Winter Hikes
Winter Hikes

The cold, dark winter months are upon you and you're fighting the urge to stay snuggled under the covers of your warm bed. I feel you, but the dog needs out. Hiking in winter is great, despite all logic to the contrary. No bugs, people, spiders, people, snakes, or people. Seriously, if you love some of the views or waterfalls in the south but hate when they're crowded, winter is the perfect time to hit the trail. Regarding the cold, you can only take so many clothes off, but you can always add another layer. Throw some coffee in a thermos and get out there.

Tray Mountain via Unicoi Gap Tray Mountain via Unicoi Gap
Tray Mountain via Unicoi Gap
Length10 mi Difficulty23.9 Georgia
Conquer two mountains along the Appalachian Trail in north Georgia for an epic day hike and get even better views in the winter!
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Turtletown Creek Falls Loop Turtletown Creek Falls Loop
Turtletown Creek Falls Loop
Length3.8 mi Difficulty5.6 Tennessee
Explore two waterfalls along a scenic creek on the Turtletown Creek Falls trail. In the cooler months, half this hike has views of the creek with plenty of rapids and smaller waterfalls.
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Keown Falls And Johns Mountain Double Loop Keown Falls And Johns Mountain Double Loop
Keown Falls & Johns Mountain Double Loop
Length5 mi Difficulty7.8 Georgia
Winter usually bring better water flow over this trickle of a waterfall and the already good views open up even more on this scenic double loop.
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Siler Bald via Wayah Gap Siler Bald via Wayah Gap
Siler Bald via Wayah Gap
Length3.6 mi Difficulty6.1 North Carolina
A great hike any time of the year, walk along the Appalachian Trail to climb this grassy bald for one of North Carolina's best short hikes.
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Tamassee Knob Tamassee Knob
Tamassee Knob
Length4.1 mi Difficulty6.4 South Carolina
Perfect for winter months, Tamassee Knob offers views through the trees on both sides of a knife-edge ridge, culminating with an excellent view to the north.
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Panther Creek Falls Panther Creek Falls
Panther Creek Falls
Length6.5 mi Difficulty6.2 Georgia
As one of the most popular hikes in Georgia, sometimes you gotta wait for a chilly day to enjoy the falls all to yourself.
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Vineyard Mountain Eagle Scout Trails Vineyard Mountain Eagle Scout Trails
Vineyard Mountain Eagle Scout Trails
Length5.7 mi Difficulty15.9 Georgia
A challenging hike of ups and downs with a few winter views of Allatoona Lake and Allatoona Dam, Vinyard Mountain Trail is a quick getaway hike when the north Georgia mountains feel a little too far away.
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Hanging Rock Trail Hanging Rock Trail
Hanging Rock Trail
Length2.4 mi Difficulty5.1 North Carolina
Hiking the namesake trail in Hanging Rock State Park offers visitors incredible views at the cost of a moderate climb over this short trail. Skip the crowds in cooler months.
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Blood Mountain via Wolfpen Gap Blood Mountain via Wolfpen Gap
Blood Mountain via Wolfpen Gap
Length6.3 mi Difficulty16.5 Georgia
While there's no getting around the crowds at the top on a weekend, even in winter, you're sure to find this route less trafficked than others on your way up.
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