The Little Known Hiking Path in Tennessee is our Favorite First Hike of the Year

We don’t always get a lot of snow here in the Volunteer State, but when we do, it can be a very exciting event. So, when it comes to one of the first hikes in Tennessee of the year, I want to find myself in a unique location and see something I wouldn’t necessarily be able to see most of the rest of the year. For that, I want to go to this little-known hiking path where you can see a frozen waterfall! I was able to time this right, and fingers crossed, I might get to see it again. Sill Branch Falls is an amazing family-friendly hike, but when you take the journey in the winter, well, that puts it on another level. 

I remember it like it was yesterday. The second we stepped out of the car, we were hit with the cool mountain air that felt much colder than when we started our journey. There was a light dusting of snow on the ground and a layer weighing down the green rhododendrons lining the path. As cold as it was, I still did not expect the waterfall to freeze. The water falls down the face of the cliff for twenty feet, so it would have to be pretty cold to freeze the flow. My jaw dropped as we rounded the last corner, and we were standing at the foot of the waterfall, completely frozen against the blackened rock wall. This sight felt even more special because of how rare it is to see, but if you time it right, you can witness this crystalized natural wonder yourself. 

The trick is to obviously watch the forecast. When it snows in the area, keep an eye on what it looks like in Erwin. Because this trail is within the mountains, the cooler air means more wintery white stuff. The day we saw the frozen waterfall in Johnson City, there was less than a quarter inch of snow on the ground, so even only ten miles away, you can see a huge difference; mountain weather is funny like that. However, when we saw the trail lined with snow, we knew we were in for a treat. 

The trail is a simple one-mile out-and-back hike with less than 300 feet of elevation gain. From the trailhead to the waterfall, it is a steady incline the whole way as you follow the stream leading down the mountain. This offers you a peaceful retreat from the busy world as you match your pace with the downward trickle of the stream. If you take your hike in January as we did, then you may have the privilege of seeing the branches swaying under the weight of the snow.   

One of the reasons I love frozen waterfalls is simply the variety. With the way the water freezes, there are so many ways it can completely change and shift the entire look of the waterfall. One time, you might see it with large icicles hanging from the ledges like spires on an upside-down castle; then, other times, you may see water cascading down as its path is being manipulated by a frozen wall of ice. This exciting dynamic will keep me coming back time and time again. 

The little-known hiking path to Sill Branch Falls in Erwin, Tennessee, is a go-to spot when it comes to an epic winter hike. With very little effort, this Tennessee trail offers a massive payoff. I would recommend getting the AllTrails app and downloading the map for Sill Branch Falls before you go, because there is little to no cell service within the woods.

Feeling inspired? Try planning your own trip using Only In Your State’s itinerary planner.