Lovers Leap Loop Trail

Loved the hike, great views

Had a really fun time with my 9 year old and my dog here. Climbing to the lookout point gave us a sense of accomplishment.

Hard to find, not marked with orange blazes. Started on AT and took Lover’s Leap Loop back to parking lot. Amazing views and cool rocky outcroppings.

nice trail. lot of switchbacks going up. Just past the sign for Lover's Leap #308 (going up), there is a huge nest of yellowjackets on the trail. we got stung really bad, so be careful!

We actually went up twice. We took the AT entrance way. Beautiful hike up. The backside is like a jungle and ends up at the Silvermine trailhead. We walked through the parking lit and down the ‘Deliverance’ road and up again the AT side and this time took the AT all the way up along the ridge until the Push Loop trail and backside of the mountain - the tropical jungle. No views. Just a creek and lots of leaves. We got lost somehow and ended up at a campground and just hiked through until we got to the parking lot. Them hiked back to Hot Springs for an ice-cold brew. We did about 10 miles total.

We went on this trail in the fall and the view was amazing at the top! The trail was a little untended to, however fairly easy to navigate. I will be doing this hike again soon!

Not clearly marked and/or directed. Lead me on steep climb and down other side of mountain to diff trailhead for Pump Gap Trail. Then can't find Pump Gap Trail on this app....rendering this app useless for this!

Steep!! But beautiful views

These were the best views out of any hike we have ever done in hot springs. You are able to overlook the entire town from one of the lookouts. It was incredible! We will definitely be doing this one again.

Beautiful views would definitely do it again. But the directions on the sign in hot springs are the worst. The left at the "T-intersection" is not a T at all (it's more of a Y? Looks like you're turning into a neighborhood then turns to gravel where you park), and there's no road sign saying silvermine rd. Matter of fact there wasn't a single road sign we were told to look for. Or a brown trailhead sign. It was super frustrating especially not having cell service to map it. Maybe I'm spoiled living in TN where everything is so well marked. But by the time we found the trail head we just wanted to get the hike over with to get back for lunch so we rushed through a lot :/ the visitors center didn't open until 10, which is where we were going to stop for directions and suggestions on hikes but didn't want to get our day started that late in the heat.

Love this trail! Awesome views of the French Broad and Hot Springs. Very few people on it when I went but it would only take a few more for it to be crowded and views be blocked, so I'd suggest hitting the trail early if you hate crowds like I do. ;)

Hiked it about a month ago with our two Siberian Huskies. Didn't find it to be as hard as the rating especially since one of our dogs (10 years old and multiple leg surgeries) had no problem with climb. Gorgeous views at the top.

Hiked this backwards the first time, coming up counter-clockwise, then taking the AT to the Pump Gap Loop back to Silvermine Rd, then up Lover's Leap clockwise. Lover's Leap is not long enough to qualify as hard at all. It is steep, but takes only 15-20 minutes to climb. Trail was very enjoyable though, with lovely overlooks of Hot Springs and the French Broad. Combined with other trails in the area, it made for a fulfilling day hike.

Beautiful views. Moderate trail

Fun to hike and beautiful at the top definitely worth hiking

I have been here twenty years ago and I am back with my kids. I am glad to know that it has not changed. It is one of the most relaxing places I have ever been.

This trail is a Gem located in Hot Springs, NC. We were thoroughly entertained by the constant climb and nice views of the french broad river. My seven year old was able to climb this trail so I'm surprised at the "Hard" difficulty rating. I give this trail a moderate difficulty rating, but that is not to say you won't get a workout. You will definitely need to bring water, but this trail will not let you down (no pun intended).

This was a WONDERFUL trail. Great views and easy to find. Definitely difficult but worth it for the views. We enjoyed a little picnic lunch at the top of the trail!

I'm visiting from the flatland of Florida...this trail kicked my ass, but was so worth it! I hiked it with a local, who was practically jogging up the thing. I had to take a break every 10 steps during the steepest sections. Loved it! Definitely doing the loop again before my vacation ends.

Bring water...beautiful hike.

nice views several spot to view from. no one spot with overlook to begin hike follow road u park on then go past restrooms and small camp ground. you will see slate stairs on you right that is the begining on tral. thereis no marking.

Difficult ascent, particularly if you start by crossing the bridge as opposed to starting down the paved road. Views are totally worth it and it's an amazing workout. Loved every minute of it!

Moderately difficult trail with great view of river from apex. Can take off on the AT if you want a longer trail. Recommend good boots.

Steep climb but worth it for the nice view.

My family and I hiked the trail in early January. It was an easy hike with the kids. Up and back down in about an hour and a half. Makes for a great quick hike. Good payoff views and beautiful along the French Broad. Hot Springs is a cool town as well to hang out.

We camped at Hot Springs campground and hiked across bridge over French Broad river and walked the App Trail( lots of thru-hikers in spring ) up to lovers leap, this short trail to top has lots of switchbacks and washouts which are possibly treacherous, but rewarded with beautiful views of town and river below.

As far as a short hike, outside of Asheville goes, this is beautiful!! The views are amazing of the French Broad. We did have some of our children who are 3 and 8 and it was a bit perilous for them as far as steep steep drop off. Our two dogs loved it, especially with the river!! Beautiful!!!

I hiked this trail Feb. 2,2013. While there was a little snow, it was still accessible. Max Patch was not.

I enjoyed this trail with the changing of the leaves and the cooler temperatures. Wonderful place to spend Halloween. Lovers leap has some beautiful views.

This 1.6 section intersect with some other trail options which we took & with the Appalachian trail itself. Nice overview of the small town from an overlook,not very much space there when crowded. A more sweeping view further up the stairs at incline but a precarious perch. Mostly inclined from the direction we took coming up silver mine trail first,along the river side is a leveled out walk, so reverse of our route would be less challenging (mostly downhill). Some very narrow spots on the trail and careful footing needed. Would be slippery when wet and risky in dimming light.