Hiking-Little Bird Cabin Rentals Hot Springs NC
Hiking in Hot Springs NC
Hiking Around Hot Springs, NC
There are countless gorgeous places to hike in and around Hot Springs. Hiking options offer something for everyone, from beginners to seasoned explorers. Here are a few great Appalachian and Smoky Mountain hikes.
Our kiddos hiking on the Appalachian Trail
The Appalachian Trail -
Trail Length: From Georgia to Maine!
Distance from Cabins: 1 minute walk
Of course we HAVE to feature the Appalachian Trail-- Not only is it renowned from coast to coast, but it is literally steps from the cabin door! Head left from the cabins and you will see the Southern trail head immediately on your right.
As you hike you will see an abundance of unique herbs, shrubs and trees characteristic of the Appalachian mountains. My favorite time to hike is early Spring (March and April) when the spring ephemerals are out. Trillium, spring beauties, trout lily, and bloodroot, are all gorgeous and easy to spot. If you look closely, you may even see the leathery purple/brown flowers at the base of Wild Ginger and Hexastylis. in Summer you can enjoy a reprieve from the hot sun when you step under the thick canopy of leaves. The temperature drops about 10 degrees! Late summer and fall are fantastic times to hunt mushrooms and also work alongside the squirrels and other critters to harvest the abundance of nuts that cover the ground. Winter, after the leaves have all fallen, provides the most fantastic views as you traverse the ridge-lines. You can see for miles!
Max Patch
Trail Length: 2.6 mile loop or 0.4 miles to Summit
Distance from Cabins: 45 minute drive
We LOVE this hike! From the parking lot, it's a 20 minute (ish) hike up, but we are sure you'll forget about the sweat it took to hike up once you get there, because you'll be rewarded with expansive views in all directions. It is like being on top of the world! Max Patch is especially great at sunrise or sunset. In late July, enjoy snacking on the wild blueberries you’ll find scattered along the path!
If you are up for a longer day of hiking, Max Patch is actually on the Appalachian Trail, so you can hike for days, weeks, or months...! All the way to Maine, if you please. If you plan on returning to Little Bird Cabins in the evening, reign your adventuresome self in and meander for only a few hours through high fields, ridge-line forests, and alongside mountain streams.
On top of the world!
Chloe at the Laurel River Trail
Laurel River Trail
Trail Length: 3.6 miles one way (but less than half a mile to the water and swimming!)
Distance from Cabins: 7 minute drive
This beautiful and popular hike follows the Laurel River all the way down to where it meets the French Broad. The further you go, the better it gets! This is a very accessible hike for those who don't do much hiking but want to see Appalachia.
Just five or ten minutes down the path is a great spot for all ages to take a dip. There are some sandy beaches for those who enjoy building sand castles, and some rocky beaches for those who prefer building rock towers! The adventure continues for those who wish to hike further…all the way to the French Broad River. We have taken our kids here since about the day they were born!
Lover's Leap Loop Trail
Lover's Leap Trail
Trail Length: 1.8 mile loop
Distance from Cabins: 5 minute drive
This popular hike follows the French Broad River until it veers up somewhat steeply to high, rocky outcrops with wonderful views of the river and the town of Hot Springs. Beautiful at sunset!
We love this hike and we have taken our young kids, but we do caution parents of children under the age of 4 or 5. This hike is steep and has dangerous fall potentials, so be prepared to be on high alert!
It takes about 45 minutes to reach the great view, depending on your hiking speed.
Looking up the creek from our favorite beach and swim spot!
Spring Creek Nature Trail
Trail Length: 1.6 mile loop
Distance from cabins: 7 minutes
This lightly traveled loop trail travels down through forest and follows Spring Creek for a little over 0.5 miles before heading back up. It offers fantastic water play opportunities for children and adults alike, and we find edible Chantrelle and Lactarius mushrooms here every year as we hike the forested paths! The parking is usually just outside of the campground itself, as the gate is usually closed, and the approach to the trail begins by meandering on foot down through Rocky Bluff Campgrounds to one of two marked trail entrances (it is a loop that enters and exits at two nearby points in the campgrounds). Our favorite swim spot is easy to find. About half way through the hike, the trail will lead you next to a tall dripping rock face with a small “cave” underneath, just big enough to shelter one or two. At this point, turn away from the cave and toward the creek and find our favorite little magical cove! A sandy beach and a calm pool of water wait underneath an arching ceiling of rhododendron, just perfect for children! A peninsula of large rocks lead from the shoreline and part way across Spring Creek for the sure-footed and adventurous. Follow the water down and find a sunny, rocky shoreline along the tumbling creek. Something for everyone!