About this English self-guided 3h:56m driving tour in Greenville
our Intro — Route 11: Blue Ridge to Lake Hartwell Scenic Drive
Welcome to your Cherokee Foothills Scenic Drive, a peaceful journey across the beautiful landscapes of Upstate South Carolina. Today, we’ll be taking the long way — the scenic way — along Route 11. It’s one of the most picturesque roads in the Southeast, winding from the Blue Ridge Mountains all the way to the shores of Lake Hartwell.
This drive takes about four hours without stops, so we recommend starting early, taking your time, and planning for breaks along the way. The focus of this tour is nature — mountains, forests, lakes, and a whole lot of fresh air. We’ll share interesting history, geography, and cultural stories as we go, but much of the time, we’ll keep things quiet so you can simply enjoy the scenery, the sound of the road, and the peaceful views out your window.
There will be a few planned highlights you won’t want to miss:
A short detour up the mountains to the incredible overlook at Caesars Head State Park, where the views stretch for miles across the Blue Ridge
A scenic loop through Table Rock State Park, with dramatic cliffs and shimmering mountain lakes
And plenty of wide-open stretches through some of the most beautiful and untouched landscapes in the region
We’ll pass historic towns, ancient Cherokee homelands, and rolling foothills that slowly give way to lake country. You’ll see why this route has earned a reputation as one of the best scenic drives in the nation.
Safety first — the road can get curvy in spots, and mountain driving can be full of surprises. Always follow the rules of the road, keep your eyes on the curves, and feel free to pause anywhere it’s safe to pull over.
So settle in, relax, and enjoy the quiet beauty of South Carolina’s natural side.
Adventure is ahead — let’s get rolling.
As we begin our journey and make our way out of Gaffney, take a glance to your right — that’s Frederick Memorial Gardens, a long-standing part of the community and a quiet reminder of the generations who have called this place home.
Gaffney is known across South Carolina — and even beyond — as the Peach Capital of the state. In fact, one of its most recognizable landmarks is the Peachoid, a giant peach-shaped water tower you may have seen during your visit or on the drive into town. It’s a fun symbol of this region’s rich farming history and its strong roots in peach agriculture.
But Gaffney’s story doesn’t end there. This area played a key role in the American Revolution and later became an important center for the textile industry that helped the Upstate grow and thrive.
Ahead of us is a beautiful journey into the foothills of the Blue Ridge — a scenic escape filled with natural wonders, winding roads, and a deep Cherokee heritage woven into the landscape. Sit back, enjoy the scenery, and let’s get rolling!
Place #2
Distance: 7.12mi
3706 Chesnee Hwy, Gaffney, SC 29341, USA
Cowpens National Battlefield
On your left behind the trees is Cowpens National Battlefield, the site of one of the most decisive victories in the American Revolution. In January of 1781, General Daniel Morgan and his Continental Army delivered a stunning defeat to British forces under the infamous Banastre Tarleton.
What made this battle remarkable was Morgan’s brilliant use of strategy — he arranged his troops in layers, drawing the British into a trap and overwhelming them with coordinated militia and cavalry attacks. It was fast, fierce, and incredibly effective.
The success here helped shift momentum in the Southern campaign and paved the way for the British surrender later that year at Yorktown. Pretty incredible to think that a quiet field right here in rural South Carolina helped change the course of American history.
If you’d like to dive deeper into the story, the battlefield museum and walking trails are worth a future visit — but for now, we’ll continue our drive west toward the foothills.
Tour itinerary stops | Additional places you'll see on this self-guided tour
Place 1Leaving Gaffney
Place 2Cowpens National Battlefield
Place 3Welcome to Chesnee
Place 4Fingerville, SC
Place 5Campobello, SC
Place 6Chestnut Ridge Heritage Preserve
Place 7Pleasant Ridge County Park & Falls
Place 8Cleveland, SC
Place 9Turning Right Toward Caesars Head Overlook
Place 10Caesars Head Overlook Parking
Place 11Welcome to Table Rock State Park
Place 12Table Rock Viewpoint
Place 13Pinnacle Lake
Place 14Exploring the Table Rock Region
Place 15Jocassee Gorges Wilderness Area & Eastatoee Valley Historical Marker
Place 16Keowee-Toxaway State Park
Place 17Crossing the Lake Keowee Bridge
Place 18Oscar Wigington Memorial Highway
Place 19Scenic Overlook Ahead
Place 20Highway 107: Ridge Road to Walhalla
Place 21Oconee State Park
Place 22Welcome to Walhalla
Place 23Final Stretch Toward Lake Hartwell on Route 11
Place 24I-85 Ahead & Farewell
This is a premium tour, click below for complete access!
How to take a UCPlaces tour
Taking a UCPlaces tour is fun and easy.
Download the app (Android or iOS), purchase the tour (either here on the website, or from within the app).
That's it, you're ready to go!
When you want to start the tour, find the tour in the app (via a quick in-app search or by clicking the tour link received in your confirmation email) and click "Start Tour" (headphones recommended for best experience.)
* After purchasing a tour you will receive a purchase confirmation email including the tour link and instructions on how to take the tour, so you don't have to remember anything now.
How does the tour work?
UCPlaces acts as your personal tour guide, providing self-guided audio tours fully navigated within our app using GPS-based navigation. You won't need to switch between external navigation apps.
Whenever you approach a point of interest (POI) on the tour, our app will automatically play the relevant audio story at the right time and place.
If you start the tour before reaching the first POI, the app will navigate you to the starting point and then begin the tour.
How is this more convenient than a traditional tour?
UCPlaces offers an innovative and flexible way to explore exciting destinations on your terms.
Here are some key advantages over traditional tours:
No need to commit upfront or purchase in advance; buy a tour only when you're ready to go.
Walk at your own pace.
No waiting for groups; go on your schedule.
Take the tour in your preferred language.
Start, stop and continue the tour whenever you want.
Returning to the same destination? Take the tour again, and again, and again... And bring a friend!
Enjoy preferred prices.
What's included?
A self-guided audio tour taken via the UCPlaces app [Android / iOS (iPhone) / Apple CarPlay].
Tour route map and in-app GPS navigation (via the UCPlaces app).
Audio stories for places visited during the tour.
Apple CarPlay connection (for iOS users); for a seamless driving tour experience.
What's NOT included?
Earphones (highly recommended).
Smartphone.
Any kind of transportation (including tickets and passes).