Celebrate the reopening of Hot Springs after Hurricane Helene with a 7-mile hike on the Appalachian Trail from Garenflo Gap into downtown Hot Springs. The hike is part of the two-day -- May 2-3 -- Town & Trail Festival sponsored by ReBuild Hot Springs.
From Garenflo Gap, the AT runs downhill into Hot Springs – more or less. For while you may start at nearly 2,500 feet and end in Hot Springs at 1,400 feet, there’s nearly 1,000 feet of vertical gain along the way. But the climbs are worth it, taking you through maturing Southern Appalachian woods. At the 3-mile mark we will take a break at the Deer Park Shelter, before the final 4-mile, mostly downhill finish in downtown Hot Springs.
This hike is lead by Asheville-based Blue Ridge Hiking Co., which also operates a bunkhouse in Hot Springs (where we'll meet to catch the shuttle to Garenflow Gap). Hometown Strong in the NC Department of Natural and Cultural Resources is assisting with the hike.
There is a $50 fee for this hike, all of which will be donated to ReBuild Hot Springs, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit focused on assisting the residents, workers, and businesses of Hot Springs following the devastation left in the wake of Helene. In addition, there will be a $10 fee to cover the cost of the shuttle and Forest Service fees incurred by Blue Ridge Hiking Co., which is paying the hike leaders for this hike. The $10 fee is payable at the shuttle pickup.
Sign up here, on Eventbrite, and you will receive pertinent updates on the hike, including a weather update within two days of the hike and recommendations for what to wear and bring. To make your donation and secure your place on the hike, go here. Under “Donate to RHSA,” click “$50,” and under “Would you like to send a message with your donation?”, write “for Blue Ridge Hiking Co.’s Garenflo Gap AT outing.”
This hike is limited to the first 8 hikers to sign up through ReBuild Hot Springs.
Learn more about the Town & Trail Festival here.
