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Trails in the Hot Springs Area:
Disclaimer: Bluff Mountain
Outfitters, Inc. assumes no responsibility for the
completeness or accuracy of the contents of this
information, nor for any damages incurred while
attempting any of the routes described. Roads and
trails may change over time. Many of these trails
and roads may not be marked with signs. Mileages
may vary & Forest Service rules and regulations may
change. There are risks inherent in the sports of
hiking and mountain biking including
death.
Hiking
Trails :
Silvermine
Trailhead
{MAP}
Lovers
Leap Trail
Lovers
Leap and Appalachian Trail Loop
1.6 miles
The Lover's Leap Trail and the
Appalachian Trail along the French Broad River create a
scenic, 1.6 mile loop. From the Silvermine
Trailhead walk down the road and get on the Appalachian
Trail(white blazes) along the French Broad River.
After about 0.5 mile the trail climbs steeply to Lover's
Leap ridge where rock outcrops provide great
views. Return on the Lover's Leap Trail(Blue
Blazes) and decend to the trailhead.
Pump
Gap Loop
2.4
miles
Follow The Lovers Leap Trail from the Silvermine
trailhead. At the first major switchback,
the Pump Gap Trail goes straight. At the next
right fork the trail climbs to the AT at Pump Gap,
crosses then returns by a combination of old forest
roads and foot trails. The Trail is Moderate in
difficulty, offering many changes in elevation and
scenery. Can be looped with the Appalachian
Trail.
Appalachian Trail from Hot Springs
to Allen Gap
14.7 miles, white
rectangle
blazes.
Heading north, the AT crosses the bridge over the
French Broad River the jumps the gaurdrail to the
right. The AT follows the river upstream ascends
Lover's Leap Ridge then after 5 miles comes to the
grassy meadows and pond of Mill Ridge. The trail
then descends to Tanyard Gap where it crosses US 25/70
on an overpass, climbs to the junction of the Roundtop
Ridge Trail, passes the Rich Mountain Fire Tower Trail
then comes to the junction of FS#467a, FS#422 &
FS#3514. Shortly after this junction the trail
comes to Hurricane Gap (FS#467). The trail then
continues north passing Spring Mountain Shelter and
finally coming to NC208(Allen Gap). A nice loop can be
made with the Pump Gap Trail or the Roundtop Ridge
Trail. Another loop option begins at
Tanyard Gap and returns to Tanyard via the Salt Box
Road(FS#3514).
Roundtop Ridge
Trail
3.2 miles one
Way
From the Junction
with the Appalachian Trail on Rich Mountain the Roundtop
Ridge Trail meanders down the ridge, past old farm
fields and through an oak-hickory forest. The
Trail ends on Reservoir Road near the Hot Springs Water
Tank. Resevoir Road joins the River Road 1/4 mile
downstream of US 25/70. This trail can be hiked as
a loop with the AT (8.8 miles AT-3.2 Miles Roundtop
Ridge-1.5 miles road)
Trails Accessed
From US 25/70 &
NC208
Take US 25/70 East & South 5
Miles to the Laurel River and the junction of NC
208. For Trails on 208 turn
left.
Laurel River
Trail
(3.6 miles one-way,distance from
Hot Springs-miles)
Begins near the junction of NC 208 and 25/70 on a dirt
road that turns into the trail. Single track on an
old railroad grade to the ghost town of Runion where the
Laurel empties into the French Broad River. Easy
grade.
Trails Out Hwy
209
Spring Creek Nature Trail
The 1.6-mile Spring Creek Nature
Trail is located at Rocky Bluff Recreation Area and is
an easy-to-moderate, yellow-blazed trail. At .5 mile,
there is a nice vista of Spring Creek. Then the trail
continues around the mountain, following along the side
of the cascading stream. Keep a lookout for Eastern
hemlock (Tsuga canadensis), basswood (Tilia americana),
oaks, and an abundance of wildflowers including
varieties of trillium.
Van
Cliff Loop
2.6
miles
A steep, difficult hike along streams and ridge
tops where the forest has reclaimed old farmland.
The Trail leaves the south end of the Rocky Bluff
Campground, crosses NC 209, and ascends Taylor
Hollow Creek.
Max Patch
Whether black clouds ominously color the
surrounding mountains or a clear blue sky affords breathtakingly
panoramic views of the Black, Bald, Balsam, and Great
Smoky mountains, Max Patch is a favorite trail with
hikers of all degrees of endurance. It is a gentle climb
across the southernmost bald on the Appalachian Trail
to its grassy summit at 4,629 feet. During the warmer
seasons, the trail abounds with wildflowers. This relatively
short hike can be extended by continuing either north
or south on the Appalachian Trail.
