The Appalachian Trail makes Hot Springs a small-town outdoor playground in North Carolina. Remarkably — it is the only town in the state where the AT travels directly through town. One way to enjoy this experience is by hiking the section of the Appalachian Trail that leads from Garenflo Gap to the town of Hot Springs. The route is fairly wooded, yet there are nice vistas along the way. But for some, they have already come a long way, making this small town a welcome relief for a “zero” day.

Garenflo Gap to Hot Springs is about a 6.5-mile point-to-point trail.
Appalachian National Scenic Trailhead Parking, Hot Springs, NC 28743, USA
Ricky Bobby/TripAdvisor
Access is at the Appalachian National Scenic Trailhead Parking lot in Hot Springs, or you can start from town and make your own loop.
Depending on your skill level, this is graded a moderately-challenging route.
Appalachian National Scenic Trailhead Parking, Hot Springs, NC 28743, USA
James Berry/AllTrails
Add you'll find the pretty trail is well-maintained and nicely marked.
The rustic AT shelter at Deer Park Mountain is a nice snacking place with a picnic table.
Molly Butcher/AllTrails
Catch a glimpse of Hot Springs below.
Gregg Saur/AllTrails

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And that's not the only view you'll see.
Annie Harrison/AllTrails
Descending on the town brings a welcome relief for those who have come a long way on the Appalachian Trail.
The Hostel at Laughing Heart Lodge/Facebook
And for the residents here, what a gift to have these mountains as a place to run around and explore.
The trail through town is marked with granite Appalachian Trail markers embedded in the sidewalk.
edith whitfield/AllTrails
Some weary travelers are putting their feet on concrete for the first time in a while.
Welcomed guests come through daily to the tune of more than 2,000 annually, as the thru-hikers head north to Maine.
edith whitfield/AllTrails
Aren't we lucky to live in such an extraordinary natural wonder?

Watch this video for some live-action of hikers coming into Hot Springs.

For more about this small-town outdoor playground in North Carolina, visit the Hot Springs Area web page of the U.S. Forest Service.

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Hot Springs, NC 28743, USA