Shining Rock Loop Private Hike
Asheville, NC
4.5 (2 reviews)Trip Highlights
- Appalachian Views
- Waterfalls
- Pristine Creeks
- Unique Geologic Features
- Amazing Natural & Cultural History
- Tasty Trail Snacks & Picnic Lunch
Description
Shining Rock Wilderness is a breathtaking area in the Blue Ridge Mountains near Asheville that offers absolutely fantastic hiking, sightseeing and exploration. This full day hiking tour begins with meeting your guide at the trailhead. Our hike is a wonderful loop allowing for new scenery throughout the day. Our first views come early after only 1 mile as we reach the summit of Black Balsam Knob at 6,214’. We will soak up the phenomenal view of ridges and valleys that are iconic to the Appalachian Mountains. Our next summit is Tennent Mountain at 6056’, where more expansive views await us. Our hike then takes us in and out of Balsam Fir groves and along grassy meadows full of blueberry and blackberry bushes to the highlight of the day – the brilliant quartz-capped summit of Shining Rock Mountain at 6,040’. Here we’ll enjoy a lunch provided and prepared by your guide before we continue our loop, dropping us out of the mountains back to our trailhead.
$175-$525 Per Person
Season: Apr-Dec
DIFFICULTY LEVEL 3
Scale of 1-5. 1 is least difficult; 5 is most difficult
The first half of this day hike will go over rocks and through rutted out trail but will then moves to a flat and maintained trail to Shining Rock overlook. To reach the summit, it will require a short scramble to the top. Returning back to the trailhead will be hiked along an old rails to trails type trail system.
Hiking Distances:
9.5 mi
Backpack Weight:
8-12 lbs
Terrain:
Moderately Rugged
Max Daily Elev. ↑↓:
Up to 750 ft
Heights Exposure:
Light
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
- Hiking uphill or downhill with a 8-12 lb backpack for 9-11 hours
- Maintaining balance and footing on moderately rugged terrain
SOLITUDE LEVEL 3
- Level 1: around other hikers the entire time
- Level 2: around other hikers most of the time
- Level 3: around other hikers some of the time
- Level 4: see a couple other groups during the hike
- Level 5: most likely to have the trail to ourselves
Learn About Our Private Trips
View Private TripsRates
- 1 person: $525
- 2 people: $275 per person
- 3 people: $245 per person
- 4-5 people: $205 per person
- 6-7 people: $175 per person
- 10 and younger: $135 per person
Private day hike tours are only open to your party.
*Prices do not include guide gratuity
TRIP DATES & BOOKING
This tour is booked on a custom basis for private groups so does not have set dates (requested dates are almost always available). Give us a call at 800-715-HIKE (4453) to schedule your hike!
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
- A professional, knowledgeable, medically trained, friendly wilderness guide.
- Transportation for the duration of the tour (pickup and drop off in Asheville, NC)
- A commitment to make the tour as exciting, challenging, informative, and full as you’d like, and as is possible in a day
- Trail snacks and a picnic lunch
- Use of a top of the line, technical day pack
- Use of trekking poles
What's Not Included
- Clothing and personal items
- Water (2 liters capacity)
- Guide gratuity (industry recommendation is 10-20% of trip cost)
Food: What to Expect
Day hike tours include energizing trail snacks and a delicious picnic lunch. Your guide will customize the food for your hike, but a typical lunch consists of gourmet sandwiches or wraps, fruit, veggies, chips, drinks and a dessert. On wintery or cold days you may be treated to soup or a hot, freshly cooked lunch (if you’d prefer a hot meal, please let us know!)
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.
Trip Logistics
How Do I Register?
Ready to hike? Day hike reservations are made through our Adventure Consultant 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 make your payment.
Feel free to call us for more info – we’re here 7 days a week!
Where Do We Meet?
If you’re staying in Asheville, NC we will pick you up at your hotel in Asheville. If you’re staying elsewhere and/or would prefer to meet us at the trailhead that is also an option. Your guide will be in contact approximately 7 days prior to your hike to coordinate the exact time and location of your rendezvous. If you’re staying in Asheville, this is a 3/4 day tour – the pickup time will be between 6 and 8 AM, and ending times can vary but are often between 4-6 PM.
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.
Group Size and Age Restrictions
The maximum group size on this hiking tour is 7 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:
- 5 and older to join private tours, with final approval determined on a case by case basis
Weather in The Appalachian Mountains
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January
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51°
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28°
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35°
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19°
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February
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54°
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29°
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35°
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18°
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March
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61°
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34°
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39°
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24°
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April
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71°
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42°
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49°
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34°
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May
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79°
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50°
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57°
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43°
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June
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86°
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58°
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63°
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49°
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July
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88°
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59°
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65°
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53°
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August
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87°
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60°
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64°
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52°
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September
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83°
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55°
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60°
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47°
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October
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73°
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43°
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53°
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38°
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November
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61°
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33°
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42°
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28°
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December
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52°
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28°
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37°
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21°
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Trip Reviews
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Kathy R.
Up front stumbles but amazing hike!
Wildland never disappoints. After some frustration with the remote sales tram, we were able to connect with our guide, Kyle Felts who quickly course corrected us to a hike more suited to our location and skill levels. He made the day amazing for us. Definitely recommend!
John A.
First hike with amazing guide!
My friend, Kathy Ryan introduced me too hiking and we scheduled this hike. This was my first hike. From the time Kyle picked us up at 8 AM until the time he brought us back at 5:30-ish he was superb! He was totally customer focused, professional and friendly, very knowledgeable about hiking and history, and just plain fun. He was compassionate about how I was doing, as a senior citizen, however not in a condescending manner. Because of him (and Cathy) hiking will become part of my life. At one of our rest stops I left my cell phone on a rock about 1 mile later I realized my phone was missing. Kyle RAN back to that rest area where I told him the phone probably was and he returned with my phone! What a relief. You are fortunate to have a man of Kyle’s character and values as an excellent representative of your company. THANK YOU KYLE!
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