The Little Known Hiking Path in North Carolina Is Our Favorite First Hike of the Year

I have been on top of many mountains in my day, but none of them are as pretty as Round Bald. This little known hiking path in North Carolina holds a little secret during the colder months. Not only is it the prettiest place to see mountain layers, but during the winter it gets transformed into one of the most magical places I have ever seen. If you want to experience a summit like no other then wait for a snowy day then make your way up to this breathtakingly beautiful location. 

Since snow days can be far and few in between here in the south you will have to keep your eyes peeled for the forecast to plan your trip just right. We struck gold one day when we woke up and saw the ground covered in a fine powder. We packed our things immediately and left for the higher elevation and it got even more magical as we ascended higher and higher. The soft white layering covered the trees and washed the whole mountain in a glittering shimmer of winter wonder. 

As much as I loved the drive up we still had a mountain to climb. Fortunately for us, the hike to Round Bald from Carvers Gap is only a mere 1.6-mile out-and-back hike. It was early January and we were ready to kick off the year with what ended up being the most enchanting hike in the winter. We bundled up and braved the negative temperatures for the fantastic views. 

Up the hills and into what I call the dead forest we witnessed thousands of heavy snow-laden branches bowing to the awesomeness of the season before us. Each evergreen was covered in a thick layer of soft fluffy snow, but the cold temperatures froze it immediately which created the allure of freshly fallen snow, but in reality, it was crystalized over. I had never seen something so magical in my life! 

The stunning mountain layers have always looked majestic, but with a layer of freshly fallen snow, the powdered peaks looked especially pretty. When you get up to the top of Round Bald, hikers are greeted with the most wonderful view of the East Tennessee mountains on one side and the western North Carolina mountains on the other side. 

As many times as I have hiked this trail, it felt completely new to me in the snow. We are blessed with being able to experience the four seasons and watch the changing of the world around us. So even if you have been up on this mountain before I would highly recommend bundling up for a winter hike.

If you live anywhere in the western part of the state, this little-known hiking path in North Carolina is a must in the winter. I have never experienced anything like the beauty I have seen on top of this mountain, which is one of the places I take out-of-state family every chance I get. Even though the trail is well traveled and well marked, I would recommend making sure you have your AllTrails app handy on the hike or you might continue on the Appalachian Trail and somehow end up in Maine. For further inspiration for this winter wonderland, check out this Adventuring in the Moment video of when we hiked Round Bald in the winter.