Top Asheville Outdoor Activities

Discover Asheville’s noteworthy landmarks and architectural gems while covering plenty of ground. This 2.5-hour tour by electric bike lets you safely navigate Asheville’s hilly terrain. Follow your guide through city streets, greenways, and picturesque neighborhoods. At carefully chosen viewpoints, you’ll stop to hear the stories behind historical sites. Numbers are limited to seven riders per tour to ensure personalized attention.

As featured in Southern Living Magazine and MSN News, discover the authentic beauty of the Blue Ridge Parkway with a naturalist guide to show you the best vistas, photo spots, and waterfalls that make Asheville famous. This intimate, small-group tour makes it easy to get to know your experienced, expert guide and learn more about the region. -Learn about the area’s history, plants, and wildlife from your naturalist guide -Visit famous waterfalls and ones that most tourists miss -See the best of the Blue Ridge Parkway’s expansive mountain views

Follow your guide on a 45-minute horseback riding adventure at Arrowmont Stables and Cabins outside of Asheville, North Carolina. Choose from a variety of departure times, and ride the beautiful Fern Forest Trail, traveling through a dense forest on relatively flat terrain at 4,000 feet. This gentle trail, situated in the Nantahala National Forest, is suitable for all skill levels. Guided safety training plus a ‘test drive’ and helmet (mandatory for those under 18) are provided.

On this Waterfall Tours, you will get to enjoy the falls up close and with ease. We specialize in taking tours to hidden gems and locally-known waterfalls, uncluttered by foot traffic and crowds.

As featured in Southern Living Magazine and MSN News, discover the authentic beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains with a naturalist guide to show you the best vistas, trails and waterfalls that make Asheville famous. On a Covid-safe, family-friendly and even dog-friendly excursion, we will visit the highlights of our National Forests in just a few hours. Food foraging and fascinating stories shared on all our tours!

Take a spooky stroll through the streets of downtown Asheville on this ghost walking tour. Led by an expert local guide, learn about the area’s hair-raising tales and dark history, like the woman who haunts the Omni Grove Park Inn, the body entombed in the wall of the Basilica of St. Lawrence and much more. It's a fascinating, spine-tingling adventure.

Discover the best of Asheville on this 2-Hour Public or Private Guided Sightseeing Walking Tour with Local Guide. As you take in some of the historical city sites, make your way over to a few local cafes, breweries, and distilleries for some bonus tastings. This tip-based tour allows you to pay what you think it’s worth in the end! You will learn how Asheville became the unique, quirky city you see now and what we are doing to "Keep Asheville Weird." Your Local Guide will lead you along the Urban Trail, passing by top sites such as the Flatiron Building, Basilica of St Lawrence, Vance Memorial, and Grove Arcade. Stop along the way for a private tour of Leaf Global Arts Center spirits at Cultivated Cocktails Distillery, and a beer at Twin Leaf Brewery (tickets provided for BOGO at the end) Tastings are provided by local businesses who provide them when open/available. No spirits on Tuesdays

Hike the best of the Blue Ridge Parkway on this guided day trip to three scenic waterfalls from Asheville. Take in views of the mountains as you tour the classic road in a comfortable van and hear stories about the area’s natural history and culture from your local guide. Watch for blooming laurels and rhododendron as you walk the easy to moderate trails through lush oak and hickory forests. Enjoy light refreshments along the way with plenty of time to relax by the falls before returning to Asheville.

Horseback riding through the Blue Ridge Mountains is a beautiful way to explore the area’s natural attractions. Trot through fern groves, past rows of wild flame azaleas, and into a white pine forest on well-trained, gentle horses. This tour includes a safety training, too, making it a good choice for beginner horseback riders and children.

Asheville by Foot’s remarkable guided walking tours will help you make the most of your Asheville experience. Whether you’re visiting Asheville for the first time or the tenth, with Asheville by Foot you’ll develop a deep appreciation for Asheville’s rich history, stunning architecture and unique culture. This is Asheville’s definitive tour, walking or otherwise, and is led by the most knowledgeable guides in the city. Have an amazing experience becoming an Asheville insider as you explore the city’s rich history, stunning architecture and unique culture. Enjoy an insider’s access to a number of hidden gems reachable only by foot as you tour one of the country’s most unique cities.

Cycle to five of Asheville’s most popular microbreweries, enjoying a drink (or two) at each location. You’ll be riding a state-of-the-art e-bike, so the hills won’t be a problem. In addition to soaking up the local vibe and great scenery, you’ll sample some of the best craft brews in town. If you like beer and bikes, you'll love this tour.

Get out of town for a half-day hike up to scenic waterfalls with this small-group hiking experience for up to four people. Your certified naturalist guide will lead you and your group on a challenging hike up to beautiful waterfalls, teaching you how to identify local plant life along the way.

Take time for yourself, breathe deep, relax, and immerse yourself in the beauty of our lovely Blue Ridge Mountains! Enjoy a 2 mile round trip hike to a mountaintop with stunning views plus an hour of yoga for all levels at the summit. We’ll bring the mats. You bring your spirit of adventure! PRIVATE OPTION: Want a private yoga hike? Contact us to schedule your hike any day of the week. NEW! Sunset yoga hikes now available daily for private groups of 4+. Contact us for details. WANT MORE? Add a massage at your vacation rental, farm-to-table cooking class, group tarot reading, or one of dozens of other uniquely Asheville experiences to your day for a full, balanced adventure. Visit our website for details and options.

