Blue Ridge Brews & Views
Asheville, NC
5.0 (20 reviews)Trip Highlights
- Amazing Hikes
- Hand-picked Breweries
- BIG Appalachian Views
- Mountain Summits
- Diverse Forests, Streams & Ecosystems
- Stunning Waterfalls
- Accommodations in Asheville
Description
Our 4-Day Appalachian “Brews & Views” Adventure combines the best hiking and craft brewery hotspots of North Carolina into one relatively short, purely Appalachian outdoor vacation. You’ll challenge yourself and experience some of the best hikes, diverse forests, waterfalls, towns, and breweries the Appalachian region has to offer. We’ve meticulously hand-picked the lodging, hikes, and breweries to make your week as unique and memorable as possible! This tour includes 3 nights of premier lodging, all local transportation (including designated driver shuttles after visiting breweries), sensational hikes, trail snacks, all meals, and 1 pint or flight of beer at each brewery.
Each day we set out on challenging and fulfilling hikes through the historic and towering Blue Ridge Mountains. Each evening we’ll take you to a hand-picked brewery where you can enjoy a selection of craft beers and exceptional Appalachian cuisine.
Please Note: this trip can be a fun choice for 2021. The breweries we visit have outdoor patios where we can enjoy beer tasting and physical distancing at the same time. Tours of the breweries are not operating, but the hiking and beer tasting are as great as they’ve always been!
Wildland Trekking is a permitee of the USFS, Pisgah and Nantahala National Forests
$2050 Per Person
$375 Single Supplement
DIFFICULTY LEVEL 3
Scale of 1-5. 1 is least difficult; 5 is most difficult
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.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
- Hiking uphill or downhill with a 8-12 lb backpack for 6-8 hours
- Maintaining balance and footing on moderately rugged terrain
SOLITUDE LEVEL 2
1 least solitude, 5 most solitude
We rate this Appalachia hike a solitude. You can expect as much as an hour of solitude at a time while hiking.
TRAVEL TO ASHEVILLE
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
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
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
Private Trips
Travel in perfect company by booking a private trip exclusively for your group!
Our sliding scale for private trips is based on the final number of guests in your group. Rates are per person and do not include sales tax, national park fees or guide gratuity. The final rate is based on the actual number of guests on the trip and may adjust based on cancellations or additions.
Please Note: you can also enjoy a private trip at our normal scheduled rates by filling any empty tour to capacity. However, if group members drop from the tour those spots will automatically become available on our website for instant booking. By purchasing a private trip at the rates listed below, your trip will remain exclusive to your group regardless of cancellations.
Private Rates FOr This Trip
- 2 People: Rate x 2.5
- 3 People: Rate x 2
- 4 People: Rate x 1.5
- 5+ People: Rate x 1.15
*all rates are per person and single supplements apply
Learn About Our Private Trips
View Private TripsItinerary
Day 1
- Brewery: Sierra Nevada
This Appalachian hiking tour begins with rendezvous at our hotel in Asheville where once our whole group has arrived we head to the Sierra Nevada Brewing compound. We will enjoy a tour of the brewery and sit down to sample their fabulous, award winning brews and enjoy dinner. Over beers and dinner we will talk about the next 3 days, answer questions, cover safety information, and review the itinerary. After our fun-filled first evening we will head back to Asheville for a good night’s sleep in preparation for our first hike.
Day 2
- Shuttle to Trailhead: appx ~2 hours
- Hiking Mileage: ~8.5 miles
- Elevation Gain/Loss: ~2,000 feet
- Brewery: Highland Brewing Company
Our 2nd day will start with a hearty breakfast and scenic drive from Asheville, NC to the amazing views and waterfalls near Linville Gorge in the Pisgah National Forest. Our first stop will be at the Linville Falls Visitor Center, where we will start a 1.6 mile round trip hike to 3 different viewpoints of this outstanding waterfall.
After returning to our vehicle we will again shuttle through the amazing Blue Ridge Mountains to our next hike, a challening one up Table Rock Mountain for huge, sweeping views of the spectacular Linville Gorge. After a tasty picnic lunch on the summit, we descend to the river far below and enjoy dipping our feet and possibly more in its cool mountain waters.
