FAQ — Asheville Hiking Questions

If you see rain in the forecast, do not worry, since our early morning start almost always avoids afternoon rains. We are happy to provide ponchos, but please wear appropriate footwear for rain (we do not recommend permeable or white shoes).

Mountain weather can change quickly; we make some weather-related decisions (lightning, thunder, heavy rain) the morning of the tour and your guide will notify you in case the tour is cancelled. Even during light rain, our guests have a great time since the forest canopy breaks the rainfall, and the precipitation makes waterfalls extra stunning! In case of heavy rain the morning of the tour, guests can decide if they’d still like to join the tour, otherwise, we can provide a full refund.

Bring your camera, sturdy walking shoes with good traction, a layer to protect from precipitation and cool temperatures. Our trails are technically in a deciduous “rainforest”; we can enc0unter wet trail conditions. Dress in layers, including a light jacket or heavier coat in cooler months— temperatures drop 8° F traveling up the Blue Ridge Parkway. Pack your own water and snacks (or purchase before/during your tour). A hat, sunscreen, and insect repellant are not usually necessary, being under the forest canopy for much of the tour. For those interested in swimming on a Private Tour, bring your swimsuit and towel!

We provide hiking poles and ponchos (in case of rain).

If necessary, guests should bring their own EpiPen or other personal items that naturalist guides cannot provide.

If you have a half day to spend with us and need an EASY tour option, we recommend the Waterfalls and Blue Ridge Parkway Tour, so you can capture the highlights of western North Carolina, including the iconic Blue Ridge Parkway, historic sites, popular and more hidden waterfalls. For those with just a few hours available, and looking for a MODERATE hike, we recommend the Moderate Nature and Waterfall Hike, featuring a gorgeous riverside trail with 2 waterfalls.

Give us a call – we are happy to book single guests over the phone. If you are flexible with the date for your tour, we can definitely make it happen!

Both the Moderate Nature and Waterfall Hike (2.5 miles round-trip) and Waterfalls and Blue Ridge Parkway Tour (distance flexible, about 2-3 miles round-trip) include trails rated as easy to moderate. There are moderate inclines on both tours, with some uneven footing and sometimes slippery surfaces requiring sturdy shoes with good traction. For Private Tours, we can customize the hiking length and difficulty. We can accommodate hikes up to 8 miles long in a single day.

We’ve spent years tweaking the best combination of panoramic views and waterfalls so that your time spent on this tour is worth every moment, visiting the most scenic sites in Pisgah National Forest in only a half-day! We are local naturalists and expert storytellers DRIVING YOU AROUND, so that you can take in the views, stress-free. Also, most trails do not have cell phone reception, so we find that guests are happy they hired a guide to show them the top sites without any hassle or safety issues when in the forests.

This tour gets rave TripAdvisor reviews for delivering a professional quality experience over a short hike. In just 2 hours, you experience a gorgeous trail with an experienced naturalist, awesome storytelling and 2 stunning waterfalls! Our insights on nature and history truly bring the forests to life.

Private Tours are fully customizable, including picnic options, hiking length/difficulty, and overall tour duration. We guide a range of private experiences, from Blue Ridge Parkway touring to 8-mile Appalachian Trail hikes. We’ve guest groups ranged from a couple wildlife photographers up to 50 guests visiting Asheville for a corporate retreat! We recommend that families with kids or groups of friends book a Private Tour, to best cater to a range of hiking abilities and incorporate unique interests/itineraries. Transportation for groups up to 6 included with downtown Asheville pick-up.

Yes! You can take Uber/Lyft to meet your guide before the Waterfalls and Blue Ridge Parkway Tour at our meeting place near downtown Asheville. However, for the Moderate Nature and Waterfall Hike, you meet your guide near the hiking destination at the Old Fort Ride House, and follow the guide in your own vehicle 7 miles to the trailhead. You have to make sure your driver does not drop you off at the Ride House coffee shop, but takes you with the group to the trailhead and can provide pick-up.

Leashed and well-behaved dogs are welcome on all tours, but are not recommended for the Moderate Nature and Waterfalls Hike, since this trail can be more technical. Please notify us beforehand if you plan to bring a dog on the Waterfalls and Blue Ridge Parkway tour.

Absolutely! Our Private Tours are specifically designed per booking to suit the abilities of all the members of your group. We can arrange Private Tours with little to no hiking, yet captivating storytelling and breath-taking sights. For an alternative Private Tour, we can add a second guide if some members of your party desire slightly different experiences. Several of the best destinations on our Private Tours are easily accessible from the roadside!

Tour groups are small and intimate by design with up to 8 or 10 guests (and often 4 or 6 guests). Private Tours will accommodate only the booking party. For larger groups and private tours, up to 50 guests, we can provide multiple guides to lead smaller sub-groups, keeping the experience personal and intimate.

Yes! We would be thrilled to design a special, custom excursion for your group. Our tours offer unique experiential learning opportunities in Appalachian forests. We find that students of all ages feel relaxed and free in nature, which promotes communication, bonding, and fun learning!

Cell phone reception is scarce in the forested areas we visit on our tours. Our meeting places before and after the tour do have cell phone service.

The Moderate Nature and Waterfall Hike requires a short drive to the trailhead to begin your tour (25 to 30 min from downtown Asheville). If you prefer a longer tour, we are able to arrange a Private Tour with multiple hikes from a single trailhead or multiple that are in close driving proximity. The Waterfalls and Blue Ridge Parkway Tour requires driving between locations, some on the elevated Blue Ridge Parkway, to find the “hidden gems” featured in this longer tour.

Yes, please call us to receive your 10% military discount.

We provide a discount for one child (14 and under) with two paid adults.

We have tours specifically designed to for large groups traveling by coach or charter bus that access the best of our local hiking, waterfalls and Blue Ridge Parkway scenery. We provide up to 8 guides to accommodate a group of up to 160 guests, visiting a few different premier hiking locations that are charter bus accessible. Please email or call us to plan your customized group tour.

We will provide a full refund if the customer contacts us with the desire to cancel at least 72 hours prior to the scheduled tour. Customers will also receive a full refund in case of operator cancellation due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances. Contact us by phone (828-818-9103) to cancel or inquire about a cancellation. No-shows will be charged the full price.