Nothing says Trail Town more than having a trail – the Appalachian Trail, no less – run smack dab through downtown. Thus, it’s no surprise that a weekend in Hot Springs would be dominated by hiking on the AT, the longest dedicated footpath in the world.
Day 1
Morning
Hike the Appalachian Trail up to Lover’s Leap. From downtown, pick up the AT anywhere on Bridge Street and head east (actually ‘north,’ in the official AT vernacular) across the French Broad River. Follow the AT down to the river, then go left on Silvermine Road, which, shortly, takes you to the Lover’s Leap Trail. In half a mile you’ll be atop the trail’s namesake overlook enjoying a sweeping view of Hot Springs and the French Broad valley below. Complete the loop by taking the AT back into Hot Springs. Distance: 2.7 miles. Difficulty: Moderate.
Afternoon
Raft the French Broad River. From atop Lover’s Leap on your morning hike, you’ll get a healthy appreciation for the French Broad River below. If that impression is: “Boy, that is one frisky river, I’ll bet it would be fun in a raft,” you’re in luck – it is fun and several outfitters offer full- and half-day trips. A popular option is the 3- to 4-hour trip from Marshall to Hot Springs, which includes a bevy of spirited Class II and III rapids – and a spot or two of calm water where you can get out for a swim.
Evening
Take a soak. After a day of adventure, show your body how thankful you are by booking 60 minutes in one of the local mineral baths. If you’re thinking, “I’ll just wait and see how I feel before committing,” don’t. Spaces fill quickly. And trust us, you will indeed feel the need for a long soak.
Dining and nightlife. Hot Springs’ compact downtown offers a range of dining options, all locally owned and operated. After dinner, if you still have some steam, you shouldn’t have trouble finding live entertainment.
Day 2
All Day
Hike the AT from Garenflo Gap into Hot Springs. Your brief stint on the AT on Day 1 wasn’t enough, was it? Earn your AT chops with this 7-mile hike from Garenflo Gap into downtown.
A number of shuttle services are available to drive you the 20 minutes to your starting point at Garenflo. From there, hike north on the AT through a rich Appalachian hardwood forest. There’s a mild climb or two, but the hike trends downhill. Pack a lunch, which you can enjoy at the 4-mile mark, at the Deer Park Mountain Shelter. And bring trekking poles, especially for the last mile, which drops about 1,000 vertical feet on the descent into town. Distance: about 7 miles (depending upon where you finish in downtown Hot Springs). Difficulty: Moderate.
Details
- For general information on exploring Hot Springs: https://www.hotspringsnc.org/
- For routes of the trails described: https://www.alltrails.com/