From town you walk north on Bridge Street and cross the bridge over the French Broad River. You are actually walking on the Appalachian Trail at this point as it runs right through town. The AT is marked with white blazes. Stay on the right side of the bridge and immediately after crossing the bridge there will be a guard rail with a path on the other side. Step over the guard rail and follow the path to the street below. Follow the street up river about 50 yards until you cross a wooden bridge. Continue on along the river and you will see white blazes marking the Appalachian Trail every 100 feet or so. After a few hundred yards, just beyond Surprise Falls,  the trail goes away from the river and does a number of switch-backs upward. The trail is well marked and well established.

There are two large rock promontories along the way with great views of the river, the valley and town. Lover's Leap is the first rock outcropping. At the 2nd one there will be a sign that says Silvermine Trailhead and points down or Appalachian Trail pointing up. Take the Silvermine Trailhead trail down through the rhododendron forest. After about 10-15 minutes you will see a campsite to your left  and set of steps built into the hill going to the left. Take a left going down the steps. This will take you to Silvermine Trailhead and Silvermine Road.

Follow Silvermine Road about 150 yards downhill until you arrive back at the wood bridge and street  you were on before. Walk up the road, up the bank to Bridge Street, over the guard rail, retracing your route to town.

Max Patch
Hike another section of the famous Appalachian National Scenic Trail (or A.T.) on top of Max Patch Mountain near Hot Springs. This 4,600-foot mountain was cleared and used as pasture in the 1800s. Today, it's a 350-acre tract of open land on a high knob with 360-degree views. What a picnic spot! The summit is a short walk from the parking lot. You can hike north or south on the Appalachian Trail for as far as you want.

Directions: From downtown Hot Springs, follow Highway 209 (7.3 miles) to Meadow Fork Road (State Road 1175). Go 5.3 miles to State Road 1181. Follow 1181 for 2 miles (turns into gravel). At the top of the mountain, turn right onto State Road 1182 and Max Patch parking is 3 miles.