Included:

• • An experienced, local hiking guide with extensive knowledge of the area (all guides are certified in Wilderness First Aid (or higher) and CPR)
  • 3-day Pisgah National Forest backpacking trip
  • Accommodation for 2 nights in backcountry camps
  • All trail food
  • Backpacking gear (backpack, tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, trekking poles)
  • Transportation between Asheville and the trailhead
  • Backcountry permits and fees
  • A pre-trip video call

Not included:

• • Transportation to and from Asheville
  • Personal clothing, footwear, and toiletries
  • Anything not mentioned in the “Included” section above
  • Insurance — recommended, available to add at checkout
  • Guide gratuities — optional

Good fitness is required for this Pisgah National Forest backpacking trip, along with a willingness to carry your own gear and food across three days on trail. Hikers should be comfortable completing a 10-mile (16 km) hike on hilly terrain or a 12-mile (19 km) walk on flat ground.

No prior backpacking experience is necessary, but a baseline of hiking fitness and comfort being active multiple days in a row makes for a better trip.

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Here’s a list of the equipment you need to bring:

• • Trail-appropriate clothing and footwear (synthetic or wool, not cotton)
  • A raincoat and a warm layer
  • A beanie and lightweight gloves for cool mountain nights
  • Two 1L water bottles
  • A headlamp
  • Personal medications and toiletries

Dress comfortably and for the weather in clothes you can move in. We suggest bringing clothing appropriate for the season. Layers are best and don’t wear jeans.

A detailed packing list is sent by the guide several weeks before departure.

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Group sizes and pricing

• • For this Pisgah National Forest backpacking tour, the usual client-to-guide ratio is 6:1. 
  • It takes a minimum of 2 people for this tour to operate. The maximum group size is set at 6 participants.

A Pisgah National Forest backpacking tour can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.

Min. age requirements

• • If you are older than 18, you’re good to go.
  • Minors older than 14 may be permitted to join the Pisgah National Forest backpacking tour on a case-by-case basis, but must be in the presence of a parent or legal guardian.

If your group has participants under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.

A single occupancy room is not available on this Pisgah National Forest backpacking tour because we’ll be sleeping in tents.

The starting point of your Pisgah National Forest backpacking tour is Asheville, North Carolina. To get there, most people fly into Asheville Regional Airport (AVL) or Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT). From there, you can take a shuttle service, public transport, or rent a car to reach Asheville.

You will meet your guide at 9 am in downtown Asheville on Day 1.

The exact meeting address is sent in the booking confirmation and pre-trip emails.

We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with insurance. To make your booking and traveling experience as carefree as possible, you’ll be offered to simply insure your trip with Redpoint at checkout.

Redpoint—the official 57hours insurance partner—tailors protection packages for adventure travel, offering a comprehensive travel program, even in remote locations! Trip cancellation, natural disasters, pandemic coverage, medical evacuation, primary medical expenses—regardless of the travel interruption that may happen, Redpoint will have you covered.