List of mountain passes in South Carolina facts for kids
A mountain pass, also called a gap, is a low point or a break in a mountain ridge or range. Think of it like a natural doorway through mountains! These passes are super important because they make it easier for people, animals, and even rivers to travel from one side of a mountain range to the other. Without them, crossing mountains would be much harder and take a lot longer.
In the U.S. state of South Carolina, you'll find many of these passes, especially in the western part of the state where the Blue Ridge Mountains and Saluda Mountains are located. These gaps have been used for centuries by travelers, traders, and explorers. Today, many roads and highways follow these natural pathways, making it easier to drive through the beautiful mountain landscapes of South Carolina.
This list shows some of the mountain passes and gaps you can find in South Carolina. Each one has a name, belongs to a specific mountain range, is located in a certain county, and has a unique elevation (how high it is above sea level).
| Name | Mountain range | County | Elevation | Primary access route | Other access route(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bailey Gap | Saluda Mountains | Greenville | 2,930 feet (890 m) | ||
| Beasley Gap | Blue Ridge Mountains | Pickens | 1,886 feet (575 m) | US Route 178 | |
| Callas Gap | Blue Ridge Mountains | Oconee | 1,949 feet (594 m) | SC Highway 28 | |
| Chimneytop Gap | Blue Ridge Mountains | Pickens | 2,408 feet (734 m) | F. Van Clayton Highway | |
| Cove Gap | Blue Ridge Mountains | Pickens | 1,322 feet (403 m) | ||
| Emory Gap | Blue Ridge Mountains | Pickens | 2,762 feet (842 m) | ||
| Grunting Spring Gap | Blue Ridge Mountains | Greenville | 2,956 feet (901 m) | ||
| Gum Gap | Blue Ridge Mountains | Greenville | 3,061 feet (933 m) | ||
| Hi Saw Gap | Blue Ridge Mountains | Oconee | 1,427 feet (435 m) | SC Highway 28 | |
| Hickory Gap | Blue Ridge Mountains | Oconee | 1,982 feet (604 m) | ||
| High Low Gap | Blue Ridge Mountains | Pickens | 1,522 feet (464 m) | ||
| Horse Gap | Blue Ridge Mountains | Pickens | 2,342 feet (714 m) | ||
| Horse Gap | Blue Ridge Mountains | Pickens | 1,460 feet (450 m) | ||
| Jones Gap | Blue Ridge Mountains | Greenville | 2,907 feet (886 m) | US Route 276 | |
| Laurel Fork Gap | Blue Ridge Mountains | Pickens | 2,087 feet (636 m) | Horse Pasture Road | |
| Lays Gap | Blue Ridge Mountains | Pickens | 1,463 feet (446 m) | ||
| Line Rock Gap | Blue Ridge Mountains | Oconee | 1,949 feet (594 m) | ||
| Lower Gap | Blue Ridge Mountains | Greenville | 1,883 feet (574 m) | ||
| Mongold Gap | Blue Ridge Mountains | Oconee | 1,863 feet (568 m) | ||
| Mosley Gap | Blue Ridge Mountains | Pickens | 1,201 feet (366 m) | US Route 178 | |
| Panther Gap | Saluda Mountains | Greenville | 2,385 feet (727 m) | ||
| Panther Gap | Blue Ridge Mountains | Pickens | 2,529 feet (771 m) | ||
| Reed Mountain Gap | Blue Ridge Mountains | Oconee | 2,142 feet (653 m) | ||
| Rocky Gap | Blue Ridge Mountains | Oconee | 1,860 feet (570 m) | ||
| Sassafras Gap | Blue Ridge Mountains | Greenville–Pickens | 2,864 feet (873 m) | ||
| Slicking Gap | Blue Ridge Mountains | Greenville | 2,871 feet (875 m) | ||
| The Narrow Passage | King Sand Hills | Chesterfield | 364 feet (111 m) | SC Highway 109 | |
| Trammel Gap | Saluda Mountains | Greenville | 2,198 feet (670 m) | ||
| Upper Gap | Blue Ridge Mountains | Greenville | 2,054 feet (626 m) | ||
| Vaughns Gap | Blue Ridge Mountains | Greenville | 2,592 feet (790 m) |
See also
- List of mountains in South Carolina
- Geography of South Carolina
