Table Rock State Park to
Sassafras Mountain is an 8.8-mile (14.2 km) section of the trail that ascends over 2,300 feet (700 m). It passes near peak of Pinnacle Mountain and ends near the peak of Sassafras Mountain. There is a spur trail at Sassafras Mountain to Caesars Head State Park described below.
Sassafras Mountain to Chimneytop Gap is a 2.7-mile (4.3 km) section of the trail. It goes over the peak of Sassafras Mountain, descends about 1,000 feet (300 m), and ends at Chimneytop Gap.
Chimneytop Gap to Laurel Valley is a 2.1-mile (3.4 km) section of the trail that descends about 800 feet (200 m) and ends near
U.S. Highway 178. There is a spur trail to the Eastatoe Gorge Natural Area that is described below.
Laurel Valley to Laurel Fork Falls is an 8.1-mile (13.0 km) section of the trail that ascends about 800 feet (200 m), then descends about 1,200 feet (400 m), and ends at Lower Fork Falls. There are a number of bridges on the trail that cross Laurel Fork Creek. At Laurel Fork Falls, there is a boat access to
Lake Jocassee.
Laurel Fork Falls to Canebrake is a 5.8-mile (9.3 km) section of the trail that has steep ascents and descents. It crosses into North Carolina. There is a boat access to Lake Jocassee at Canebrake.
Canebrake to Bad Creek Access is a 16.4-mile (26.4 km) section of the trail that has steep ascents and descents. There are foot bridges crossing the
Toxaway River, the Thompson River, and Bearcat Creek. It crosses back into South Carolina. At the Bad Creek Access, there are two short spur trails to Lower Whitewater Falls Overlook and the Bad Creek Visitors Center.
Bad Creek Access to
Upper Whitewater Falls is a 2.3-mile (3.7 km) section of the trail. Much of it parallels the
Whitewater River. It crosses back into North Carolina. There is net ascent of about 800 feet (200 m).
Upper Whitewater Falls to Sloan Bridge is a 5.5-mile (8.9 km) section of the trail that crosses into North Carolina and back into South Carolina. It ends at
SC Highway 107.
Sloan Bridge to Fish Hatchery Road is a 3.3-mile (5.3 km) section of the trail that starts at SC Highway 107 and ends at Fish Hatchery Road. There is an alternate trail, which is described below, from Sloan Bridge to rejoin the Foothills Trail at the Chattooga Trail intersection.
Fish Hatchery Road to Burrell's Ford Road is a 3.9-mile (6.3 km) section of the trail descends into the
Chattooga River gorge. The last portion of this trail intersects the Chattooga Trail. It end at Burrell's Ford campground. There is a net descent of about 800 feet (200 m).
Burrell's Ford Road to Cheohee Road is a 10.4-mile (16.7 km) section of the trail that parallels the Chattooga River. It intersects the
Bartram Trail, which connects to the
Appalachian Trail. The trail ascends from the Chattooga River back to SC Highway 107.
Cheohee Road to Jumping Branch Trailhead is a short 1.4-mile (2.3 km) section of the trail that travels east of SC Highway 107 and bends back to this highway.
Jumping Branch Trailhead to
Oconee State Park is a 4.6-mile (7.4 km) section of the trail travels from SC Highway 107 to the trail's terminus at Oconee State Park.
Eastatoe Gorge Spur is a 2.3 miles (3.7 km) dead-end spur that goes into the Eastatoe Gorge Natural Area.
Fork Mountain Trail is a 12.2 miles (19.6 km) long, alternate route from Sloan Bridge that rejoins the Foothills Trail above Burrell's Ford. A section of the trail parallels the
Chattooga River in the
Ellicott Rock Wilderness. The trail passes by
Ellicott's Rock, which is on the Chattooga River.
Jocasse Gorges Passage of the
Palmetto Trail. At Table Rock State Park, there is a 12.5 miles (20.1 km) long section of the
Palmetto Trail and goes west into Jocassee Gorges.