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An (almost) hidden gem: Northern Greenville County's Blue Wall Preserve

The Cherokee indians called the Blue Ridge Mountains the “Blue Wall.” Standing at The Nature Conservancy’s Blue Wall Preserve, looking 1,400 feet up the Southern Blue Ridge Escarpment to views of Hogback Mountain and surrounding peaks, one can see how the preserve earned its nickname. (Photo: James Richardson)

Nestled in the Blue Ridge Escarpment of the Southern Appalachians, the 575-acre Blue Wall Preserve serves as a gateway to about 22,000 acres of protected land.

The preserve, located in northeastern Greenville County near Landrum, is home to deer and black bear as well as more than 114 different bird species, earning it the designation of an Important Bird Area by the Audubon Society.

The Blue Wall Passage Trail – a 3.4-mile, family-friendly, mostly level, loop trail within the preserve – offers excellent views of Hogback Mountain and features two ponds and a waterfall.

From the parking area, walk down Pennell Road to the Palmetto Trail kiosk. (Part of the Blue Wall Passage Trail courses along the Palmetto Trail.) The trail will change from pavement to dirt and gravel along the way, once you cross the abandoned bridge.

At the first pond, looking up toward Vaughn's Gap, you'll see an almost 1400-foot rise in just over two miles. Combined with an average of 80-90 inches of rainfall a year, the abrupt change in elevation sets the stage for some of the most diverse plant life in the eastern United States.

The second pond provides an excellent spot for a picnic, and a short walk to a small pool at the base of the waterfall, Vaughn's Cascades, beckons you to get your feet wet.

The preserve is open during daylight hours. Camping, fires, cook-outs, bicycling, use of motorized vehicles, wildlife feeding, unleashed dogs and hunting are not allowed. There are no facilities, and all hikers must pack out their trash.

The Blue Wall Preserve was formed as a collaborative effort between Naturaland Trust, the South Carolina Nature Conservancy, the city of Landrum, Palmetto Trails, the Duke Energy Foundation, and the S.C. Dept. of Parks, Recreation and Tourism.