Asheville North Carolina Travel GuideAsheville North Carolina

 

    

Max Patch & Lover's Leap Hikes near Hot Springs

Also see: Hiking Guide | Mount Mitchell | Cold Mountain | Waterfall Hikes | Appalachian Trail | Hot Springs |
Great Smokies Hiking | Pisgah National Forest | Clingmans Dome


Enjoy the views from Max Patch on the Appalachian Trial near Hot Springs.

Max Patch
Hike a 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. On a clear day, you can see from Mt. Mitchell on the east to the Great Smoky Mountains on the south. What a picnic spot! And great for star gazing and enjoying wildflowers. The summit is a short walk from the parking lot. Max Patch is part of the Pisgah National Forest.

Two easy loop trails lead you to, and around, the summit. The 1.4-mile short loop crosses the summit. The 2.4 mile loop circles the mountain for outstanding views from all the sides. From the parking lot, follow the marked trail to the left. You will ascend through a forest and then reach the top for amazing views. The rest of the hike is on the grassy bald. You can also hike north or south on the Appalachian Trail for as far as you want.

The Great Smoky Mountains, only 20 miles away, dominate the southwest horizon. To the west the terrain drops over 3600 feet into the flatlands of eastern Tennessee. To the west, 50 miles distant, rises the dark ridgeline of the Black Mountains. Endless ridges and peaks fill in the panorama everywhere else.

Take along a jacket, since it's usually at least 10 degrees cooler on Max Patch than in Asheville. And it's usually breezy.

Directions from Asheville: Take I-40 West to exit 7 (Harmon's Den). Take a right on Cold Springs Road, and the road almost immediately becomes gravel. This usually well-graded road climbs steadily but never steeply 6.2 miles to SR-1182 (Max Patch Rd). Turn left and drive 1.5 miles to the Max Patch parking area on the right. Allow an hour to drive.

Directions from Hot Springs: 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.

Max Patch
 

Max Patch
   
   
   
View from Max Patch

Lover's Leap Hike
Start from the center of downtown Hot Springs for this one. The hike is 45 minutes to 1.5 hours depending on how much time you take to enjoy the views, wild flowers, rhododendron and scenery. Individuals in moderate physical condition can enjoy this hike. Be sure to wear walking/running  shoes or hiking boots. Stop at Bluff Mountain Outfitters, the Forest Service Office in the middle of town or the Red Caboose Welcome Center for a map and directions.

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.

 

See our Asheville Area Hiking Guide.

Go to the Hot Springs Web site.

     

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