Why not join us on one of our favorite sections of the Appalachian Trail for a 3-day backpacking trip? It’s a fantastic way to experience the great outdoors, whether it’s your first trip or your 100th! We’ll cover around 20 miles (32 km) of mostly rolling terrain, with a couple of challenging uphill sections to keep things interesting. You’ll pick up all the skills you need to tackle a backpacking trip and leave feeling ready to hit the trail again. This trip is perfect for those who have some hiking experience or maintain a regular fitness routine. Plus, it’s a great opportunity for seasoned backpackers to share their passion for the trail with others. Let’s make some wonderful memories together!
Born and raised in South Carolina, Amy grew up hiking in the Carolinas. Her love for backpacking started on the Appalachian Trail with her first overnight trip in 2012. Since then, she has thru hiked all of the triple crown trails - Appalachian Trail, Continental Divide Trail, and Pacific Crest Trail - along with other trails throughout the US, totaling over 8,000 miles of backpacking.
Born and raised in Georgia, Hannah’s love of the outdoors began while digging for worms in the mud and playing in the red clay. Her passion for being in nature has grown since then and she has backpacked over 3,500 miles including a southbound thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail in 2013, sections of the Pacific Crest Trail, and many smaller backcountry trails in between!
Heidi grew up in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains and after graduating from Winthrop University with a BFA in Painting and Printmaking, she found herself falling in love with hiking and the outdoors. She thru-hiked the A.T. in 2018 and kept a detailed sketchbook of watercolor paintings to document her travels. She has since hiked a number of shorter trails and enjoys finding new ways to incorporate her creative practice into hiking.
Born in the Catskills of NY and raised in the Blue Ridge of NC, Adam has always called the mountains of Appalachia home. Having survived a childhood of blissful, unsupervised galavanting through the local woods, he derives great joy in sharing his love of the natural world with others, and has yet to meet an outdoor activity he doesn’t like!
What you get on this adventure:
What’s not included:
This 3-day, 20-mile backpacking trip is ideally suited for hikers with good fitness levels and no prior backpacking experience. However, all hikers should have prior hiking experience and be comfortable enough on trail that they can hike for up to an hour on their own. Hikers using all of the gear typically carry approximately 25-30 lbs/ 11.5-13.5 kg, including food and water.
Hikers should be active 3-5 times per week (eg. walking 30 minutes). This is similar to someone who works an active job (eg. retail work or construction).
Your guide will send you a detailed list of everything you’ll need a few weeks before the trip.
Here’s a list of things your guide can provide at no additional cost:
We will ask for your height and weight in order to fit the pack appropriately to you. Please let us know if you’d like to bring your own gear.
Here’s a list of the equipment you need to bring:
Dress comfortably and for the weather in clothes you can move in. Please pack synthetic or wool athletic clothing rather than cotton. Cotton does not dry quickly and will not keep you warm when wet. For most trips you will need only one outfit to hike in and one outfit to sleep in.
You will not need a new set of clean clothes for each day, make-up, hair products, scented products or deodorant. Just bring a toothbrush and toothpaste and enjoy going all natural for the trip!
Hikers are able to choose their meals and snacks from an assortment of trail-friendly options. That way, each hiker gets the types and amount of food that best suit their needs and preferences. Exact menu options vary throughout the season, but generally consist of the following:
Most dietary restrictions can be accommodated with advanced notice.
Lodging is provided at the guides’ bunkhouse on the Appalachian Trail. The bunkhouse can accommodate up to 10 hikers in 2 bunkrooms (one sleeps 6, the other sleeps 4). There are 2 full bathrooms. Additionally, all guests have access to our common areas – a living room, kitchen and dining room, and large front porch.
WiFi access, linens, and morning coffee/tea are provided for all overnight guests. The bunkhouse has a live-in caretaker.
Group sizes and pricing
Min. age requirements
All tours for women will be guided by female guides.
Our all-women’s hiking trips are about comraderie, teamwork, feminine energy, and great conversations under starry skies. All these pieces come together to create profound, encouraging, and transformative adventures in some of the most impressive natural destinations in the world, led by some of the best women guides in the business.
This hike includes several exposed balds, so weather can change quickly, and can be up to 20 degrees cooler than in Asheville, NC. June and September are the best times to visit, for the summer rhododendron blooms and fall foliage.
This hike will happen rain or shine! While it is incredibly rewarding, backpacking is an endurance sport, and it can be challenging and/or uncomfortable at times. Maintaining a positive mindset, even when it is uncomfortable, is key to enjoying your time in the wilderness. With our focus on lightweight gear, our goal is for your pack to weigh around 25 lbs/ 11.5 kg (or no more than 25% of your body weight).
To get to Hot Springs, NC, most people fly into the Asheville Regional Airport, 1 hour away. From there, you can rent a car or take a shuttle service to get to your meeting point.
You will meet your guide at Blue Ridge Hiking Company’s Appalachian Trail-er Bunkhouse (200 Lance Ave, Hot Springs, NC 28743). The guide will choose the appropriate terrain and your adventure is ready to begin.
We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with both emergency medical and travel insurance.
With medical insurance, if you have an accident or medical emergency on or off the mountain, you’ll avoid paying out of pocket for costly expenses. This covers everything from hospital treatments to emergency air transportation and more. Travel insurance covers canceled flights, natural disasters and other scenarios that may interrupt your travel plans.
We also expect clients to respect local regulations and take measures to protect themselves, guides and the communities they’re traveling to. For more information on tourism and safety on the Appalachian Trail, please refer to the official website of the State of North Carolina.
If you need assistance selecting the right insurance for your group, let us know and we will be happy to help!
Deposits
Secure your spot with a 30% deposit upon booking! The remaining 70% of the trip price must be paid 90 days prior to departure at the latest. If booking within 90 days of departure, the full amount is required at the time of booking.
Cancellations
Booking fees are non-refundable after a 48-hour grace period. During checkout, however, you can choose one of 57hours’ flexibility options—Basic, Flexible, or Super Flexible. Depending on which one you choose, a different cancellation policy will apply to your booking.
Basic
Flexible
Super Flexible
Early bird booking
Want to be the first one to know when we publish new dates or secure your spot well in advance? Select a future month that suits you best and lock in your early bird spot in time with just a 10% deposit.
As soon as our guides publish new tour dates, you’ll be the first one to know. We’ll hold your spot for 2 weeks until you choose the date that suits you best.
More about how early bird bookings work below:
Our guide was an awesome leader! She was so kind and knowledgeable. She made each of us feel welcome.