Appalachian Trail: Garenflo Gap to Hot Springs

Make a weekend trip from Max Patch to Hot Springs N.C., and be sure to soak in the natural hot springs at the old inn after your hike! This is an incredible, relatively easy hike with the reward at the end being hot springs on the French Broad River. You can break this up however you like, this is just a general list. From the trail to the first spot you can camp, you will see a blue-blazed tr...

Lovers Leap Loop trail is a 1.8 mile loop in Hot Springs, NC. The address of the trailhead is 138 Silver Mine Rd, Hot Springs, NC 28743. Once you arrive at the parking lot, you will see a trail leading up into the mountain with a post next to it. This is where you want to begin. It is part of the Appalachian Trail, so you will be following the white blazes all the way through.  The trail greets...

Max Patch Mountain was once cleared for pasture land, leaving an expansive flat summit that now serves as the ideal location for a picnic hike, flying a kite, or laying in the sun surrounded by the Great Smoky Mountains. With little elevation gain and a short distance it is also very family (and dog!) friendly. A section of the Appalachian Trail crosses right over the bald so keep an eye out f...

Rich Mountain fire tower is located in the Cherokee National Forest just outside of Hot springs North Carolina. Getting there is pretty easy once you get off of US 25W you drive up a gravel road for about 5 miles until you get to the tower. Once you get to the top its about a 100 foot walk until you get to the tower. This location is perfect for camping because it is secluded and you can drive ...

Laurel River Trail is an out-and-back trail that takes you by a river located near Marshall, North Carolina.

The trailhead to this hike is easy to find but the gps is hard to match so it might try to take you through the middle of the trees but its easy to follow the road. The best way to get here is to go off of I-40 at the Harmon Den exit and then go up the road towards Max Patch. To get to the trailhead you take the first right after the exit. Once on this road you will pass the Harmon Den horse ca...