Asheville Inn-based Hiking Tour
Inn-Based Hiking Tours
3 Days, 2 Nights 27MI / 43KM
Trip Highlights
Our Asheville Inn-Based Hiking Tour offers the perfect blend of mountain adventure and downtown charm, with guided hikes in the stunning Blue Ridge Mountains and evenings spent enjoying Asheville’s vibrant culinary scene. Explore dramatic landscapes like Linville Gorge and the Blue Ridge Parkway, with trails leading to waterfalls, panoramic vistas, and remarkable geological features. Each element of the experience—from the hand-picked hikes to the boutique accommodations—has been carefully curated for an unforgettable Appalachian getaway. The tour includes two nights of premier lodging, all transportation, guided hikes, gear, meals, and more.
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Amazing Hikes
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Hand-picked Downtown Asheville Restaurants
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BIG Appalachian Views
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Mountain Summits
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Diverse Forests, Streams & Ecosystems
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Stunning Waterfalls
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Accommodations in Asheville
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View Dates
Trip Details
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Trip Type
Inn-Based Hiking Tours -
Trip Length
3 Days, 2 Nights -
Daily Hiking Distance
6-10 mi -
Group Size
2-9 Guests
Is This Trip Right For me?
This trip travels long, rougher trails that are rocky and rooty. Designated Wilderness trails do not see a lot of maintenance but provide fantastic, quality hiking. Day 2 has some exposure but can be avoided. Day 3 will have the longest miles but half the day is hiking along an old railroad bed.
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: 8 miles
Elevation Gain/Loss: 1,400 feet
Today we head out of Asheville on our way to a lesser known gem in the Nantahala National Forest, Panthertown Valley. This amazing area has a tremendous amount to offer: waterfalls, pristine mountain creeks, towering cliffs, lush forests, wildlife, and spectacular views. No wonder it gets the nickname of “The Yosemite of the East”! Our loop hike in this unique Appalachian valley brings us to multiple waterfalls and cliffs, with splendid views of the surrounding area.
Day 2
Shuttle to Trailhead: ~1 hour
Hiking Mileage: 6.4 miles
Elevation Gain/Loss: ~1,650 feet
After breakfast at our hotel, today’s objective is to summit of one of the most iconic landmarks in the region: Looking Glass Rock. Looking Glass is also one of the most fantastic hikes in the Pisgah National Forest. The hike is a fun, challenging one that rewards our efforts with stunning views. We’ll enjoy an amazing picnic lunch prepared by your guide on the summit.
After lunch we’ll descend back to our vehicle and head to the spectacular roadside waterfall, Looking Glass Falls, to shoot pictures and dip our feet. After the waterfall, we drive back to Asheville by way of the Blue Ridge Parkway. Along the way we will stop at some roadside overlook areas for even more sweeping views of the surrounding mountains.
After showering up, our evening will be filled with a walk through downtown Asheville and another special Appalachian dinner. After we eat you are welcome to explore the downtown area as long as you would like, just remember our best and longest hike starts tomorrow morning!
Day 3
Shuttle to Trailhead: 1 hour
Hiking Mileage: 10 miles
Elevation Gain/Loss: 1,300 feet
Shuttle to Asheville: 1 hour
To start the last day of our Appalachian adventure we’ll again enjoy a fantastic breakfast, then head to today’s trailhead just off the Blue Ridge Parkway. You’ll enjoy some great views along the drive before we begin our hike to the summit of one of the most unique geological features in the region: Shining Rock. The hike to the summit starts out along the Art Loeb Trail and takes us over multiple mountain summits and saddles. After reaching the summit our efforts are rewarded by huge, sweeping views and a picnic lunch prepared by your guide along the anomalous, white quartzite cliff bands that cap Shining Rock. This remarkable area sparkles in the sunlight and will be one you won’t forget.
After enjoying our lunch-with-a-view, we’ll descend back to our vehicle by way of the Ivestor Gap Trail for some different views and a bit easier hiking. Our short journey home back to Asheville brings us to the end of our memorable 3 days of outstanding hiking and exploration.
Trip Dates
What's Included
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2 nights of double occupancy lodging in downtown Asheville, NC (single occupancy requires an additional single supplement)
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Meals from breakfast the first day through lunch the final day
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Use of our day pack and 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 originating and concluding in Asheville, NC
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Emergency equipment including a company-issued first-aid kit and communication device (InReach Explorer or satellite phone)
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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Alcoholic beverages
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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.
DoubleTree by Hilton Asheville Downtown
2 NIGHTS
The DoubleTree by Hilton Asheville Downtown is arguably the signature hotel in Asheville. With stunning views of the surrounding mountains and situated in perfect walking distance to many iconic Appalachian restaurants and breweries, it’s a perfect location for our Blue Ridge adventure.
(pool, views)
Trip Logistics & FAQs
Where Do We Meet?
You will meet your guide and group at the Doubletree by Hilton Asheville Downtown for an orientation meeting at 5:00 PM the evening before the trip begins. We’re happy to give you a ride to this meeting if you’re not staying at the Doubletree. Your guide will then pick you up the next morning for transport to the trailhead. For Private Great Smoky Mountains Tours your guide can meet you at any hotel in Asheville at an agreed upon 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 at the orientation meeting. We will drop you off at your hotel on the final day normally before 5 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
Reviews
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Andrea N
2 years agoBEST hike in the Smokies!
Awesome tour! Our guide Kyle was superb, the hotel and meals were great, and the hikes were absolutely gorgeous! Despite some rain and cold, I enjoyed every minute!! This was my third trip with Wildland and as usual it was fantastic. Highly recommend this hiking tour!
Nina R
2 years agoIncredible
The guides made the trip incredible. Their attention to detail and exceptional service truly made our vacation memorable and enjoyable. We appreciated their extensive knowledge of the area and the extra effort they put into ensuring our safety and comfort throughout the trip. Their passion for the outdoors and how they shared it with us were truly inspiring. We are so grateful to have had the opportunity to explore the beautiful Appalachian landscape with Kyle and Grace. Their professionalism, patience, and kindness did not go unnoticed; we will always remember this trip fondly.
Amira S
3 years agoMagnificent
The trail was magnificent! the guide Kyle Felts was competent and pleasant to hike with.
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