Lover's Leap Hiking Trail — Attraction in Hot Springs

The view of hot springs was great but In hindsight, I messed up a lot out there. (Especiallly if you ask the park service or hot springs pd) I parked down along the river in the N.O.C. lot and began my adventure. You know even when I was younger I don't think I had enough fitness to do this entire trail. I located the trail easy enough and started leaping along it. A 50 something couple from Tennessee walked by me as I panted to catch my breath. They regarded me strangely with looks that seemed to say" what the hell are you doing?" And I them. After a few more times of various groups of folks and through hikers all regarding me in this same way as I hopped forward or rested puffing and doubled over for air from my efforts, it gradually dawned on me that it isn't a requirement to leap or even hop this trail. This was a relief as my quads were shot, my knees a little achy, my hair askew and I was VERY sweaty despite the pleasant 60 degree spring weather. Armed with this new outlook I then determined that one walks the trail at will BUT, upon encountering some lovers, you are then obligated to leap onto them. Oftentimes it was very clear when people were lovers but sometimes, it was unclear and it was important for me to be sure before getting airborne so I found it best to scream out " have you defined your relationship?" Then upon getting my answer, I'd pounce (or not depending). Of course after getting about a mile and a half into my journey. The various authorities had been informed as to my presence, my behavior, and the crop top, Speedo and gator skin boots that I was wearing. I was escorted the short remaining distance on the silvermine trail in cuffs despite my repeated claims that I always made sure to leap on them gently and that no matter what I do, a few scrapes, superficial bruises and the occasional dislocated finger will arise from a 230 pound man leaping on you. Furthermore I pointed out I never leaped at anybody towards the various ledges and overlooks and always tried to tackle gently and uphill. All this to no avail. I personally have been banned from lovers leap trail and a bunch...

Lovers Leap.

Man... This hike is more work and build up yet less eventful than a M. Night Shyamalan movie. Cross the river, make a left after the bridge, another left that takes you down towards the water and you find yourself entering a 3rd world country. You pass about 10 "houses" on this short and narrow road and park in a mud lot at the start of the trail. You better stretch because this trail is straight up! The stair master of Sunday hikes. This poorly labeled trail steeply scales with twists and turns for what seems to be an eternity until you get to a crossroads. That's the Lovers Leap intersection. You'll miss it if you don't investigate a bit. You'll walk out to the rock face and look over the bland "scenic view" of Lovers Leap and think.... nah... this ain't it. The pictures online are way more grand. You'll foolishly continue up the mountain for a few miles thinking you'll come to this beautiful precipice, but no... you passed it. You walked out on it, looked around and could not believe the amount of work it took to just get there... and then continued up looking for the real Leaping point.

Disappointment and washout crosses your mind as your knees crick and crack down the trail to your car, which you hope is still there.

I'm giving this a 3 star rating only because the gas station before I got there had a 2 for 1 deal on Slim Jims that I...

This was our first experience hiking the Appalachian Trail.

We only did 2 miles which means we only have a bit over 2,000 more to go and we’re done.

Within the first few minutes of our hike we bumped into a guy that said there were a few bear cubs up the trail which means mom isn’t far behind.

Now, I know what you’re probably thinking. I don’t have to outrun the bear. I just have to be able to outrun my wife.

However, my wife is a marathon runner.

So, this isn’t going to end well for me.

The first half of our hike was spent with my wife looking around for the bear cubs so she could give them a big hug and then watch as their mom eats her husband.

That left me with no other choice but to yell “there she is” every few minutes so I could keep her on her toes.

She didn’t appreciate that as much as you might think as you can tell by the video.

Anyway, we made it back alive (hence the 5 star review…had I gotten eaten by a bear I would likely have to deduct a star) and had...