Blue Ridge Mountains Basecamp Hiking Adventure
Camping Hiking Tours
4 Days, 3 Nights 32 MI / 51.5 KM
Trip Highlights
Our Asheville Basecamp Hiking Tour combines rewarding day hikes with the comfort of a welcoming camp to return to each evening. Explore some of the Southern Appalachians’ most spectacular landscapes, from the rugged rim of Linville Gorge to the scenic overlooks of the Blue Ridge Parkway. Along the way, hike to cascading waterfalls, sweeping mountain vistas, and fascinating geological formations that showcase the beauty and diversity of western North Carolina.
Every detail of this trip has been thoughtfully designed to create an unforgettable Appalachian adventure, from our hand-selected trails to the delicious meals prepared by your guides at camp. Leave the logistics to us and focus on the experience. Your tour includes campsite accommodations, transportation throughout the itinerary, expert guides, quality hiking gear, all meals, and more.
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Visit Great Smoky National Park and Pisgah National Forest
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Shining Rock Wilderness and Looking Glass Falls
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Diverse Forests, Streams & Ecosystems
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Stunning Waterfalls
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Excellent Outdoor Cuisine
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Comfortable National Forest Campsites
Book This Trip
View Dates
Trip Details
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Trip Type
Camping Hiking Tours -
Trip Length
4 Days, 3 Nights -
Daily Hiking Distance
6-10 mi -
Group Size
2-8 Guests
Receive a PDF info packet via email which includes:
- day by day itinerary
- logistical and travel information
- gear and clothing lists and more
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Is This Trip Right For me?
While the trails are maintained, they do include rocks, stairs, and roots that will have you stepping up, and down, shin high or higher for most of the trail. Designated Wilderness trails do not see a lot of maintenance but provide fantastic, quality hiking.
Difficulty Level
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Solitude Level
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Trip Itinerary
Please Note: We always do everything in our power to follow the set itinerary, however it can change occasionally based on temporary access restrictions, weather, lodging availability, guest ability/injury, natural events like fires and flooding, and other potential causes. Normal terms and conditions apply to trips with itinerary changes.
Day 1
Shuttle to Trailhead: 1.5 hours
Hiking Mileage: 7.5 miles
Total Ascent: 1676 ft
Total Descent: 1732
High: 5706 ft
Low: 1833 ft
After meeting your guides and fellow hikers in Asheville, we’ll hit the road and begin our adventure in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Our first hike explores the Deep Creek and Indian Creek Loop, where lush forests, rushing streams, and multiple waterfalls provide a spectacular introduction to the Southern Appalachians.
Later, we’ll travel along the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway to our basecamp at a beautiful National Forest campground. This afternoon’s hike climbs steadily to the summit of Mount Pisgah, where sweeping views stretch across Pisgah National Forest and the surrounding mountains. We’ll cap off the day with a delicious camp dinner and an evening around the campfire under the stars.
Day 2
Shuttle to Trailhead: 45 mins
Hiking Mileage: 10 miles
Total Ascent: 1523 ft
Total Descent: 1527 ft
High: 6066 ft
Low: 5689 ft
After a hearty camp breakfast, we’ll set out along the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway, taking in sweeping mountain views on our way to the trailhead. Today’s adventure leads to one of the Southern Appalachians’ most distinctive landmarks: Shining Rock.
Beginning on the renowned Art Loeb Trail, our route traverses a series of ridgelines, summits, and mountain saddles before reaching the quartzite-capped summit of Shining Rock. Along the way, expansive vistas showcase the rugged beauty of western North Carolina. At the summit, we’ll enjoy a guide-prepared picnic lunch surrounded by the gleaming white quartzite formations that give Shining Rock its name. Sparkling in the sunlight, this remarkable landscape is unlike anywhere else in the region.
After lunch, we’ll descend via the Ivestor Gap Trail, enjoying new perspectives and gentler terrain as we make our way back to the trailhead. Back at camp, there’s time to relax before gathering for another delicious dinner and a well-earned evening in the mountains.
Day 3
Shuttle to Trailhead: 30 minutes
Hiking Mileage: up to 8 miles
Total Ascent: 1142 ft
Total Descent: 1147 ft
High: 4415 ft
Low: 3372 ft
Today’s adventure follows the beautiful Big East Fork of the Pigeon River, winding through a lush forest of hemlocks and hardwoods deep within the Pisgah wilderness. As we hike alongside the river, we’ll enjoy multiple stream crossings, peaceful cascades, and inviting swimming holes that offer plenty of opportunities to cool off and soak in the scenery.
Less traveled than many of the region’s popular trails, this route delivers a true sense of exploration. Expect some easy scrambling, uneven terrain, and the occasional natural obstacle as we follow the river corridor upstream. Getting your feet wet is all part of the experience, so be sure to wear quick-drying footwear or sturdy water shoes. With its combination of pristine waterways, secluded forest, and adventurous hiking, this is one of the area’s most rewarding hidden gems.