The northern
segment travels 20 miles to the town of Hot Springs. The
first 7 miles along this segment are easy, gaining less
than 1,000 feet in elevation, but the path soon climbs
steadily toward the wooded summit of Walnut Mountain
(elevation 4,280 feet). After a short stretch on an old
roadbed, the trail reaches Catpen Gap and ascends Bluff
Mountain (elevation 4,686 feet). From here the trail
drops steadily, losing more than 3,000 feet along its
10-mile descent into Hot Springs. After a two-day hike,
the Hot Springs Spa offers a luxurious change of pace
(see Hot Springs).
Privately owned
until 1982, the land covered by the trail had been used
for grazing sheep and cattle. An offer to sell to a ski
development was fortunately countered by the U.S. Forest
Service, which bought the 392 acres for the Appalachian
Trail.
Directions: From
Hot Springs, travel south on NC 209 for 7 miles. Turn
right onto NC 1175 and continue for 5 miles. Turn onto
NC 1182 (Max Patch Road) and travel 3 miles to the
parking area at the foot of the bald.
- Activities:
Hiking.
- Facilities: None
at Max Patch. Several shelters along the Appalachian
Trail.
- Fees: None.
- Closest town:
Hot Springs, 15 miles.
- Elevation: 4,692 feet.
Trail distance and configuration: Connector trail
from parking lot to the AT approximately .5 mile. The
Max Patch–Hot Springs segment of the AT approximately 20
miles.
Degree of difficulty: Max Patch: Easy. AT to
Hot Springs: Moderate.
Surface and blaze: Forest floor,
pastureland; white blaze on the AT.
On Shut-In
Road
Take US 25/70 west 3 miles, then
turn left on Upper Shut-In Road
(SR#1183).
Betty
Place Trail
1.2
Miles
An Easy loop on a magnificent north-facing slope of
Bluff Mountain. The Trailhead is nearly at the end
of Upper Shut-In Road on the left. The trail
passes remnants of several home sites.
East
Fork of Shut-In
2.0 Miles one
way
A moderate hike along Shut-In creek from Upper Shut-In
road to the Appalachian Trail at Garenflo
Gap.
On River
Road
Go east on US 25/70
across the French Broad River Bridge. Turn left on
River Road (SR #1304). Follow River Road to Murray
Branch or Paint Rock.
Murray Branch Picnic
Area
The
Murray Branch Recreation Area is located 6 miles down
the French Broad River from Hot Springs. The area offers
recreational opportunities for picnicking, fishing, and
canoe access to the river. Facilities at Murray Branch,
under the shade of pines, include picnic tables, grills,
restrooms, water, and two picnic shelters for large
groups. An easy, 1-mile loop trail is adjacent to the
area, providing a bird's-eye view of the French Broad
River and the surrounding valley.
River
Ridge Loop Trail
1.3 mile
loop
A moderate loop that climbs through a pine forest for
good river views. The trail begins across from the
Murray Branch Picnic Area.
Jack
Branch Trail
2.4 miles one way, blue
blazes A steep, difficult trail
that climbs to 2900' for good views of Hot Springs and
the French Broad River. The trail begins on The
River Ridge Loop crosses The Polecat Hoolow Road
(FS#468) and ends at The Shad Road (FS#422).
Paint
Rock
Trail
(1.3
Miles, difficult, distance from Hot Springs-7
miles)
Trail begins at Paint Rock 7 miles from Hot
Springs via river road. Take FS #54 towards Lone
Pine Gap 1/10 mile. Look for trail on left near Forest Service
road sign. Trail ascends steeply to the intersection of
The Chimney Rocks Trail. There is a beautiful view
of Weaver's Bend and the north side of Bluff Mountain
at this trail junction.
Shelton
Laurel Backcountry
Hickey
Fork Waterfall
Only 1.1 miles in
length, the trail to Hickey Fork Waterfall is strenuous.
The falls are rich with growing mosses. The small
grottos that can be spotted behind its mist provide a
habitat for the spray-cliff natural community. From Hot
Springs, head north on NC 208 until it intersects with
NC 212, and take a right. Continue for 6.8 miles to NC
1310, which is known as Hickey Fork Road. Turn left and
drive until you see the parking area on the right. The
trailhead begins about 200 feet up the road, on the
left. Hike in about 1 mile. At this point, a smaller yet
beautiful cascade occurs on the right. To reach the main
waterfall, continue another .1 mile. Some bushwhacking
is necessary to reach the base of the waterfall.
Hemlock, white pine (Pinus strobus), yellow-poplar
(Liriodendron tulipifera), rhododendron (Rhododendron
catawbiense and maximum), mountain laurel (Kalmia
latifolia), dog-hobble (Viburnum alnifolium), and ferns
are all common.
Biking Trails:
Warning: Due to
flooding in 2001 Paint Rock road(FS#41) was
closed. It is possible that the road will be
reopened by the fall of 2005. Make sure to
check with the forest service for
updates.
