Brissy Ridge Loop (Paris Mountain State Park) Hiking Guide
Brissy Ridge is the short, punchy loop at Paris Mountain State Park: two steep climbs, a ridgeline of oak and pine, and a creek lined with mountain laurel, all in roughly an hour or two. It starts at the Buckhorn Gate parking area and serves as the jumping-off point for longer routes to North Lake and the old fire tower. It is a good test piece for anyone working up to the bigger climbs at Table Rock and Jones Gap.
Permit: Admission at Paris Mountain is charged per person: adults $6, South Carolina seniors (65+) $3.75, children ages 6-15 $3.50, kids 5 and under free. The fee includes the swimming area when it is open; hiking needs no reservation or separate permit.
Three Measurements
Sources disagree on the length. The park's trail page lists Brissy Ridge as a 2.9-mile loop, about two hours, rated moderate to strenuous, while its brochure calls the Brissy Ridge Loop 2.5 miles, an hour and a half to two hours, and strenuous. AllTrails measures 2.4 miles with 511 feet of gain and puts it at an hour to ninety minutes. Whichever figure you trust, it's short, but the two climbs are steep, rocky and rooted.
The Route
From the kiosk by the parking area, the yellow blazes head straight up the first steep slope. At the top, branch right where the Sulphur Springs Trail forks off. The loop then runs through oak and pine on the ridges and mountain laurel along the creek, crosses the paved park road and climbs one more steep pitch back to the lot. The park calls it mostly easy to follow.
Making It Longer
The brochure's "High" Loop is 2.9 miles and rated moderate: right onto Brissy Ridge, left on the Kanuga Trail, left on the connector toward the fire tower, left onto the Fire Tower Trail, then straight onto Sulphur Springs back to the parking area. The Fire Tower Trail is an old roadbed that climbs about 400 feet with views of the surrounding mountains. For North Lake, walk about 0.9 mile on Brissy Ridge to the Pipsissewa Trail, which leads to the lake and its five trailside campsites.
Bikes and Trail Etiquette
The park's listing puts Brissy Ridge among the trails open to both hikers and mountain bikers, though its description calls the loop foot-traffic-only, so be ready to share either way. Bikes are allowed on park trails every day but Saturday, which makes Saturday the calmest day for walkers. The park also stays open Tuesday evenings in winter for night riding.
Fees, Hours and Dogs
Paris Mountain is open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and charges admission per person, with lower rates for South Carolina seniors and children. Dogs can hike here if they stay on a leash of up to six feet, but they are not allowed in or around the cabins or lodging areas. The park lists deer, squirrels, birds and snakes along this loop.
Hiking tips for Brissy Ridge Loop (Paris Mountain State Park)
- Do the loop in the park's described direction so you meet the Sulphur Springs fork at the top of the first hill.
- Add the Fire Tower Trail for views without much extra distance.
- Hike on Saturday if you want the trails without mountain bikes.
- Use poles on the steep, rooted climbs, especially when wet.
- Park at Buckhorn Gate; the loop starts at the kiosk there.
Nearby trails to explore
- Sulphur Springs Trail (Paris Mountain State Park)
- Jones Gap Trail to Jones Gap Falls
- Stool Mountain Trail
Hike this trail with TrailMates
Brissy Ridge fits an after-work hike from downtown Greenville. Use TrailMates to find people for a quick loop at Paris Mountain, decide on the long or short version in the event's group chat, and meet at the Buckhorn Gate kiosk. Download TrailMates on the App Store or Google Play.