more stats
4.7 miles
Distance
557 ft
Climb
-570 ft
Descent
00:27:30
Avg time
-10 ft
Altitude change
225 ft
Altitude min
453 ft
Altitude max
265 ft
Altitude start
256 ft
Altitude end
-21.3%
Grade max
34.6%
Grade min
2 miles
Distance climb
2 miles
Distance down
3,100 ft
Distance flat
00:27:30
Avg time

Deep Step Details

  • Activities
    • Mountain Bike
    • Hike
    • Trail Running
  • Riding Area
    Forks Area Trail System (FATS)
    Clarks Hills, South Carolina
  • Difficulty Rating
  • Local Popularity
    60 in Mountain Biking [+]
    • 5 in Trail Running
    • 5 in Hiking
  • Global Ranking
    #9557 in Mountain Biking [+]
    • #48551 in Trail Running
    • #51880 in Hiking
  • Trail Type
    Singletrack
  • Bike Type
    AM, XC
  • Direction
    Both Directions
    Popular Direction Shown
  • Climb Difficulty
    Blue
  • Physical Rating
    Moderate
  • Trail Visibility
    Always easy to follow
  • Dogs Allowed
    Yes
  • eBike Allowed
  • Land Owner
    USDA

Many locals have a love-hate relationship with Deep Step. It offers more climbing than the other three southern loops, and many of the climbs are steep. The same whoop-de-doos that are so fun going down become momentum killers while climbing up

However, the blistering fast descents are more than enough of a reward for the climbs.

Deep Step gets its name from a popular fishing hole in the nearby Savannah River.

Trail Supporters

  • USFS
    Land Manager
Traditionally Indigenous Territory

Recent Activity on Trail

Past Week
  • 1 rides
  • 8 miles average
6 Months
  • 9 rides
  • 13 miles avg distance
All
  • 49 rides
  • Last: Jun 20, 2026
c1c2c3c4
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Deep Step Trail Reports

statusdatedescription
May 23, 2026 @ 7:41am (America/New_York)
May 23, 2026
I was on the trail today and can confirm the trail is fully open and has been for a while now! Trail is in good shape, but a few changes have...
Jan 6, 2026 @ 3:19pm (America/New_York)
Jan 6, 2026
Only half of the trail on the North side of Deep Step Rd is open
Nov 30, 2025 @ 9:03pm (America/New_York)
Nov 30, 2025
I took the trail clockwise and at .75 miles from the parking lot there are still multiple trees down blocking the trail. I was told if you go CC,...
Dec 1, 2024 @ 6:03pm
Dec 1, 2024
Trails are closed due to hurricane Helene.
Jul 5, 2024 @ 5:25pm
Jul 5, 2024
This is the 2nd Tree
more »
Status:
on May 23, 2026
Ideal
Avg: 4.53 (7 votes)
Your vote: 0

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Trail Conditions
  • Unknown
  • Snow Groomed
  • Snow Packed
  • Snow Covered
  • Snow Cover Partial
  • Freeze/thaw Cycle
  • Icy
  • Prevalent Mud
  • Wet
  • Variable
  • Ideal
  • Dry
  • Very Dry
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  • Downhill Primary
  • Both Directions
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Slope Aspect
Direction the slope faces
Flat N NE E SE S SW W NW
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        Directions to deep-step trailhead (33.605080, -82.097910)

        Photos

        4 more »
        126 |
        Sep 28, 2020 @ 2:00pm
        Sep 28, 2020
        64 |
        Nov 30, 2025 @ 6:07pm
        Nov 30, 2025
        47 |
        Jul 5, 2024 @ 5:26pm
        Jul 5, 2024
        46 |
        Jul 5, 2024 @ 5:25pm
        Jul 5, 2024

        Videos

        no videos have been added for Deep Step yet, add a video.

        Routes with this trail

        13 miles 1,330 ft 3
        The flow of this route takes you on the the and blue line trails. Stay to the right as you move along the...

        3 Reviews & Comments


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        Frequently Asked Questions About Deep Step

        Where is Deep Step located?
        Deep Step is located in Forks Area Trail System (FATS), Clarks Hills, South Carolina, United States. It is part of the Forks Area Trail System (FATS) trail network. The trailhead is located at coordinates 33.60508, -82.09791.
        How hard is Deep Step?
        Deep Step is rated as Blue difficulty. The physical rating is Moderate. The climb difficulty is rated Blue.
        What is the elevation gain for Deep Step?
        Deep Step has 557 ft of elevation gain. The trail has 570 ft of elevation descent. The elevation ranges from 225 ft to 453 ft.
        Is Deep Step a point to point trail?
        Deep Step is not a point to point trail. The direction is Both Directions. The trail type is singletrack.

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