The Tennessee Hike That’s 100% Worth Braving the Cold

Living in Tennessee allows us to experience all four seasons without dealing with the extreme cold in the winter. This makes it perfect to bundle up and hit the trails without worrying about freezing to death. Rock Fork State Park has a trail that may be pretty brutal to try to complete in the heat of summer, but in the winter, you will be thankful for the difficulty as it warms you up. To get the blood pumping, take off on the Whitehouse Cliffs Trail.

I would recommend downloading the map of the Whitehouse Cliffs Trail on AllTrails before you take off and using it to help guide you along your journey. This short hike is an out-and-back trail for 2 miles but has an elevation gain of nearly 1000 feet! That means a big uphill trek to the top to warm you up on a cold winter's day. 

The view from the top is always beautiful, whether you see it in the lush green of the summer or the fiery colors of fall. However, in the winter, the trees are bare and won't obstruct your view of the stunning mountain layers.

Ideally, the best time is to hike after light snow so you can enjoy the scenery under a blanket of freshly fallen snow.

I have certainly taken breaks on mountain tops to enjoy a granola bar before, but it can be a whole different experience to pull out a food flask filled with hot homemade soup. To complete this adventure, bring along your favorite warm meal and allow the steaming hot soup to warm your whole body as you peacefully soak in the views.

I love creating unique adventures and memorable moments with my family while being outside, and this simple little winter hike in Tennessee is just one example. It can really be the smallest things that stick in your mind and make you look back fondly on a trail. If you want more information about the park, make sure to visit the Rocky Fork State Park website. And if you're looking for more ideas on how to make this winter getaway in Tennessee even greater, head on over to our itinerary planner for recommendations.