Venus Bath from Winter Clove Inn

This half mile (1 mile round trip) relatively easy hike begins in the parking lot near Winter Clove Inn's outdoor swimming pool, along the way it crosses a covered bridge and Artist Falls before following the Winter Clove Brook past several small cascading waterfalls and pools and arriving at Venus Bath, a natural bath tub shaped outcropping in the stream’s bed rock caused by centuries of erosion. Before hiking inform the front desk you are using the trails, the trail is marked with varnished wood signs and red paint however some blue paint from old markers may also be visible. The trail begins in the small parking lot near the Oaks Lodge and outdoor pool, follow the trail sign into the woods and up a small hill. At the top of the hill you will be in a stand of pines and see a railing leading down to the covered bridge. Go across the covered bridge and you will come to an intersection where you will take a right to head away from the creek. A short distance after the bridge you will come to a 4-way intersection where you will take a left and the trail will become moss and grass covered for a short distance.You will come to another intersection with a bridge on the left, this leads back to Winter Clove and can be used as an alternative route on the way back. For now continue straight so the creek remains on your left. As you continue along the trail parts are washed away from erosion so please use caution. You will also notice several fallen trees from large storms. After a short distance a trail will enter from the right which leads back to the Lover’s Loop trail. You will continue straight at this point. As you proceed you will notice the creek begins to have small cascading waterfalls and pools, which are often home to trout. After a short distance you will arrive at Venus Bath on your left. It is marked by a sign on a tree and there is a large half buried rock in the middle of the trail. This is the end of the trail, you will backtrack to return to Winter Clove.