Stumphouse Mountain Bike Park

Stumphouse Park gets busy on weekends! It is home to the unfinished Stumphouse Tunnel that was dug using hand tools prior to the Civil War, as well as the well-known Issaqueena Falls, both of which I've previously written about here on the blog. There is also the Blue Ridge Railroad hiking trail, a moderate hike to two more abandoned rail tunnels. However, the highlight of the 440-acre park is the least-crowded – Stumphouse Mountain Bike Park.



The main entrance for the Mountain Bike Park is also the trailhead for the Stumphouse Mountain Passage of the Palmetto Trail. The nearly-continuous network of trails stretches from Oconee State Park in the Upstate Foothills, to its low-country terminus at Awendaw and Buck Hall on the Intracoastal Waterway. Established in 1994, it is South Carolina’s longest pedestrian & bicycle trail. Today 350 of the proposed 500 miles of trail have been completed, and the Stumphouse Passage is one of the newest!

From the trailhead, the Stumphouse Passage follows Cane Creek past the Walhalla Reservoir for 1.5 miles. In the future, the Ross Mountain Passage will connect it with Oconee State Park, but for now it provides access to an additional 10 miles of bike trails within the park. A few more trails are in the works, including a short spur trail (hikers only) that leads to a small waterfall on a tributary of Cane Creek.

The Passage/Mountain Bike Park was a collaboration between many parties: the City of Walhalla, Oconee County, Upstate Forever, Oconee Forever, Palmetto Conservation Foundation, Walhalla Partners for Progress, Oconee County Chamber of Commerce, Visit Oconee SC, the SC Dept. of Parks, Recreation & Tourism, the SC DNR, the U.S. Forest Service, REI, Upstate SORBA, Benchmark Trails, and the South Carolina National Heritage Corridor - WOW. While the city of Walhalla owns the 440-acre Heritage Preserve, Upstate Forever holds a permanent conservation easement on the property, allowing visitors to enjoy the trails for generations to come.

Clockwise: Yellow-tipped Coral Fungus, Cardinal Flower, Imperial Moth, snail

There is an entry fee of $5 per vehicle (but free for City of Walhalla Residents, and annual passes are available). For parking, follow signs for the Palmetto Trail trailhead, where you will also find picnic tables and restroom facilities. There is no water available once you’re on the trails, so pack in/pack out.

This mushroom had been knocked over, catching our eye because of its size!

On our most recent visit I hiked the Palmetto Trail with my youngest in a carrier, while the six year old rode his bike; there were some sections that he had to dismount and push his bike up, but not many. Meanwhile, the two older boys set off with their dad to explore the rest of the mountain bike trails. They gave rave reviews, and in terms of technical difficulty only the 0.68 mile one-way, black diamond trail was close to being too challenging - but as always, know your capabilities. 

Palmetto Conservation Project Manager Jim Majors made sure the trail route passed by this giant
when he was mapping out the trail

Things to do before hiking/biking Stumphouse Park:

• Call (864) 638-4343 option 4 to find out if the park is open or closed. The park is closed after significant rainfall in order to protect the trails.
• Review your bike etiquette. Mountain bikers must yield to hikers, and on descent yield to uphill traffic.
• Download a map (or print out a paper copy), available here.
• For additional information, email info@stumphousepark.com.

If you still haven’t gotten your fill after the three mile roundtrip hike, drive to nearby Yellow Branch Falls on the other side of Highway 28; Stumphouse Park is bordered by the Andrew Pickens Ranger District of Sumter National Forest. The moderate 3-mile hike leads to a beautiful 50-ft cascade. You can also head to Oconee State Park and Oconee Station, or just cruise Scenic Highway 11. One of our favorite areas in the state, whatever mode of transportation you might choose – bicycle or foot – you’ll find adventure at Stumphouse Park!