tuuur.com - Worldwide Trips

Basix

Walking & Trekking

Hiking and Backpacking North Carolina's Appalachian Mountains

3 Days | Incredible views, waterfalls, and spectacular summits in North Carolina’s Shining Rock Wilderness

Excellent

1 reviews

3 days

Start

Asheville, United States

Finish

Asheville, United States

Trip Code

SKXA

Min Age

Trip Size

1 - 8

Physical Rating

Meals

3 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 2 dinners

Transport

Private vehicle

Accommodation

Backcountry camping (2 nights)

From £875(3 days)

Trip Informations

When it comes to trails, views, summits, and abundant flora and fauna, North Carolina’s Appalachian Mountains and Shining Rock Wilderness in particular, is the place to be. Discover the Cradle of Forestry area where American forest conservation began and stop at Looking Glass Falls, a stunning roadside waterfall, which features incredible 360 degree views. Spend two nights camping in the heart of the action near the famous and unique rock feature known as Shining Rock. Hike to the summit, eat lunch on a massive ledge with views of the entire area, and enjoy spectacular views on this small group backpacking adventure.

Why you’ll love this trip

Enjoy a delicious dinner prepared by your leader as you watch the sunset from the comfort of your camp on the summit of Shining Rock.

Take in spectacular views on the hike to the summit of Cold Mountain which features in Charles Frazier’s historic fiction novel of the same name.

Take in sweeping views of the Appalachian Mountain Range as you enjoy lunch on the summit of one of the peaks or in the grassy meadows of Ivestor Gap.

Stop at Looking Glass Falls, a stunning roadside waterfall, and watch the water tumbling over the top of a high cliff to create an impressively wide cascade.

Enjoy scenic vistas galore as you make your way along a trail that showcases views of the entire Pisgah National Forest.

Is this trip right for you?

This is a hiking trip; a good fitness level will help you enjoying all included hikes and activities. Good clothing, appropriate footwear, and wet weather gear is a must.

This trip involves daily hiking ranging in distance from 4-9 miles 6.5-14 km) per day with a total trip distance of up to 22 miles (35 km). The maximum daily elevation gain/loss is 2000 feet (610 m). Please check the trip itinerary for more details.

On this tour you will be required to carry a backpack weighting approximately 35-45 lb (15-20).

On our final day there is no accommodation included so please plan your departure accordingly, or pre-book a post-tour night.

Itinerary

DAY 1
Blue Ridge Mountains
After a pick up from downtown Asheville, your trip begins with a drive through the city of Brevard and a stop at an amazing roadside attraction, Looking Glass Falls. From here it is a short drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway to the start of the Art Loeb Trail and its mighty mountain peaks. Cross over Black Balsam Knob and Tennent Mountain and take in the sweeping views of the surrounding Appalachian Mountain Range as you enjoy lunch on the summit of one of these peaks or in the grassy meadows of Ivestor Gap. After hiking onwards to our two night basecamp near Shining Rock Gap, you will enjoy a memorable sunset dinner on the summit of Shining Rock.
Accommodation
Camping (1 night)
Meals
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Included activities
Shuttle from Asheville
Looking Glass Falls visit
Art Loeb Trail hike
Tennent Mountain climb & lunch
Shining Rock summit sunset dinner
Guided Backpacking experience
Special information
A pre-trip orientation meeting will take place at 5:00 PM the day before trip starts at Holiday Inn Express & Suits Asheville Downtown hotel in Asheville. We recommend you book a pre tour night in that hotel. Your guide will pick you up early on the morning of Day 1 for transport to the trailhead. Exact pickup time will be advised during the meeting.
Today’s driving time is approximately 1 hour. Today’s walking distance is approximately 8kms (5 miles) with a 305m (1000 feet) elevation gain.
DAY 2
Blue Ridge Mountains
Today there are two different ways to enjoy the Appalachian High country. The first option is a hike to an amazing summit view from atop Cold Mountain which features in Charles Frazier’s historic fiction novel of the same name. After lunch at the summit, hike back toward Shining Rock Gap and your scenic camp. Your second (easier) option is to simply shorten this hike to turn around and have lunch along a scenic ridgeline called “the Narrows”. This shorter hike allows extra time to relax and explore the quartzite rock outcroppings of Shining Rock before the return to camp. Please note, your tour leader will decided, together with the group, which option is best for everyone.
Accommodation
Camping (1 night)
Meals
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Included activities
Cold Mountain climb & lunch
Shining Rock Gap hike
Special information
Today’s walking distance is approximately 8kms (5 miles) to 14 kms (9 miles) with a 230m (750 feet) to 550m (1795 feet) elevation gain.
DAY 3
Blue Ridge Mountains
Today you will break down camp and work our way back to where you began our trek. On the way, stop and enjoy multiple views along the trail which allow us to take in all of Pisgah National Forest. Today’s lunch is at one of the many amazing viewpoints of the famous Blue Ridge Parkway, before the short drive back to Asheville where your trip will come to an end.
Meals
Breakfast
Lunch
Included activities
Pisgah National Forest hike
Shuttle to Asheville
Special information
Today’s driving time is approximately 1 hour. Today’s walking distance is approximately 6kms (4 miles) with a 780m (2550 feet) elevation gain.

Inclusions

Meals

3 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 2 dinners

Transport

Private vehicle

Accommodation

Backcountry camping (2 nights)

Activities

Shuttle from Asheville

Looking Glass Falls visit

Art Loeb Trail hike

Tennent Mountain climb & lunch

Shining Rock summit sunset dinner

Guided Backpacking experience

Cold Mountain climb & lunch

Shining Rock Gap hike

Pisgah National Forest hike

Shuttle to Asheville

Dates and availability

Starting

Ending

Remaining

Prices From

No availability found

Important notes

1. A completed registration form is required to join these trips. You will not be confirmed for the trip until your form has been received and reviewed. We may ask for a medical release signed by your physician for medical conditions or circumstances which could possibly compromise your safety or the safety of others on this trip – please speak to your agent for further details.

2. A signed disclaimer (Acknowledgement of Risks Form) is required at the time of booking for this trip – please speak to your agent for further details.

3. To help ensure this trip is right for you, this trip is subject to additional ‘Essential Eligibility Requirements’ – see the ‘Itinerary Disclaimer’ section of the Essential Trip Information for further details.

4.This trip is operated and run by Wildland Trekking, an Tuuur company. You will be travelling with a mixture of both Wildland Trekking customers and Tuuur customers.

5. Please note, pre-trip orientation meeting will take place at 5:00 PM day before trip starts at Holiday Inn Express & Suits Asheville Downtown hotel in Asheville. We recommend you book a pre tour night in that hotel.

6. A single tent is provided to all solo travellers at no extra cost.

Reviews (0)

No review found