One of the most biodiverse spots in the nation, the Blue Ridge Parkway shouldn’t just be driven—it deserves to be seen on foot, with a naturalist leading the way. With your guide at the helm, you and your small group will hike to gorgeous waterfalls, up to panoramic mountain views, and through the technicolor meadows, hills, and valleys that make Asheville and the Pisgah National Forest so beloved.

Spend a half-day following in the footsteps of a naturalist
Witness several of the Asheville area's most prized waterfalls
Wander the Pisgah National Forest across ~3 miles for fantastic views
With a maximum of 9 travelers, you'll get a more personalized hiking experience

What's Included

Local guide
Hiking Poles
Ponchos
Air-conditioned vehicle

Gratuities
Snacks and water (available upon request if you do not bring your own)

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

1 River Arts Pl, Asheville, NC 28801, USA
Transportation provided from our storefront at 1 River Arts Place, Asheville, NC 28801. Free public parking is 100 yards past the storefront to the right. DO NOT PARK AT CURVE STUDIOS! Our shuttle vehicles are comfortable and clean, though forest roads limit vehicle size.

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

What To Expect

Your adventure into one of the most biodiverse spots on the planet starts in Asheville. After a quick shuttle ride up to the Blue Ridge Parkway—one of the most scenic roads in America— your naturalist guide leads you and your group on your first hike. You’ll learn all about the plants, animals, and even fungi that have thrived here in the Pisgah National Forest for thousands of years.

Over the next few hours, you’ll explore multiple landmarks—including Looking Glass Falls, Sliding Rock, and the Pisgah Fish Hatchery—hiking roughly 3 miles in total (though you’re welcome to stop when you need) and seeing multiple waterfalls. A bathroom break is provided mid-way through, as are “snacks,” if foraging is in season.

After you’ve seen mountains, meadows, valleys, waterfalls, and the spectacular vistas of the Blue Ridge Parkway, it’s back to Asheville via shuttle.

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Not wheelchair accessible
Child rate applies only when sharing with 2 paying adults
Service animals allowed

No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
Most travelers can participate
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 9 travelers

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.

Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Featured review

Allison_S

This was a wonderful way to immerse ourselves in the natural beauty of the area. Chaney, our guide, has an infectious enthusiasm and depth of knowledge about these mountains. We saw several waterfalls and had a teuky lovely day.

Reviews

5.0

481 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews

Reviews by Viator travelers.

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Showing 1-10 of 481 reviews

Bucket list experience!

Michelle_P, Apr 2024

Niko was very knowledgeable and taught us a lot along the trail, from edible plants to finding a baby salamander under a rock. We had a great time.

Nature Immersion

Allison_S, Apr 2024

Beauty beyond words and pictures.

Phillip_P, Apr 2024

I have lived most of my life in North Carolina and never went a tour of the Appalachian trails/waterfalls. Now I can say I have seen a very small portion of this area. Thank you Shannon and Anna for sharing your time with me. Sorry I didn't tip more but that's all the cash I had on me, fear of losing it on the trails. Great tour guides,♥️♥️♥️♥️

A good way to learn about a farest and park

PATRICK_M, Apr 2024

It was a father/daughter outing. Our tour guide Lili was awesome. She was able to relate to everyone on the tour. She showed us that as spring starts the forest is alive. We were introduced to wild mint and learnt that ground cover were trees a million years ago. We also treated to gorgeous waterfalls. It was a lot of fun!

Ian and the Blue Ridge Waterfalls Tour was Awesome!!!

Wendy_U, Apr 2024

My husband, 14 y.o. son and I all loved this hiking tour with Ian as our knowledgable guide! He was so awesome, knew a ton of information about so many things, was energetic, personable and really seemed to love what he is doing. He was patient with me as I am interested in photography and needed extra time at certain spots. He also was able to curate our tour based on our desire to avoid more popular and crowded waterfalls and see some "off-the-beaten-path" ones. I definitely would plan to go on more tours by this company and by Ian, in particular. Thank you!!

