Tennessee · Hiking

Jack Branch

2.2 mi
round trip
697 ft
climb
2,918 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Mar–May, Sep–Nov
best months

Is Jack Branch open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in National Forests in North Carolina. It doesn't name Jack Branch, so check the source for the area it covers.

As of · Source: USFS · National Forests in North Carolina. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Jack Branch is an easy out-and-back hike in Tennessee's Appalachian Ranger District, part of the National Forests in North Carolina. The trail is about 2.2 miles long, with a total elevation gain of 697 feet, and it reaches a high point of 2,918 feet. The climb is steepest at the start, with a 20% grade at about 0.06 miles in, and the route is natural-surfaced and open to bikes. The most comfortable months for a visit are typically October and May, when typical averages from the nearby Hot Springs, NC weather station run around 72°F and 78°F. That station sits well below the trail, so temperatures on the higher ground run cooler. The hike is open year-round and takes about an hour to complete. Jack Branch Trail lies about 1.6 miles away, and Paint Creek Trail (ext) is about 2.4 miles off. Paint Creek Campground and the Paint Creek paddling route are both about 2.9 miles away.

Local outfitters

Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.

  • Best time to go · Mar–May, Sep–Nov

    Best time to visit Jack Branch

    Best months: March–May and September–November. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      48° / 28°

      12 wet

    2. Feb

      52° / 31°

      12 wet

    3. Mar

      60° / 37°

      12 wet

    4. Apr

      71° / 44°

      12 wet

    5. May

      78° / 54°

      12 wet

    6. Jun

      84° / 62°

      13 wet

    7. Jul

      87° / 65°

      13 wet

    8. Aug

      86° / 65°

      11 wet

    9. Sep

      82° / 59°

      8 wet

    10. Oct

      72° / 47°

      9 wet

    11. Nov

      60° / 36°

      9 wet

    12. Dec

      51° / 32°

      11 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Hot Springs, NC, 3.1 mi away at 1,345 ft. The station sits about 1,600 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive

Roundtop RidgePhoto: Hot Springs Tourism & Welcome Center, CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Roundtop Ridge

~5 min drive

A moderate 6.41-mile out-and-back trail in Tennessee connecting to the Appalachian Trail system.

Lover's LeapPhoto: Hot Springs Tourism & Welcome Center, CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Lover's Leap

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A hard 1.11-mile out-and-back trail in Tennessee connecting to Silver Mine Trail and the Appalachian Trail.

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Jack Branch Trail

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2.32-mile out-and-back trail in Tennessee with 1,328 ft elevation gain.

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PAINT MTN TRAIL

~5 min drive

16.8-mile out-and-back trail in Tennessee with 6,212 ft elevation gain

Pump Gap LoopPhoto: Hot Springs Tourism & Welcome Center, CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Pump Gap Loop

~7 min drive

An 8.51-mile out-and-back singletrack trail in Tennessee connecting to the Appalachian Trail.

Max Patch Short LoopPhoto: Marit & Toomas Hinnosaar, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Max Patch Short Loop

~20 min drive

A moderate 1.88-mile out-and-back trail in Tennessee that connects to the Appalachian Trail system.

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Paint Rock Trail

~5 min drive

2.4-mile out-and-back trail in Tennessee with 1,524 ft elevation gain

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Paint Mountain Trail

~5 min drive

12.7-mile out-and-back trail in Tennessee with 4,360 ft elevation gain

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PAINT CREEK TRAIL

~5 min drive

9.06-mile out-and-back trail in Tennessee with 2,822 ft elevation gain and loss.

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River Ridge Loop

~2 min drive

0.41-mile out-and-back trail in Tennessee with 218 ft of elevation gain.