Job Openings
Blue Ridge Hiking Company (BRHC) is looking for enthusiastic, outgoing hikers and adventurers to serve as contract hiking guides for our 2026 season. Our trips take place on the Appalachian Trail, Mountains-to-Sea Trail, and Art Loeb Trail, as well as in other areas of Pisgah National Forest, DuPont State Forest, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and along the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Core Guide
Core Guides are responsible for leading Half-Day Hikes, Full-Day Hikes, and Multi-Day Backpacking Trips. Guides will uphold our Mission and Vision and be adaptable to a variety of situations. They will act as good stewards of the land by practicing Leave No Trace principles and instructing their groups to do the same. Guides may be asked to perform additional client-facing or internal hourly work (e.g., driving shuttles, cleaning gear, moving vehicles) as needed.
Core Guides must provide a minimum of 8 days of availability per month, March through October. Availability must include at least one 3-day weekend (Friday–Sunday) per month. Any periods longer than 10 days with no availability must be disclosed in advance. Our busiest seasons are May, June, and weekends in October. Core Guides are given the freedom to manage their own availability on BRHC’s website, as long as it meets the minimum monthly requirement.
Required Qualifications
- Wilderness First Aid (or higher) and CPR certifications
- A 16-hour Wilderness First Aid certification from SOLO, NOLS, Red Cross, Landmark Learning, or a comparable provider that includes in-person scenario. CPR courses must include in-person practice and testing; shortened courses or courses offered entirely online are not accepted. Discounted registration for our WFA and CPR course (March 14–15, 2026) is available to all BRHC guides
- A reliable car, valid driver’s license, cell phone, email access, a clean driving record, and the ability to pass a background check
- Basic computer skills, including Google Suite
- Strong social skills, both in person and over the phone
- The ability and willingness to work with people of all backgrounds and experience levels
Preferred Qualifications
The most successful applicants will also have:
- Experience guiding hikes
- Experience hiking in all seasons and over various types of terrain
- Confidence in group management, risk management, and decision-making
- The ability to think on your feet and adapt to changing circumstances
- Familiarity with trails across Western North Carolina
- Experience in the outdoor industry; on long-distance trails (e.g., Appalachian Trail, Pacific Crest Trail); and/or knowledge of local flora/fauna, geology, history, foraging, photography, etc.
This is a 1099 Independent Contractor position. The more availability you have, the more hikes you can lead; guide assignments are dependent upon client bookings, and a certain number, type, or regularity of bookings is not guaranteed. Guides typically work solo on trail, with a maximum guide-to-client ratio of 1:9 (1:10 for larger groups with multiple guides).
Guides are paid a flat rate per trip, which covers time spent communicating with the client and Management Team before the trip, leading the trip, and completing any necessary post-trip communication. Hourly work is paid at a standard hourly rate, which is set at the beginning of each season.
At this time, we are only considering candidates currently based in the Asheville, NC area. Trips typically start and finish in Asheville, NC, Hot Springs, NC, or Pisgah Forest, NC.
How to Apply
To apply for this position, please submit your resume, cover letter, and three professional references via email to trips@blueridgehikingco.com by January 20, 2026. Your cover letter should include anticipated availability March through October, 2026. First-round interviews will be held in late January, with second-round interviews in early February. Guide training will be held March 2–4, 2026; attendance at Guide Training is mandatory.
