 110-mile Cherokee Scenic Highway (S.C. 11). The ride ends at Cowpens National Battlefield park.

Special attractions: Hartwell Lake, Oconee Station State Historic Site, Station Cove Falls, Lake Jocassee, Lake Keowee, Table Rock Mountain, Jones Gap, Campbell’s Covered Bridge, and Cowpens National Battlefield.

20. Oscar Wigginton Memorial Scenic Byway

Though only 14 miles long, the Oscar Wigginton Memorial Scenic Byway travels through woodlands of the Blue Ridge Mountains. This is in the northwest corner of South Carolina and sometimes is called the “gateway to the mountains.” The road rises more than 1,000 feet with several recreational opportunities along the way to make it a true day-trip.

Special attractions: excellent trout fishing, National Wild and Scenic Chattooga River, hunting, trout hatchery, Ellicott Rock Wilderness, scenic waterfalls, hiking trails, Oconee State Park.