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 Reporter |
Summary: This 10 mile loop begins on the east side of Hot Springs, along side the French Broad River. The first 1/2 mile is a flat easy hike along the river. The next two miles are a rather steep rise of 1200 feet. The trail is rocky and narrow in places and caution should be the rule. This part of the trail reminds me of trail conditions similar in the Rockies. There are nice views of the French Broad and Hot Springs during the ascent. At the top of the elevation gain is a good area for camping. The rapids of the river can be heard for the first 3 miles. The next 4 miles through Tanyard Gap and the intersection of Roundtop Ridge are tree covered, with a number of Rododendrun Tunnels to go through. Just before Tanyard, are some very nice open areas for wildlife viewing. At Roundtop Ridge the trail descends downhill for almost 4 miles.The trail ends on the river front road. Stunning views of the surrounding mtn's can be seen by taking a side trip to the Rich Mtn Fire Tower. Trailhead: Take Hwy25/70 west out of Asheville, NC. Drive about 30 miles and just before the bridge going into Hot Springs, go right and follow the road back under the bridge. There is a parking area and signs for the Appalachian Trail are clearly visible. (Lat:35.53 Lon:-82.49) Trail Guides for Appalachian Trail - North of Hot Springs, NC: North Carolina Hiking Trails by Allen de Hart (Appalachian Mountain Club Books) Hiking Trails in the Hot Springs Area by Appalachian Ranger District (Appalachian Ranger District) Best Seasons: Fall, Spring, Summer, User Groups: Hikers, Dogs, Ranger Contact: Appalachian/French Broad Ranger District, 828-622-3202 Localhikes Reporter: This hike was submitted by Tom Duchac, who has posted 26 other hikes on this site Trail Reviews Submit your own review 
Reviewed by Missi on 6/13/2005 Great hike. Just some clarifications...while most of the uphill is in that first few miles, there's a fairly tough climb after the you cross the highway, probably about 600 ft. Also, the Roundtop Ridge trail is pretty overgrown in places, so be prepared for thorns and low trail visibility.
Reviewed by M.o. on 5/9/2005 Yes, this is a good hike. Starts off kinda tough (all uphill) but last half is easy going. wasn't too crowded either. when you get to the open meadows at Tanyard there is a map where you can check your bearings. 
Reviewed by Ashley on 3/20/2005 Absolutely awesome!!!!!!!! Notice: Traveling in the backcountry can be hazardous. You are responsible for informing yourself about these hazards and taking necessary precautions. Information on this web site comes from volunteer reporters and may contain errors or omissions. A current guidebook and proper equipment are essential for safe enjoyment of the hikes posted on this site. Keys: North Carolina Hiking, North Carolina Trails, North Carolina Hikes, Madison County Hiking, Madison County Trails, Madison County Hikes | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||