Green Knob Trail-Julian Price Park-Blue Ridge Parkway-Milepost 295.9
Distance: 2 miles
Duration: 1 hour
- Hiking Shoes and Water bottle
- Intermediate hike for families with small kids
Lover’s Leap Trail Hike located in Hot Springs, NC is part of the Appalachian Trail and a 1.6 mile loop. From the Silvermine Trailhead walk down the road and get on the Appalachian Trail (white blazes) along the French Broad River. After about 0.5 mile the trail climbs steeply to Lover’s Leap ridge. When this trail reaches the ridge, there are rock outcrops with numerous overlooks.Panoramic views of the French Broad River and town of Hot Springs make this trail one of the best in Madison County. Return on the Lover’s Leap Trail (blue blazes) and descend to the trailhead.
The old legend says a beautiful Cherokee maid was deeply in love when another Indian brave challenged her lover for her hand. They fought and her lover died in the fight. In total heartbreak (and rather than marry the victor) she climbed to the rocky ledge that overhangs the French Broad River and jumped to her death; thus the name “Lover’s Leap.”
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Trail head: West Jefferson, North Carolina
Distance: 1.7 miles
Duration: 1 hour
Skill Level: Easy/Moderate Hiking Trails
Overview:
Mount Jefferson State Park Hiking Trails is located in West Jefferson North Carolina. The trail takes you from the parking lot where you can have a picnic up to the top of the ridge where the cell tower is and along certain outcroppings of rock where the views are picture perfect and worth a snapshot with the iPhone or camera. The the trail starts to follow its way back down the back side of the ridge and turning around headed back to the parking lot but at a lower elevation. It finally meets up with the main trail you started on going up tot the top of the ridge. This is definitely a great hike during a clear summer day or to see vast fall colors from the surrounding mountains.
Mount Jefferson State Park trail Map
Photo Gallery
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