Directions

 

  • Heading out of downtown Hot Springs towards Marshall on Hwy 25/70, you will cross the bridge over the river, and then immediately take a left onto Silvermine Rd. If you are coming on 25/70 from Asheville, come down over the mountain and take a right at Silvermine Rd just before the bridge.

  • Turn right onto River Road, traveling past Berry Wills Road (and a brick church) on the right.

  • As the road begins to curve right, look for two large red barns on the left; this our farm. Pull in and look for llamas!

 

Silvermine Trail: Silvermine Trailhead GPS Link

 

  • Heading away from downtown Hot Springs towards Marshall/Asheville on Hwy 25/70: cross the bridge over the river, and then immediately take a left onto River Rd. If you are coming on 25/70 from Asheville: come down over the mountain and take a right at River Rd immediately before the big bridge into Hot Springs.

  • After the turn onto River Rd, take a LEFT to turn onto Silvermine Rd (guests have missed this turn before).

  • Drive under the bridge, pass the NOC French Broad River put-in/parking lot on the right, look for a brown sign ahead that says, "Silvermine Trail ->", pass the burned down trailer, and go all the way to the end of the road where you will arrive in the gravel parking lot/trailhead.

  • Note: If you miss the turn onto Silvermine Rd and start going down further down River Road (parallel to the river), you have missed your turn! Turn around at the Baptist Church parking lot and try again staying straight onto Silvermine Rd! This should take you less than 4 minutes if you're coming from downtown Hot Springs.

 

Mill Ridge Trail: Mill Ridge Trailhead GPS Link

 

  • From Hot Springs, NC, head northeast on US-25 S/US-70 E/Bridge St toward Meadow Ln

  • Continue to follow US-25 S/US-70 E for 3.2 mi

  • Turn left toward Lookout Mountain Rd

  • Turn left onto Lookout Mountain Rd and drive across bridge

  • Lookout Mountain Rd turns left and becomes Mill Ridge Rd

  • Destination will be on the left, look for signs for trailhead/parking.

What to bring:

  • Dress appropriately, in clothes you won’t mind getting a little dirt or llama fiber on, with an emphasis on comfortable footwear and, if precipitation is even slightly predicted in the forecast, a good rain jacket. We may encounter poison ivy, thorny brambles, or mosquitoes—therefore, long pants are suggested, but many guests choose to wear shorts.

  • One large (32oz) water bottle per person, personal beverages and/or snacks, and any other necessary items, such as medications or trekking poles. A camera for photographs, bug spray/sunblock, chap-stick, sunglasses, and a wide-brimmed hat as desired (optional). Please, for your safety, tell us in advance of any relevant health condition and/or medication you may take. I do bring a full first aid kit on every hike and I am certified in wilderness first aid and CPR.

  • We do NOT provide personal gear or equipment, food or beverages. Please be sure to bring whatever you think you might need to feel safe and comfortable—you can always leave it in the car at the trailhead if you change your mind.