Day 4
Total Drive Time: 1.5 hours
Hiking Mileage: 6.5 miles
Total Ascent: 1626 ft
Total Descent: 1627 ft
High: 3969 ft
Low: 2305 ft
After our final breakfast in camp, we’ll set our sights on one of the region’s most iconic landmarks: Looking Glass Rock. Considered one of the premier hikes in Pisgah National Forest, this rewarding climb leads to an expansive granite summit with sweeping views across the Blue Ridge Mountains. We’ll enjoy a guide-prepared picnic lunch at the top while taking in the spectacular scenery.
After lunch, we’ll descend to the trailhead and visit Looking Glass Falls. Take time to capture a few photos, relax by the cascading water, or dip your feet in the refreshing pool below.
From there, we’ll return to Asheville via the Blue Ridge Parkway. If time allows, we’ll stop at a few overlooks for some final mountain views before arriving back in Asheville around 5:00 PM, marking the end of an unforgettable Appalachian adventure.
Trip Dates
Click on a date to register. You can also click here to request new dates or book through customer service.
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What's Included
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3 nights of camping at a National Forest Campground
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Top of the line, tent, sleeping pad, sleeping bag, and daypack
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Meals from breakfast the first day through lunch the final day
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Use of trekking poles
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Trained hiking guide(s) with years of personal wilderness and hiking experience, medical certifications, and a passion for leading people into breathtaking landscapes. See Guide Bios.
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Transportation for the duration of the tour to/from Asheville, NC
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Emergency equipment including a company-issued first-aid kit and communication device
What's Not Included
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Clothes, raingear, and footwear -
Sunscreen, toiletries and personal items
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Water bottles and a headlamp or flashlight
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Guide gratuity (industry recommendation is 10-20% of trip cost)
Accommodations
* These exact accommodations are not guaranteed. In some instances alternative accommodations of similar quality and location may be used.
Premier Campgrounds
3 NIGHTS
On our basecamp tours we hand pick wonderful campgrounds that put us right in the action for exceptional hiking and camping vacations. They may be national park, state park, or private vehicle-accessible campgrounds. They may vary by trip date, availability and seasonality.
Fantastic Meals
11 meals
Basecamp trips include meals for the duration of the tours beginning with breakfast the first day through lunch the final day. Meals are prepared by your guide(s) using fresh ingredients, exclusive Wildland recipes, and we adhere to all department of health outdoor cooking codes.
Comfortable Camping
Camping Amenities
What amenities do basecamp tours include? Cold and hot drinks, campfires (when and where allowed), camp chairs, fresh food, roomy tents, comfortable sleeping pads, sleeping pads, camp pillows and more! Camp comfortably, eat well, and hike ’til your heart’s content.
Trip Logistics & FAQs
Where Do We Meet?
Your guide will pick you up around 6:00 am on Day 1 of the trip. This time can change seasonally. Your guide will email you about 10 days before the trip to confirm the time.
Click here to see a printable, downloadable trip information packet with more detailed guidance about flights, shuttles, recommended lodging and more.
Travel to Asheville, NC
All North Carolina trips begin and end from Asheville, North Carolina. Asheville has an airport served by Allegiant Air, Delta, United, and US Airways. One can also fly into Greenville, South Carolina or Charlotte, North Carolina and drive to Asheville. It is a 1.5-hour drive from Greenville to Asheville and a 2-hour drive from Charlotte on good roads.
FROM ASHEVILLE AIRPORT (AVL)
Asheville Airport Express (http://www.ashevilleairportexpress.com, 828-231-1053) and Harry’s Car Service run (828-774-8178) shuttles to and from downtown. Also a number of taxis are usually available on the curb in the Arrivals area.
FROM GREENVILLE/CHARLOTTE (CLT)
Asheville Airport Express also runs daily vans from Charlotte and Greenville to Asheville.
CAR RENTALS
Avis: 800-331-1212; Hertz 800-654- 3131; National: 800-227-7368; Thrifty: 800-367-2277; Alamo: 800-327-9633
Start/End Times
This tour begins between 6:00 and 7:00 AM on Day 1. Your guide will give you the exact pick-up time for Day 1 in their pre-trip email sent about 10 days before departure. We will drop you off at your hotel on the final day normally before 5:00 PM (this time is not guaranteed, as a variety of circumstances can influence our exact return time).
Safety Precautions
Your safety is our top priority. Our hiking tours are led by professional hiking guides, all of whom are wilderness-certified first responders or EMT’s, each with years of guiding and wilderness experience. Guides adhere to standardized risk management protocols in case of any potential or actual incident, and all tours carry an emergency communication device and comprehensive first-aid kit. Additionally we have a “24/7” system through which guides or guests can reach Wildland support personnel at any time.
If you have any further questions about safety, please contact us at 1-800-715-HIKE (4453) for more information.
Age Restrictions
Age restrictions on this trip are as follows:
- 12 and older to join scheduled tours (mixed groups)
- 5 and older to join private tours, with final approval and specific logistical requirements (such as porter or stock assist) determined on a case by case basis
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