River
Road: (7 miles one-way) This easy road
ride follows the French Broad 7 miles to Paint
Rock. The first 3.5 miles is paved, the
second half is gravel. Murray Branch picnic
area is about 1 mile beyond the start of the
gravel.
Laurel River
Trail:
(3.6 miles
one-way,distance from Hot Springs-5 miles) Begins
near the junction of NC 208 and 25/70 on a dirt road
that turns into the trail. Single track on an old
railroad grade to the ghost town of Runion where the
Laurel empties into the French Broad River. Easy
grade, but with some technical rocky sections from past
flooding on the trail.
Mill Ridge Bike
Trail:
(4 mile
loop, distance from Hot Springs-3.5 miles) A
moderate loop on old forest roads with a short section
of single track to connect the loop. The fields
and wildlife openings of Mill Ridge provide views of the
mountains.
Golden Ridge Trail:
(7.5 miles, distance from Hot
Springs-8 miles) A moderate to difficult loop on
old road forest roads with a short section of single
track to connect the loop.
Gum Spring:
(2.6 miles, distance
from Hot Springs-17.5 miles) Difficult single
track trail starting at Meadow Creek fire tower and
ending at Burnett Gap (TN 107). This trail can be
combined with Burnett Gap trail for a more varied and
difficult ride.
Burnett Gap
Trail:
(7.5 Miles, distance from Hot
Springs-14 miles) A combination of difficult
single track and old forest roads. A major climb
can be averted by doing a shorter version of the
trail by taking FS # 5103 to TN 107.
Paint Mountain Trail:
(4.5 Miles, Difficult,
distance from Hot Springs-11.5 miles) This
trail starts at Lone Pine Gap FS#54. A forest fire
came through here a few years ago so you have to start
the trail on FS# 5112 for the first 1/2 mile.
After ascending Paint Mountain the trail drops to an
intersection of FS#54B. 54B is an alternate route
if biking up from Paint Rock. Shortly after this
junction the trail meets the begining of the Chimney
Rocks trail. Paint Mountain take a right and
travels 3 miles
downnnnn to
FS#209C.
Chimney Rocks
Trail:
(2.9 miles,
Difficult, distance from Hot Springs-11.5 miles) To
access this trail you must ride the first 1.5 miles of
the Paint Mountain Trail or ride FS#54B. Single
track trail decends steeply into the French Broad
valley with stunning views of Weavers Bend and Bluff
Mountain. Trail ends at Weavers Bend
FS#209C.
Paint Rock
Trail: (1.3
Miles, Very Difficult, distance from Hot Springs-7
miles) To access this trail you must ride the first 1/2
mile of the Chimney Rocks Trail. Trail drops from
2400' to 1340' in 1.3 miles. Need we say
more. Trail ends at Paint Rock 7 miles from Hot
Springs via river road.
Greene Mountain Trail:
(3.7 Miles, Difficult,
distance from Hot Springs-20 miles) This is one of
the most challenging and scenic trails in the Hot
Springs area. Starts near Camp Creek bald in the
upper Paint creek area. Trail rides the ridge of
Greene mountain then has a very steep switchbacked
descent to Greene Mountain road FS#98
Shad Road:
(6.9 miles, moderate forest road,
distance from Hot Springs-7.5 miles) The Shad Road
FS#422 Starts 1/10th of a mile from Hurricane Gap on FS
#467A. The road winds along the state line with
views into both states. Some good climbs, washouts
and mud holes. The road ends at FS #422A. This
road system links many riding opportunities in the rich
mountain area (see-Bellcow Mountain, Polecat Hollow,
Rough Branch & FS#31).
Bellcow
Mountain: (intermediate/advanced single track, distance
from Hot Springs 12.5 miles) The Bellcow Mountain Trail
connects the Shad Road to FS#31. Although it is
technically a FS road(#422B) it has more of the
attributes of a nice downhill single track ride.
This can be used to make a shorter and more challenging
version of the shad road loop(#422-#422a-#31) or can
connect back to Rough Branch via
FS#422a
.
Polecat
Hollow:
(Intermediate double track)This
FS road connects the shad road(FS#422) to the River
Road(#1304) near Paint Rock. The first section is
a grassy jeep road (FS#468A) that drops off the shad
road and leads you to the more established gated Polecat
Hollow road(FS#468). This road winds its way for
miles with great views
into
the French Broad river valley.
Salt Box
Road:
(Intermediate/Advanced double
track, distance from Hot Springs-7.5 miles) This
gated grassy road(FS#3514) starts opposite the Shad Road
on FS#467A. After gaining some elevation over
Scraggy Ridge the road begins to descend towards US
25/70 at Tanyard Gap. The last mile drops about
1000 feet. The road has grown narrow in a lot
of places and the last section has some
washouts.
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