Peaceful and gorgeous hike and waterfall viewing

Maryann_D, Mar 2024

Great tour of three waterfalls. Our guide, Brooks, was knowledgeable and kind and made this an experience I’d do over again and for a longer period of time.

Beautiful Tour of the Blue Ridge Parkway

Latousha_J, Mar 2024

This was a wonderful tour. Our guide, Eli was amazing. She was quite knowledgeable of the area and plant life. She's also very passionate about what she does

Incredible tour of the...

Brett_F, Mar 2024

Incredible tour of the Blue Ridge Parkway with Chesney and Ian! Hiked to a couple of waterfalls and stopped to appreciate the view at various scenic overlooks. Tour guide had extensive knowledge of the flora/fauna and history of the land. 10/10 would recommend to a friend.

Moni is the best!

Kellie_H, Mar 2024

Our guide, Moni was so knowledgeable and enthusiastic! She taught us about bird identification and local plant species. We definitely connected and appreciated this news location. She made sure we were challenged at the level we wanted to hike. We had a fabulous time seeing numerous waterfalls! Would definitely recommend to anyone interested in a guide sensitive to your needs and flexible with what you want your experience to be.

A great hiking day

Miguelngel_S, Mar 2024

Excellent trip along a part of the Blue Ridge Pkwy and the Pisgah National Forest. We hiked a lot, which I liked. Many times tour companies advertise hikes and you end up driving in a car and hiking for less than a mile. We also saw lots of beautiful waterfalls. I’d recommend this tour to anyone looking for a nice day out in the forest

The happy hiker

Katrina_P, Feb 2024

Our guide, Shannon, pointed things out that we would have overlooked. She was fun and so knowledgeable of the woods.

Cool hidden waterfalls

Timothy_B, Feb 2024

Lots of cool waterfalls. Can’t beat getting off the beaten path with a local guide who is passionate about the area and the outdoors in general.

Highly recommend!

Helen_L, Dec 2023

Our guide, Eli, was fantastic. From the start, you could feel she was excited to show us Blue Ridge and the waterfalls. She asked each of us what kind of experience we were looking for and being an expert, accommodated each of our expectations. Eli was also very informative and knowledgeable, and just great to talk with in general. Her enjoyment of showing us the trails and the waterfalls was contagious. I can’t say enough wonderful things about the tour and Eli.

Would definitely do it again!

Paula_P, Dec 2023

Eli was an awesome guide and we were really fascinated by her educational aspects of the nature around us

Great experience !

Thiruvenkatasamy_S, Nov 2023

Great experience! Niko is a great tour guide! We had a great trip! Highly recommend them 🙂 Blue ridge parkway is a wonderful place for hiking and trekking experience!

Gorgeous sights

Julie_C, Nov 2023

Our guide Niko was excellent, very knowledgeable, loved the trails he took us on annd also saw beautiful waterfalls.

Excellent tour

cindy_r, Nov 2023

Shannon's love for the outdoors is inspiring! She's 1 of the best guides I've ever encountered. The hiking pace was comfortable so we could take pictures and enjoy the beautiful scenery. I highly appreciated and recommend this tour!

Great tour of fallls

Cynthia_M, Nov 2023

Nico was a great tour guide. Wasn’t rushed and went to 4 waterfalls. Great naturalist for the surrounding area and history. Some of the customers didn’t want to walk to falls anymore so you don’t have too if you are tired. Last two you can see from street. Only one bathroom stop half way through. Great tour

Waterfalls of Asheville NC

Holly_k, Nov 2023

My husband and I really enjoyed the waterfall trip. The people on the tour were very nice. The guide was excellent. She was very knowledgeable. I would never have seen these sights if I had gone on my own

Niko was a wonderful...

Judith_K, Oct 2023

Niko was a wonderful guide. He knows so much about the plants and fungi—we learned so much! It was so fun! Beautiful scenery and a great guide, wonderful trip!

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