Raven Cliff Falls 

Driving directions**: From the college, drive left on Broad Street to the intersection with Main Street in downtown Brevard. Turn left onto Hwy. 276 south. It'll be a winding road that leads to Greevilee, SC (if you head that far). From downtown Brevard, drive 14.5 miles on 276S. The parking lot for Raven Cliff Falls will be on the left. It is a nice large, paved lot. If you get to Caesar's Head you have gone too far (by about a mile). The hike is over 4 miles round trip and is about 2 1/2 hours (or more depending on hiking speed).
 
 

Hiking directions to Raven Cliff Falls: Begin the hike by parking and crossing highway 276 on foot. The trail is very well marked and there are signs along the way indicating where people often make wrong turns. By the way, you must register before hiking by filling out a form and depositing it in a box in the parking lot. There is no fee. The trail goes up and down moderately, is flat at times, and takes steep descents at other times. About 1/2 way there you take a big left turn- look for the huge sign. It is a nice, but fairly long hike, so don't get caught on the trail after dark (note: you are very much in the mountains on this trail and it'll get dark earlier because of the hills). You will also be at an altitude of over 3,00 feet. The trail will come out at a wooden observation deck where you can sit and read and rest and look at the spectacular falls across on the opposite hillside. You can't get close to the falls, but the falls are over 400 feet and are quite spectacular. Additionally, you will also have a great view of the Piedmont Plain below (called the Blue Ridge escarpment). After enjoying the view from the deck, simply return back the way you came. Don't forget the right turn about 1/2 the way back.

Info: Matthews Creek comes over the top of Raven Cliff and plunges four hundred feet to the valley that lies in South Carolina near Caesar’s Head Mountain. It is said to be the most breathtaking waterfall in South Carolina. The falls are a "combination of sheer drops, rushing torrents, lazy pools, sliding fans, and racing cascades".
 
 
 
 

While you are out in this area, you might also want to take in the view at Caesars Head. It is about 16 miles from Brevard, but is only about 1 or 2 miles farther south from the Raven Cliff Falls parking lot. Caesar's Head will be well marked, with a large parking lot on the right of Hwy. 276. There is also a gift shop, restroom, picnic tables and grills. It is a very short walk to the viewpoint and it is well marked Caesar's Head is a huge rock cliff, resembling a human profile. Elevation is 3,266 feet and you see over a hundred miles out to the plateau below, where the elevation quickly drops off. The mountains are said to have formed over 200 million years ago, and the peaks may have once reached 50,000 feet.

You also may want to stop at Conastee Falls on the way back to Brevard. It is about 5.7 miles from Brevard, so you'll see it on the left as you head back to town. Look for the "Falls" sign on 276, turn left and park and walk a short distance to Conastee Falls (pictured below). It is a 110-foot high falls, has a beauty rating by Kevin Adams of 7 on a 10 point scale. The walk is "as easy as it gets".

• *As always, when hiking you should always:
• Hike with someone
• Let others know where you are going and when you expect to return
• Wear appropriate footwear and clothing (carry rain gear)
• Carry water (and snacks)
• Have a map of the area (available downtown at the Forest Place or at Dolly’s ice cream shop (at the corner of 64, 276 and 280, near Wal-Mart)

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