Max Patch to the French Broad River

May 2-4, 2025

3 days/2 Nights on the Appalachian Trail

$395 per person

$595 with Gear Rental

Includes all meals on the trail, spiritual direction each day, shuttle service between trailheads, and a 1 hour hot tub treatment in Hot Springs, NC post-hike!

This hike is rated MODERATE to STRENUOUS

Take 6 months to pay! Just zip us an email below and we’ll send you a link to divide your adventure cost into 6 equal monthly payments!

DESCRIPTION:

This is a 3-day, 2-night wilderness backpacking adventure on the Appalachian Trail. We’ll start at one of the most iconic balds on the AT, Max Patch, and travel North for 3 days summiting Walnut Mountain and Bluff Mountains before we descend to the French Broad River. Your registration includes a guided 3-day, 2-night hike, all your meals on the trail, spiritual direction each day , shuttle service between trailheads, and a 1 hour hot tub treatment in Hot Springs, NC following our hike!

 DAILY ITINERARY

Friday Morning: You will need to make your travel plans to arrive in Hot Springs, NC around 12:00 noon. (EST) We’ll park in the AT hikers parking area at the South end of the city, then take a shuttle back to our trailhead. The closest major airport is Asheville, NC.

DAY ONE: Max Patch to Roaring Fork (5 miles)

We begin the Appalachian Trail at the Max Patch Mountain Trailhead.  We’ll hike up and over Max Patch (4629 ft.) a beautiful bald, and then hike along a ridgeline, finally descending into Roaring Fork (3530 ft.) where we’ll make camp.

DAY TWO: Roaring Fork to Three Springs (8 miles)
We hike through a small clearing at Lemon Gap (3550 ft.), then up  Walnut Mountain (4280 ft.), followed by Bluff Mountain, the highest point of our pilgrimage at 4,686 ft!  We then descend into a secluded camp at Three Springs complete with an old tobacco barn and hunter’s cabin.

DAY THREE: Three Springs to Hot Springs (7 miles)
We’ll hike through Garenflo Gap, over Long Mountain and Lamb’s Knob, then past the Deer Park Mountain shelter. (2,330 ft.) Then we’ll begin a long descent past Lover’s Leap and finally to the beautiful French Broad River. We’ll hike into Hot Springs, NC for a well-deserved 1-hour treatment in the natural hot springs! Afterwards, we’ll change clothes and head over to the local pub to enjoy some excellent food and drink! Then we’ll load up and head for home with friendships and memories for a lifetime!

No gear, no problem! You can rent all of your backpacking equipment from us for just $200 per person. Just look for the registration “with  Rental Gear” and click “Add to Cart.” We’ll get you set up with all the essential gear you need for backpacking.