Lover’s Leap Hike, Hot Springs NC

Lover’s Leap is located on the Appalachian Trail just outside of the trail town of Hot Springs in Western North Carolina. It offers a couple of nice views that look down on the French Broad River and Hot Springs. I’m sure if you have been hiking on the AT for a couple of days (or weeks) it would be a fantastic sight for the weary AT thru-hiker because it would mean you could have pizza and beer, a chance to wash your cloths and best of all, a nice long soak in natural hot springs. For the day hiker, I think better views can be found on other hikes in the area (Max Patch for example), but Lover’s Leap is a short and easily accessible hike practically in the town of Hot Springs. On the day we went, we were scheduled to do some hot tubing at the Hot Springs Spa, so we opted for a short pre-tub hike and Lover’s Leap was just the ticket.

Directions: Park in Hot Springs and walk to the bridge that enters town and crosses the French Broad (you already crossed this bridge if you came from Asheville). At the end of the bridge, hop the guardrail on the right hand side and walk down to the river. You will see a path leading to the right with a sign pointing to the Silvermine trail head and the Appalachian Trail. You want to go on the AT which parallels the river.

Type of hike: Loop
Distance: 1.6 miles
Terrain: Moderate
Elevation Gain: 500 ft.

Lover's Leap trail head

View Lover’s Leap Trail in a larger map

Lover’s Leap is a short 1.6 mile hike with a brisk 500 foot gain in elevation. There are several options to extend the hike further and you can pick up a map of the area at Bluff Mountain Outfitters in town. The trail starts along a sandy path that follows the French Broad River. After a couple of hundred yards, the trial will switchback and lead you up the bluff. You will continue to switchback as you gain elevation and this part could be strenuous depending on your pace. The trail is well worn and clearly marked with white AT blazes. After the series of switchbacks, the trail will start to follow the contour of the mountain and lead you to the first over look, Lover’s Leap. There is also a second overlook where the trail splits. Follow the Silvermine trail to finish the hike. This trail will take you down the side of the mountain though rhododendron thickets and spit you out on a road that takes you back to the bridge.

View of the French Broad River from Hot Spring, NC

Beginning the Lover's Leap trail loop

View from the trail

Map showing other hiking options around Lover's Leap

How Lover’s Leap got its name: I have heard a couple of versions of this story, but this one is straight from the US Forest Service sign.

This towering rock face above the French Broad River is easily visible from the town of Hot Springs as well as by river travelers. According to legend, it was named by the Cherokee Indians after on of their maidens, Mist-on-the-Mountain, threw herself into the raging waters. As the legend goes, her northern love, Magwa, was killed by a jealous rival called Lone Wolf. Mist-on-the-Mountain was so sad that she jumped to her death from Lover’s Leap. The Cherokee Indians and the Creek Indians Shared this area as a neutral hunting ground.