Make-A-Wish South Carolina is bringing hikers of every skill level to Table Rock State Park on Dec. 12 for its Trailblaze Challenge Trailfest, a fundraising hike with routes stretching from a casual two-mile family loop to a grueling 22-mile trek through the mountain's rugged backcountry. Every step is meant to raise money toward the $7,500 it costs to grant one wish for a South Carolina child battling a critical illness.
The event, detailed on the Trailfest registration page, offers routes ranging from 2 miles to 22 miles and is explicitly framed as a hike rather than a race, catering to all levels of experience. As WSPA 7News reports, Trailfest is an expansion of Make-A-Wish South Carolina's existing Trailblaze Challenge fundraising hike, offering its usual 22-plus-mile endurance hike alongside 12-mile and 2-mile options.
Three Routes, One Mountain
The marquee option is the 22-Mile Trailblaze Route, described on the Make-A-Wish South Carolina site as a full-day hiking challenge for participants ready to tackle Table Rock's rugged terrain and surrounding mountain trails. For those wanting a shorter but still scenic outing, there's a 12-mile peak-to-lake hike, billed as a moderate hike showcasing some of the area's most scenic views. Families looking for something gentler can opt for the 2-Mile Family Lake Loop.
Registration deadlines differ by route. The 22-mile and 12-mile hikes will remain open for registration until Nov. 1, 2026, or until those routes reach capacity, whichever comes first. For the 2-mile loop, the event page states registration will remain open until the event reaches capacity, while WSPA 7News has reported that registration for that same route stays open until the hike itself begins at noon on Dec. 12.
Funding Wishes At $7,500 Apiece
The event raises funds to grant wishes, according to the event page. Make-A-Wish South Carolina has said that a full wish costs $7,500, a figure cited in reporting from Live 5 News. The chapter has granted more than 4,500 wishes in just over 40 years of operation, per the same report.
How many children are currently waiting varies depending on the source. Make-A-Wish South Carolina's own site states that more than 300 wish kids across the state are waiting for life-changing wishes, while WSPA 7News has reported the number as nearly 300 medically qualified children. A separate Make-A-Wish fundraising page notes that the organization grants thousands of unique wishes nationally each year but currently reaches only about 50% of eligible kids — and the Live 5 News report adds that for every wish granted, three more children with critical illnesses still need financial support for theirs.
Momentum Building Since September
Organizers kicked off preparation months in advance, with the first group training hike for Trailfest beginning on Sept. 19, as noted on the event's fundraising page. As of the event page's latest reporting, $211,643.16 had been raised toward the cause.
Donors contributing through the Trailfest fundraising campaign are helping fund Make-A-Wish South Carolina's wish-granting work. For hikers eyeing Table Rock's peaks this December, that support is the point: every mile logged on the mountain helps push the chapter closer to its next wish granted.
