Quick Details
Transportation and Meeting place: Transportation is provided from the meeting place at a free public parking lot at 162 Craven St, Asheville, NC 28806. This is called the “Emma Rd and Hazel Mill Public Parking lot.” (Guests may drive and park, or take a taxi/Uber/Lyft to the meeting location). You will find your guide and tour vehicle in this spot near the bridge (see picture below). You will be riding in one of our Ford Expedition SUVs. We do our best to give you a comfortable riding experience, so you can be hands-free and have the opportunity to take in all the sights, while being somewhat limited in vehicle size permitted on the forest roads. Our clean, well-maintained vehicles have varying seat heights and leg room, and are always climate-controlled!
Tour time: Meet your guide and fellow hikers at the start time available on the calendar, or listed in your confirmation e-mail. Start times for this tour vary seasonally, but are always in the early afternoon! Tours last about 4 hours long.
Difficulty: Easy to moderate forest and summit walks, around 2 miles total. Expect some uneven terrain and slight trail inclines.
Required footwear: Sturdy tennis shoes or hiking boots, rubber outsoles (recommended).
Recommended clothing: Rainwear (either rain jacket or poncho); multiple layers (for windy days and higher elevation).
Recommended personal items: Water and snacks, Ziploc or dry bag (to protect items, such as small electronics, from rain), a bag to dispose of any potential litter items (such as food wrappers).
What’s provided: Hiking poles, poncho in case of light rain, and breathtaking summit views (weather-permitting)!
Winter tours note: The Blue Ridge Parkway is closed with inclement weather in winter months (usually late-Nov to early-March). During these times, we may modify the tour location to another easy-to-moderate summit hike.
This is a public group tour and you will be with other parties, for a maximum of 5 people. For an experience with just your party, check out our Private Tours.
Tips: Never required but always appreciated!
See below for FULL tour description, and more important information!
A quick drive from Downtown Asheville, this afternoon tour does double duty, offering both beautiful Parkway scenery from our tour vehicle (transportation included) AND the outstanding reward of summit views you will feel you have “earned” after a true moderate Blue Ridge Mountain hike! Your guide will identify the many landmarks visible throughout the journey, and offer their expert interpretation of the flora, fauna, and history of the Southern Appalachian range.
You will begin your morning near Asheville’s River Arts District where you will meet your guide and get to know your fellow hikers. Meet at the sizable free Public Parking lot meeting place about ten minutes before your meeting time, near the bridge (see photo below) where your guide will further learn about your group’s hiking preferences and provide an overview of your adventure to come! Then climb on in to one of our clean and comfortable tour vehicles (seating 6-9 guests, more information on transportation above), and we’re off!
The excursion begins as you hop into our tour vehicle and make your way out of town and onto the magnificent Blue Ridge Parkway. You will spend about 3 hours exploring our wilderness, enjoying BIG views, beautiful wildflowers (different by the season!), and learning about the how, the where, and the why to hike in the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Your guide will stop throughout the total distance of around 2 miles to discuss the edible and medicinal properties of unique trees and wildflowers along the way! For less experienced hikers, your guide will be sure to provide you with tips for navigating the roots, rocks, and mud that give our Southern Appalachian rainforest its character.
Your guide will discuss important scenic features for you to notice on the way, including historic sites as well as seasonal highlights — such as spring wildflowers, Rhododendrons in bloom, autumn leaves, or frozen springs. On the Blue Ridge Parkway, enjoy wide-open vistas — with endless views of mountain peaks and fertile valleys.
Since the Blue Ridge Parkway is closed with inclement weather in winter months (usually late-Nov to early-March), we may modify the tour location.
Feel free to reach out to us with any questions you have about the afternoon Blue Ridge Parkway tour, but please note that you will receive an email confirmation with meeting times and locations and the answers to any additional questions you may have.
Rain/ice/snow policy: Blue Ridge Mountain views are variable and ARE weather- & cloud coverage-dependent. In case of heavy rain or inclement weather, full refunds are provided.