To reach South Carolina’s third highest point, one would expect to do some serious climbing. Pinnacle Mountain Trail doesn’t disappoint.

You’ll hike 4.2 miles, trudging up 2,265 feet, to reach the peak at 3,425 feet. But there’s plenty to entertain you along the way, including several waterfalls, a giant rock ledge and an enormous sloping rock offering a spectacular view of Table Rock.

But let’s start at the beginning. The easiest access to the peak is from Table Rock State Park. You’ll begin this strenuous trek at the Nature Center, which sits at an elevation of about 1,160 feet.

At first, you’ll walk along the Table Rock National Recreation Trail on an asphalt path that runs beside Carrick Creek. By all means, stop and enjoy the view of Carrick Creek Falls from the new wooden overlook just off the trail.

Take a left at the Pinnacle Mountain Trail sign and follow the freshly painted yellow blazes, crossing several small foot bridges through a thick forest of hardwoods and rhododendron.

After awhile, you’ll come upon a small waterfall on the right side of the trail and pass beneath a huge rock ledge. If you don’t like walking along the edge of a steep mountain slope, you’ll need to duck to get under the outcropping.

Not far up ahead is a .4-mile spur trail that leads to a footbridge overlooking Mill Creek Falls. It’s worth the extra mile of walking to see the pretty 25-foot cascade.

At about the 2.5-mile mark of the Pinnacle Mountain Trail, you’ll come to Bald Knob Overlook. To me, it’s really the highlight of the hike. Getting there requires a steep ascent, but it’s nothing compared to what will come later.

The big sloping rock offers fantastic views of the famed Table Rock and the surrounding mountains to the south, east and west. On our hike, we stopped here to have lunch and enjoy the vista. Several other hikers had the same idea, but there’s plenty of room on the granite face to spread out.

Once you’ve rested and refreshed, it’s onward and upward. At the top of the outcrop turn right into the forest. The Foothills Trail will branch off to the left as you begin the toughest, steepest climb of the day.

The summit is completely cloaked in poplar, oaks and other hardwoods, which means you’re not going to get a view — at least not if there are leaves on the trees. This time of year, you can get a glimpse of the surrounding mountains, but the view still doesn’t compare to what you see from Bald Knob.

Your reward is the pleasure of knowing you’ve made it to the highest peak in South Carolina. That’s right, I said the highest peak. At 3,547 feet, Sassafras Mountain is the highest point in the state, but the peak of the mountain actually lies in North Carolina.

Once you’ve basked in the glory of your accomplishment, you can return the way you came or take the wooded and less strenuous Ridge Trail, which connects to the Table Rock Trail. If you’ve got the time and the energy, you can continue to the top of the dome or head back down the mountain to the Nature Center.

Before you set out, be sure to fill out a registration form at the trailhead kiosk. Drop the white copy in the locked box and keep the pink copy to put in the box when you return.

For more information and directions to Table Rock State Park, click here.