The temperatures are warming up, and spring will soon be arriving – a combination perfect for hiking near Hot Springs, Arkansas! There are so many hiking options in our area, we thought we’d share a few of our favorites with you:
- Falls Branch Trail – Lake Catherine State Park: This 2-mile trail starts uphill and leads to a seasonal scenic waterfall (12-15 feet). In the summertime, many hikers stop for a dip in the swimming hole at the base of the waterfall! The trail then follows the edge of Lake Catherine, before ending with a walk across a swinging bridge.up to the Hot Springs Mountain Tower, the thought of hiking to the top seems imposing. But once you get started, it’s a fairly easy trail, as long as you’re OK with a 12% grade! Peak Trail starts from the Grand Promenade behind the bathhouses, and climbs 400 feet in elevation (.6 mile) to the observation tower. There are several trails that intersect with this one if you prefer to make a longer hike. Once at the top, be sure to visit the tower to appreciate the beautiful views from high above Hot Springs Mountain. There is also a small gazebo near the tower with a nice view of the eastern side of town. On the way back down, there are nice glimpses of Hot Springs and Central Avenue as you descend.
- Caddo Bend Trail – Lake Ouachita State Park: This 4-mile loop trail can be a bit strenuous, but it’s a favorite of our guests! You’ll see lots of lake views, including an observation deck at the end of the peninsula, wildflowers in season, and perhaps some wildlife. Lake Ouachita State Park also offers scenic lake tours by boat, so try to plan your hike around one of these if you can!
- Garvan Woodland Gardens – Hot Springs: While this woodland botanical garden hike may not get your heart rate up due to all the stops you’ll be making to appreciate the plants and flowers in bloom, there are 4.5 miles of trails within this Lake Hamilton peninsula. You’ll stroll through the Garden of the Pine Wind, the Wildflower Overlook, cross the Floating Cloud Bridge, and maybe even climb some boulders in the Children’s Adventure Garden (and be sure to check out the Tree House)! Don’t forget to stop at Anthony Chapel for a bit of tranquility before you leave.
- Point Cedar Mine Trail – Tiffany’s Bed and Breakfast: a short walk back in our woods will lead you to a hill with the remains of this copper, lead and silver mine. In the early 1900’s, this mine was quite an operation. The building burned down in 1970, but the concrete piers still remain on the hillside above a burbling creek. There are several other old logging paths throughout our woods that you can explore during your stay.
Our convenient location near the best hiking trails in the Hot Springs area is just one of the reasons to stay at Tiffany’s Bed and Breakfast. We’ll start you off with a hearty homemade breakfast at Tiffany’s to keep you fueled during your hike – or order a breakfast to go if you want to get an early start on the trails. When you return from hiking, you can relax on our full-length front porch or roast some S’mores at our fire pit. The jetted bathtubs in The Ouachita and The Hamilton will soothe your sore muscles and get you ready for a peaceful night’s sleep in our amazingly comfortable beds.
Reserve your room at Tiffany’s Bed and Breakfast today, and don’t forget to select your special or package during the booking process! Our “Unplug and Unwind” package includes 2 tickets to Garvan Woodland Gardens, along with a S’Mores kit to enjoy at the fire pit. Our “Massage Package” with a couples massage and dinner voucher will be the perfect ending to a hiking vacation in Hot Springs, Arkansas!