ASHEVILLE, NC HIKING TOURS
Naturalist-led Hiking Tours In Asheville, NC
Explore waterfalls, mountain overlooks, and hidden stories of Blue Ridge with an expert naturalist guide.
Waterfalls, overlooks, & spectacular fall colors
Naturalist-led stories of plants, wildlife & Appalachian legends
Comfortable transportation & hiking poles included
LICENSED OUTFITTER
Frank Church Wilderness Permitted
GUEST RATING
4.9 Stars - Verified Google Reviews
ALL-INCLUSIVE
All gear, food, & transportation included
EXPERIENCED
Owner-operated with decades of guiding experience
TESTIMONIALS
Hear From Our Guests
ABOUT THIS TOUR
Experience The Blue Ridge With A Naturalist
More than just a hike - discover waterfalls, forest trails, and the stories that make this place special.
Explore waterfalls, mountain overlooks, and scenic forest trails while learning about the region's wildlife, edible and medicinal plants, local history, and Appalachian stories and folklore.
Pricing:
$99/Adult
$79/Child (14 and under)
Private tours available - inquire below for pricing
Details:
Duration: 4 hours
Hiking distance: ~2 miles (rated easy to moderately-easy)
Group size: up to 9 guests
Start time: 9:15 at Pisgah Coffee Roasters
Gratuity: never expected, always appreciated!
Waterfalls in Pisgah National Forest
Walk to stunning waterfalls tucked into one of the most biodiverse forests in North America.
Blue Ridge Parkway Overlooks
Take in sweeping mountain views from the iconic Blue Ridge Parkway, with stops at some of our favorite overlooks.
Plants, Mushrooms, & Mountain Lore
Discover edible plants, curious mushrooms, and the stories and folklore woven into these mountains.
WE MAKE IT EASY
Comfortable transportation
Hiking poles provided
Easy to moderately-easy hiking
Small groups of 9 or fewer
After booking, we'll send everything you need to know about what to wear and bring.
MEET YOUR GUIDES
Meet Your Guide, Jennifer
Jennifer is a forest ecologist, educator, and lifelong naturalist who founded Asheville Hiking Tours in 2016. She has studied forests from the Blue Ridge Mountains to the tropics of Ecuador, Colombia, and Peru, and earned her PhD studying the ecology and conservation genetics of mountain forests. Her work has spanned ethnobotany, new plant species, tropical forest conservation, and climate change—and today, she teaches college biology.
But Jennifer's favorite classroom is the trail, where edible plants, wildlife clues, ancient geology, Appalachian folklore, and a few ridiculous stories bring the mountains to life. Hike with Jennifer and you may never look at an ordinary walk in the woods quite the same way again.
Meet Your Guide, Kim
Kim is a lifelong naturalist and educator with decades of experience bringing wild places to life. Before joining Asheville Hiking Tours, she founded and operated Beaufort Kayak Tours for 17 years, leading interpretive natural and cultural history adventures throughout the Southeast.
She has taught biology and environmental science, served as Transylvania County's Natural History Educator, and most recently worked as a naturalist in Everglades National Park. With a master's degree focused on natural science and 40 years of birding experience, Kim brings extraordinary knowledge—and genuine enthusiasm—to every hike. With Kim as your guide, expect sharp eyes, fascinating stories, and the perspective of someone who has spent a lifetime exploring wild places.
WHO THIS TOUR IS FOR
Is This The Right Tour For You?
Our Waterfalls & Blue Ridge Parkway Tour is designed for curious travelers who want to experience the best of the mountains - without the stress of planning.
A GOOD FIT
You want waterfalls, mountain views, and forest trails - all in one half day adventure
You're curious about wildlife, edible plants, mushrooms, history, and Appalachian folklore.
You want more than a hike - you want to understand the landscape you're exploring
You'd rather leave the mountain driving and logistics for us.
You have limited time in Asheville and want to experience as much as possible
You enjoy an easy to moderately-easy hike with plenty of time to explore, learn, and take photos.
PROBABLY NOT FOR YOU
You're looking for a strenuous, high-mileage hiking challenge.
Your priority is moving fast and covering as much trail as possible.
You'd rather skip the nature, history, and storytelling and simply hike on your own.
Looking for a hard hiking day? There are some great outfitters around Asheville for that. We're intentionally different - our tours are about experiencing, discovering, and understanding Blue Ridge.
OCTOBER DATES FILL FIRST
Fall Color Is Worth Planning Around
Color starts at the highest elevations and works its way down over several weeks, which means the Parkway and the Pisgah waterfalls peak at different times. We track this week by week and will pick the best route accordingly.
If your trip is still weeks out, that's the ideal time to ask. October fills up earliest, and the answer costs you nothing.
PRACTICAL INFO
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do we meet?
Your tour begins at 9:15 am at Pisgah Coffee Roasters, about 30 minutes south of Asheville and just minutes from Pisgah National Forest. Pisgah Coffee Roasters opens at either 8 am and 9 am depending on the day, which gives guests time to purchase coffee, water, or snacks and use the restroom before departure.
How long is the tour?
Plan for about 4 hours from start to finish, including transportation between our hiking, waterfall, and Blue Ridge Parkway stops.
How will we get around?
Transportation is included throughout the tour in our climate-controlled, raised-roof passenger van. Sit back and enjoy the scenery while your guide handles the winding mountain roads and takes you between waterfalls, trails, and Blue Ridge Parkway overlooks.
Do you offer private and large-group tours?
Absolutely! We offer private tours for families and small groups, as well as custom outings for corporate and larger groups. For groups of up to 40 guests, we can coordinate multiple passenger vans or charter bus transportation and provide multiple guides, allowing us to break into smaller groups and keep the experience personal and engaging. Planning a family outing, corporate excursion, or large-group adventure? Reach out to us for options and custom pricing.
How hard is the hiking?
Our tour includes approximately 2 miles of easy to moderately-easy hiking at a relaxed pace, with plenty of stops along the way. Trails include natural, uneven terrain and some elevation change, but this is not a strenuous hiking tour.
How much does it cost?
Shared tours are $99 per adult and $79 per child age 14 and under. Private tours and large group tours are also available — contact us for pricing and availability.
What should I bring?
Wear comfortable, closed-toe shoes with good tread and dress in layers for changing mountain weather. Bring water and any snacks you'd like for the tour; both are available for purchase at Pisgah Coffee Roasters before departure. A rain jacket is recommended if rain is in the forecast. We provide: hiking poles, transportation, and ponchos for unexpected light rain.
What happens if it rains?
Tours run in light rain, and the mountains can be especially beautiful in changing weather. We provide ponchos for unexpected showers and will contact guests if severe weather makes conditions unsafe.
Ask About Fall Tour Dates
Tell us roughly when you're in town and how many people you've got. We'll reply by email with what's open and what we'd recommend for that week of the season.
No deposit to ask. No booking engine to fight with. A guide reads every submission.
Prefer to talk it through? Call 828-382-1166
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