After refreshing ourselves in the river we’ll head to Highland Brewing Company on our way home. Here we will visit one of the region’s original breweries started in 1994. Highland has long been thought of as a pioneer in the Asheville craft beer movement. Their flagship beer – Gaelic Ale – is a staple of the Asheville beer scene and a must-try! After enjoying some brews we’ll head back to Asheville to our lodging to clean up. Dinner tonight is in one of downtown Asheville’s wonderful restaurants.
Day 3
- Shuttle to Trailhead: ~1 hour
- Hiking Mileage: 6.4 miles
- Elevation Gain/Loss: ~1,650 feet
- Brewery: varies
After breakfast, today’s objective is the 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 home by way of the Blue Ridge Parkway. Along the way we will stop at some roadside areas for even more sweeping views of the surrounding mountains.
After showering up, our evening will be filled with walking to some of downtown Asheville’s best breweries and checking out some of the unique cuisine from our local food trucks. 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 4
- 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 “Brews & Views” Adventure we’ll again enjoy a fantastic Appalachian breakfast, then head to today’s trailhead just off the Blue Ridge Parkway. We then 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 is a truly remarkable area.
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 4 days of outstanding brews and views.
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/campground availability, guest ability/injury, natural events like fires and flooding, and other potential causes. Normal terms and conditions apply to trips with itinerary changes.
TRIP DATES & BOOKING
AVAILABLE TO BOOK
This trip is available and bookable online! Click on the date to register now or contact us online to book through our award-winning customer service team!
GOING FAST
This trip has 1 or 2 spots remaining and is bookable online! Click on the date to book now or contact us online to book through customer service.
REQUEST A RESERVATION
This trip is exclusively booked through customer service due to logistics with lodging, permits, staffing, availability, or something else. Please contact us online or call us at 800-715-HIKE (4453) to request a reservation.
Don't see your dates? Call us! We may be able to add new trip dates.
800-715-HIKE (4453)Trip Details
What's Included
- 3 nights of lodging in Asheville, NC
- Breakfasts and picnic lunches prepared by your guide, and trail snacks
- 3 dinners and 1 pint/flight at 3 breweries (days 1, 2, 3)
- Brewery tours where/when available
- Use of a day pack and trekking poles
- A professional, knowledgeable, certified Appalachian hiking guide
- Transportation for the duration of the tour originating and concluding in Asheville, NC (including designated driver shuttles after breweries)
- Emergency equipment including a company-issued first-aid kit and satellite phone
- A Lifetime Hiking Membership entitling you, your spouse and dependents to a discount of 10% off any Wildland hiking trip after your first one (must book directly with us to receive the discount)!
What's Not Included
- Alcoholic beverages after 1 pint or flight on days 1, 2 and 3
- Clothes, raingear, and footwear (see recommendations)
- Sunscreen, toiletries and personal items
- Water bottles and a headlamp or flashlight
- Guide gratuity (industry recommendation is 10-20% of trip cost)
Click here to see a printable, downloadable trip information packet with more detailed guidance about what to pack.
Meals: What to Expect
This tour features a combination of restaurant/lodge breakfasts and dinners, and picnic lunches prepared by your guide.
We regularly accommodate vegan, vegetarian, kosher and non-gluten diets and will make adjustments for food allergies. These and other special dietary requests may require an additional fee.
Gear We Provide
We provide all group gear which includes the following:
- Deuter or Osprey backpacks
- Leki trekking poles
- Company-issued first-aid kit
- Emergency communication device(s)
What Gear to Bring
We ask that you supply a couple of gear items on your hiking tour. These items are two 1-liter water bottles per person and either a headlamp or flashlight per person. Basic items like sunscreen, bug repellent, lip balm, and toiletries are also important.
What Clothes to Bring
When you register for this tour you’ll receive access to a printable, downloadable trip information packet with detailed guidance about what clothes to pack (click here to see it now.) All trips require a sturdy pair of hiking shoes or hiking boots, rain gear, and our recommended clothing system. A minimum of three pairs of wool or synthetic hiking socks are also required.
Trip Logistics
How Do I Register?
Reserve your spot today! In the Trip Dates & Booking section of this page, the green and red dates are bookable online by simply clicking on the date, and blue dates must be booked through our customer service team for a variety of possible reasons. To email our customer service team, you can click here to get the ball rolling. Our adventure consultants will confirm availability, and if you’re ready to register we’ll email you a link to a registration profile. You’ll have 72 hours to complete your profile (and that of any dependents) and pay the deposit.
