Murray’s Branch is a great Winter’s day hike. It offers beautiful views of the French Broad River as it flows into Tennessee. You can do this as a loop trail or hook up with Jack Branch Trail blue blazes)which meanders on up the ridge and offers sweet spots to look up the river toward Hot Springs.
T & R Rating
Excellent Views
Moderate difficulty
1.3 mile loop trail
Yellow Blaze
Directions to Trail Head
Go to Hot Springs on Hwy 209. Continue across the French Broad as if you are going out of town and just on the other side of the river turn LEFT onto River Road. It will take a hard right and follow the river. The road turns to dirt and then you will come to Murray’s Branch Picnic area which is well marked. The trail takes off on the right hand side of the road across from the picnic area. It goes up to the ridge and follows the river up on the cliffs for beautiful views
Swimming Hole
If you follow the road on down to the paint creek you will come to a paved road. If you stay on the lower road which is not a rough as the high road, you will come to Dudly Falls a great swimming hole.
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