What we’re about
Our goal is to help you explore on foot the abundance of wonderful natural places North Carolina has to offer. If you're a beginner, we'll make sure that you never hike alone (unless you want to!). We'll also teach you how to become an intrepid hiker capable of exploring wherever (the rugged Linville Gorge Wilderness, for instance) and whenever (at night!). We're aided in our efforts to get out and explore by Great Outdoor Provision Co., which provides us space for clinics and meetings, and pays the fee for our Meetup site.
Upcoming events (2)
See all- Western NC is back! Hike the AT at Hot SpringsBlue Ridge Hiking Co. bunkhouse, Hot Springs, NC
If you've been hankering to hike Western North Carolina since Hurricane Helene all but shut down the mountains last September, take heart! Hiking -- and everything else you love about the mountains -- is returning!
The first weekend in May marks the official reopening of Hot Springs, a true trail town if ever there was one. ReBuild Hot Springs, a non-profit formed to aid in the rebirth of this popular trail town, is sponsoring the two-day Town & Trail Festival. On Friday, May 2, there will be volunteer opportunities aplenty -- there's still plenty of recovery work to be done -- plus storytelling in the evening. Saturday is the festival, featuring live music, vendors, arts & crafts, and more.
More?
Hiking, of course! Four guided hikes are part of the weekend, all lead by the Asheville-based Blue Ridge Hiking Co., which also has a bunkhouse in Hot Springs. Here's the hiking lineup:
Friday, May 2
9 a.m. -- Appalachian Trail: Garenflo Gap into Hot Springs. 7 miles, moderately challenging
2 p.m. -- Big Laurel River Trail, 5.6 miles, moderate difficulty
Saturday, May 3
9 a.m. -- Appalachian Trail: Tanyard Gap into Hot Springs, 5.6 miles, moderately challenging
1 p.m. -- Lover's Leap on the Appalachian Trail, 2 miles, moderately challenging.There is a $50 donation to secure one of the 8 available slots for each hike ($25 for the Lover's Leap hike). There is an additional $5 fee to cover Blue Ridge's Forest Service fee, plus $5 for shuttles. And, again, the hikes are being lead by Blue Ridge Hiking Co., and will be swept by Joe Miller with the NC Department of Natural & Cultural Resources' Hometown Strong Division, as well as GetHiking!
To learn more about the hikes and to register, go here.
- Western NC is back: Explore Panthertown ValleyNeeds location
It's been a while since we've been to Panthertown Valley in Western North Carolina, but we're making up for our absence with a three-day visit in May.
Help the Friends of Panthertown Valley celebrate the end of their month-long BioBlitz, by attending their BioBlitz Celebration and spending the weekend hiking and camping in Panthertown Valley.
There are three hiking options for this weekend:- Basecamp Backpack exploration. Arrive Friday, May 16 at 4 p.m. and hike, in full pack, a mile to our basecamp for the weekend. Enjoy a short night-hike that weekend, then 5-mile day-hikes on both Saturday and Sunday. This trip is limited to 8 hikers.
- Saturday day hike. At 9 a.m. we'll set off on a 5-mile day-hike utilizing various trails, taking in numerous waterfalls and scenic views. We'll be back in time to drive to nearby Cashiers for the presentation of findings from BioBlitz. This hike is limited to 20 hikers.
- Sunday day hike. At 9 a.m. we'll set off on a 5-mile day-hike utilizing various trails, taking in numerous waterfalls and scenic views. We'll be back in time to drive to nearby Cashiers for the presentation of findings from BioBlitz. This hike is limited to 20 hikers.
To learn more about these events and sign up, go here.
