Few waterfall hikes in South Carolina carry as much history and legend as the trail to Issaqueena Falls. Named for a Cherokee woman who, according to local lore, leapt from the brink to escape pursuers (landing safely on a hidden ledge below), the falls are set within Stumphouse Tunnel Park — a site that combines 19th-century railroad history with one of the Upstate's most dramatic cascades.

Trail Overview

The walk to the falls begins at the Stumphouse Tunnel parking area on Tunnel Hill Road. A short path leads past the impressive entrance of the unfinished 1850s railroad tunnel (worth peering into) and then descends via a switchback trail through hardwood forest to the base of the falls. The route is short but steep in spots — hiking poles help on the return climb.

The Falls

Issaqueena Falls drops in two distinct tiers. The upper tier falls roughly 60 feet in a narrow plunge, and the lower tier fans out across a rock face before pooling in a small basin surrounded by rhododendron. In spring, the volume is impressive; in summer, the falls thin but the lush green grotto around them remains beautiful.

Tips for Your Visit

  • Best time: Spring for high water; weekday mornings avoid crowds
  • Parking fee: A small day-use fee applies at Stumphouse Tunnel Park
  • Stumphouse Tunnel: Walk the 1,617-foot tunnel for a cool mid-summer break — bring a flashlight
  • Slippery rocks: Use caution near the base; wear shoes with grip

Getting There

From Walhalla, take SC-28 north approximately 6 miles to Tunnel Hill Road on the right. Follow signs to Stumphouse Tunnel Park. GPS: 34.732°N, 83.088°W.