Feel free to call us for more info – we’re here 7 days a week!
Where Do We Meet?
You will meet your guide and group at the Hyatt Place Hotel in downtown Asheville at 3:00 PM the first day of the tour. The first night’s lodging is included in this tour.
Click here to see a printable, downloadable trip information packet with more detailed guidance about flights, shuttles, recommended lodging and more.
Start/End Times
This tour rendezvouses at 3 PM on Day 1 at the Hyatt Place Hotel in downtown Asheville. 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 Considerations
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. We’ve developed comprehensive risk management protocols that our guides adhere to in case of an emergency, and all tours carry an emergency communication device. If you have any further questions about safety, please contact us at 1-800-715-HIKE (4453) for more information.
Guides
Your tour will be led by a trained, experienced professional with a solid guiding background, years of personal wilderness and hiking experience, medical certifications, and a passion for leading people into breathtaking landscapes. Check out our Meet Our Team page for staff bios.
Guides Working Parameters
Guides are required to take 8 hours off each 24-hour period to sleep, recuperate, take personal/down time…etc. In addition, as part of the 8 hours off they must sleep/rest or be in their tents/rooms uninterrupted for a minimum of 5 hours each night. We ask guests to respect these requirements and to not interrupt guides’ off time and sleep time unless there is a true emergency.
Group Size and Age Restrictions
The standard group size on Blue Ridge Mountains hiking tours is 6 guests, with a maximum group size of 9 guests. If you have more questions about group size, please give us a call at 1-800-715-HIKE (4453) and we’ll answer all your questions.
Age restrictions are as follows:
- All guests must be 21 years old or older to join this tour
Weather in The Appalachians
The weather in the Appalachian Mountains varies greatly by time of year. To be fully prepared, please follow the recommended clothing list closely (this list comes as part of your trip packet when you register). Read below for average high and low temperatures in for low elevations in the Appalachian Mountains:
| Average Temperatures (Fahrenheit) | ||||||
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Month
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Low Elev
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High Elev
|
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hi
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low
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hi
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low
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January
|
51°
|
28°
|
35°
|
19°
|
||
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February
|
54°
|
29°
|
35°
|
18°
|
||
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March
|
61°
|
34°
|
39°
|
24°
|
||
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April
|
71°
|
42°
|
49°
|
34°
|
||
|
May
|
79°
|
50°
|
57°
|
43°
|
||
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June
|
86°
|
58°
|
63°
|
49°
|
||
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July
|
88°
|
59°
|
65°
|
53°
|
||
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August
|
87°
|
60°
|
64°
|
52°
|
||
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September
|
83°
|
55°
|
60°
|
47°
|
||
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October
|
73°
|
43°
|
53°
|
38°
|
||
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November
|
61°
|
33°
|
42°
|
28°
|
||
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December
|
52°
|
28°
|
37°
|
21°
|
||
Accommodations
DoubleTree by Hilton Asheville Downtown
3 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)
* These exact accommodations are not guaranteed. In some instances alternative accommodations of similar quality and location may be used.
Trip Reviews
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- LOW - HIGH
- HIGH - LOW
Belinda N
Loved the Hikes
This was a great trip!! We had an awesome group, and an awesome guide. This was my first guided hike, and Kyle exceeded my expectations. He has set the bar very high for future guides. Loved the hikes. Surrounded by beauty.
Arzie T
A good time was had by all!
Great hiking and wonderful local beer. Our guide , Kyle, was very knowledgable both about the history and the plants. Sadly, one the trails we expected to hike was washed out by the recent hurricane. Kyle was able to pivot and gave us a day to experience the Smoky Mountians. A nice bonus to our adventure. The trip is well managed and thought out to make it fun for experienced hikers and beginners alike. And there is nothing better than a local beer after a long day of hiking! The brewery visits and dinner gave us a good experience of the various sides of Asheville. I highly recommned this trip!
Ellen D
Class Hiking Company
Wildland Trekking is a class hiking company. I would definitely use this company again for future hiking/backpacking. The entire experience went smoothly with hotel, meals, transportation and the educated experienced guide, Kyle Felts. If you are able to have Kyle as your guide, you will have the best adventure/experience available.
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