Asheville is known for its fantastic views of the Appalachian mountains. On this half-day tour, take a scenic bike ride along Blue Ridge Parkway with easy aboard an electric bike. First, bike through quaint Asheville communities before ascending Patton Mountain, with ease. Take in the views before descending and grabbing a drink at a historic hotel.

During our Private Half Day Hikes, you and your guide will check out one of our favorite hikes in the Asheville area! Hikes are tailored to your preferences, with options available from easy to challenging. On average, hikes are easy to moderate, approximately 3-5 miles. Choose from waterfalls, mountain views, or beautiful forested paths! Hike options include Dupont State Forest, Graveyard Fields, Black Balsam Knob, John Rock, Rattlesnake Lodge, the Appalachian Trail, and more! Snacks are included; please specify dietary restrictions when booking. Transportation is available for an additional fee; call us in advance to confirm vehicle availability. Group size is limited to 6 hikers. Blue Ridge Hiking Company has been in business for 13 years; we believe the trail is there for everyone at every phase of life. We have a team of professional guides with a variety of different backgrounds who have a wealth of knowledge on local fora, fauna, and history of the area.

Explore the historic French Broad River in Asheville on a stand-up paddleboard during this guided, 2.5-hour, small-group tour. Float through the city’s calm, downtown waterway and learn about the history of the region while participating in one of Asheville’s most popular activities. Paddleboarding experience is helpful but not necessary. All equipment — paddleboard, paddle, personal flotation device, leash, river booties and dry bag — are included.

We will begin at our shop in North Asheville as the sun gets low in the sky. After we take some time to get custom sized and aquatinted with the e bikes we will set out on our ride up the beautiful mountains that surround Asheville. We will climb up to a breathtaking overlook where we will stop for some refreshments as the light grows long in the Asheville valley down below. During this time of day, much of the wildlife in Asheville is the most active, and we will be sure to take our time enjoying any of the diverse critters who may cross our path during our ride. After stopping by the historic veranda at the Grove Park Inn, we will conclude watching the last rays of sun fade over Southern Appalachia from a local Asheville brewery.

We’ll work directly with you to create a custom, private tour that is perfect for you and your photography interests. Together we'll pick locations that fit your interests and your desired amount of hiking, from a couple of miles to no hiking at all. This is ideal for travelers looking to go off the beaten path. And we pick you up! We offer small, private tours that focus on helping you capture better photos. Our tours take you to the most breathtaking locations across the Blue Ridge Mountains that only the locals know about. Our award-winning photographers know the Blue Ridge Mountains better than anyone else in the area! We are currently open and taking safety precautions for our guests! Visit our website to learn how we're handling COVID.

Take a kayak trip along the French Broad River with this semi-private tour led by a naturalist. You'll paddle through town, passing local attractions such as the Biltmore Estate along the way. Your guide will be on hand to provide narration and answer any question you have about the natural world around you.

Paddle 7 miles (11 km) with a private guide on the picturesque French Broad River. You’ll pass by Asheville’s massive Biltmore Estate and hear about its history. Learn stand-up paddleboarding tips and techniques from your SUP instructor and keep an eye out for native wildlife like turtles, herons, otters, and osprey. Enjoy the fresh air and exercise during a morning or afternoon.

The French Broad river spans 218 miles from Rosman, North Carolina through Asheville, and toward the state of Tennessee. Section 9 of the French Broad river starts approximately 45 minutes away from Asheville near Marshall, North Carolina and runs through the Pisgah National Forest. The majority of French Broad Section 9 flows through protected lands, and is beginner-friendly. Your guide will navigate you through approximately 4 miles of Section 9, where you will raft through class II and class III difficulty levels, and you may briefly encounter class IV drops depending on the time of year, and the amount of rainfall. This tour combines an incredible stretch of exciting and continuous rapids with some of the most breathtaking scenery around.

Discover the scenic views, mountain trails, wildlife, and plants of the Blue Ridge Mountains with a local guide to lead the way. With so much to see in the region, nature lovers can get overwhelmed deciding where to go and what attractions to prioritize. By traveling with a guide you don’t have to worry about the logistics and can rest assured you don’t miss any of the highlights.

Experience a scenic and memorable guided horseback riding adventure at Arrowmont Stables and Cabins outside of Asheville, North Carolina. Choose from a wide variety of departure times, then ride the beautiful Flame Azalea Trail, traveling through hardwood and white pine forests, plus open meadows with majestic, elevated views of the all-American Blue Ridge Parkway. Get to know the horses in advance. Guided safety training plus a ‘test drive’ and helmet (mandatory for those under 18) are provided.

Excite Your Senses' as we stroll down the concrete drive and I explain the importance and management of productive pastures. The ranch manages the pastures with a rotational grazing system, so keep your eye out for the herd. We want visitors to experience the sights and smells of the farm while discussing the cattles health, and nutrient requirements There are many photo opportunities. In addition, you will see many conservation practices used to protect the farms resources, water quality and environment. ​ Buses, RV's and pets are welcome. Farm Lodge, RV Ranch and a picnic area are available with plenty of parking. Shop at our Farm Store and consider grilling out while you relax in our picnic area enjoying the beautiful views of the mountains. (fees apply)