With a name like Mountain View Road, you’d guess that this northern Greenville County backroad offers up incredible views of the nearby Blue Ridge Mountain peaks. And you’d be right; it certainly delivers on its promise.
Getting There
Mountain View Road — part of Highway 253 — connects Highway 290 (or Locust Hill Road) and Highway 414, moving northwest and ending right at the frontage of North Greenville University’s main campus in Tigerville.
If you begin on Locust Hill, turn onto Mountain View Road at the Sandy Flat Convenience Store, bearing to the left.
Along the Way
The earlier part of the drive, though less interesting, does pass a few small ponds. Also, the roads are curvier at this section of the drive, so make sure to pay attention to the unexpected turns.
About five minutes or so into the drive, you’ll start to come up on a handful of farms, to both your left and right. Cows, chickens, donkeys, goats, horses — you’ll see them all, as well as dilapidated and better-kept barns and sheds amidst open pasture.
After you pass Old Mush Creek Road, brace yourself. Somewhere between there and the small John T. Wood Bridge coming up, you’ll finally understand why this road has earned its name.
The mountain views ahead and to the left are breathtaking — especially on overcast days, when their blues get deeper than usual. You can see the mountains even better when trees in the foreground are less leafy.
You’ll continue driving and ascend a hill or two. Again, the mountain views are stunning along this short section, just before you pass Camp Creek Road on your right.
Eventually, you’ll come upon the four-way stop, where you’ll see the sign for North Greenville University to your left.
Though the approximately 10-minute drive along Mountain View Road doesn’t last for long, its mountain views make it worth a backroad drive.
Keep Driving
If you prefer to continue on your drive, then you can go straight through the light to continue onto North Tigerville Road, another winding drive past farms and residential areas. This backroad eventually hits Highway 11, another scenic drive in its own right.
By now, you’re well on your way to Poinsett Bridge. To get there, just continue on North Tigerville Road even once you’ve come to Highway 11. Take the first right onto Look Up Lodge Road and then the second left onto Callahan Mountain Road.
You’ll see a small parking lot to your left. Park and cross the street to root around what’s considered South Carolina’s oldest surviving bridge.
