Overnight Trips

Guided Overnight Trip Offerings

With over 100 miles of permitted trail - including 55 miles on the Appalachian Trail - Blue Ridge Hiking Company offers a wide array of Multi-Day Hikes, Backpacking Trips, and Supported Overnights to meet the needs of every group. 

Multi-Day Hikes

Create a Custom Day Hike Itinerary

Camping isn't for everyone. We get it. That's why we offer customized multi-day itineraries. Once you chose your desired lodge, hotel or B&B, we will work with you to craft a series of full and half day hikes that will showcase some of the best hiking trails in Western North Carolina - and still have you back in time for a dinner and a shower.

Backpacking

Private Trips

You provide the group; we provide the planning, gear, food, and awesome guide. Our private overnights range from a 2-day/1-night trip to a week long adventure. The price is based on the number of clients and duration of the trip. So grab your family, college roommates, or co-workers and experience the adventure of backpacking! 

Supported Hikes

Slack-packing and Shuttles

Do you like hiking and you don't mind sleeping in the woods, but you hate carrying all that gear? Or perhaps your body isn't so into carrying a heavy pack? No problem! Blue Ridge Hiking Company can create a personalized itinerary that will allow you to hike during the day and then meet a guide who will deliver your food and gear to the trail. He will also help assemble and breakdown equipment and assist with camp chores. A fabulous choice for new folks to spending the night in the woods but love to hike!
 

Group Outings

Blue Ridge Hiking Company offers 6-8 group outings each annually. These trips are designed to showcase the best of our trails during the best seasons. Many of our group outings will have themes such as a Multigenerational Hike, our popular Women's Backpacking Weekend, or a Spring Wildflower Trip.  These outings are a great value and a wonderful path to new friendships.

Don’t see a trip that fits your group needs? Contact us! In the past we have designed team-building trips, challenge hikes, and far more backcountry offerings that can fit on this website. 828-713-5451, trips@blueridgehikingco.com

Group Trips for 2019

Click on the listings below for pricing and booking information!

All Group Trips will run with a minimum of 2 participants

March 14-17, 2019: Thru Hiker Shakedown on the Appalachian Trail

a great way to get in shape for your next adventure on the mother trail with some seasoned pros!

April 12-14, 2019: Women's Appalachian Trail Backpacking Trip- FULL
a ladies only weekend that helps test out your trail legs and make new friends!

April 19-21, 2019: Women's Appalachian Trail Backpacking Trip- FULL
a ladies only weekend that helps test out your trail legs and make new friends!

May 17-19, 2019: Day Hike (and camp on) the Appalachian Trail
lugging gear not for you? solo hike or trail run with guide support.

June 1-2nd 2019: Women's Beginner Backpacking Trip
a ladies only beginner backpacking trip in Shinning Rock Wilderness.

June 9-14, 2019: Women's Appalachian Trail Backpacking Trip - Extended Cut
a ladies only 6 days and 5 nights out trip to test limits and get off of the grid.

June 21, 2019: Ultra on the Art Loeb Trail
check out the greatest scenery in the southeast by hiking all day on the longest day of the year.

June 27th - 30th 2019: Ultralight Endurance Challenge on the Appalachian Trail 
​a 3 day, 50 mile backpacking challenge with ultralight gear provided.

July 19 - 21st 2019: Women's Appalachian Trail Backpacking Trip
​a ladies only weekend that helps test our your trail legs and make new friends!

...and more still to come! Check back for additional offerings! 

Guide Profiles:

	Sarah Matzke Appalachian Trail and Long Trail thru-hiker and long distance backpacker, having sectioned the Continental Divide Trail, North Country Trail, Colorado Trail, Ozark Highland Trail, and the Mountains to Sea trail.  I am a mother of two very young children and am also certified in Kripalu, Vinyasa, and Kundalini yoga as well as therapeutics, teaching specific yoga classes to hikers since 2011. If there are any injuries you are working with, feel free to ask for tips! I love to share nature with others, and am excited about showing some highlights of my favorite place in the country, the Blue Ridge!
	Caitlynne Cash Caet has backpacked over 6,000 miles all over the United States, including thru hikes of the Appalachian, Colorado, and Pacific Crest Trails. She has summited all of the major 46 mountains in New York State's Adirondack Park, the 35 highest in the Catskill Park, as well as all 41 peaks above 6,000 feet east of the Mississippi River. She has been a backpacking and wilderness guide in New York, Vermont and North Carolina helping children and adults experience everything from their first overnight in the woods to multi night adventures on the Appalachian Trail. Whether it is a half day hike searching for salamanders along the Yellowstone Prong to finding the perfect overlooks for the photographer's eye, she is passionate about helping folks find their place in the outdoors.
	Francisco Miller​ Francisco was born and raised in Ohio, where he developed a love for the outdoors at an early age exploring the forests and rivers of the Midwest with family.  In 2014 he decided to sell almost all of his belongings and thru-hike the Appalachian Trail.  He then completed the Pacific Crest Trail in 2015 and the Continental Divide Trail in 2016.  After moving to Asheville, NC to start a new life in the mountains, he knew that sharing his passion for life and the outdoors as a backpacking guide was the only way to go.
	David Schafer  David was born and raised outside of Asheville, where the beauty of western North Carolina helped his love for the outdoors blossom. He has hiked over 9,000 miles all across North America, including thru-hikes of the Appalachian Trail, Pacific Crest Trail, and Continental Divide Trail, as well as the Benton Mackaye Trail, Colorado Trail, and Long Trail. Additionally, David is a graduate of the Creative Writing program at Warren Wilson College and is glad to help people reflect on their environment through the written word.
	Sarah Mickler Sarah Mickler lives in her hand-built Tiny House on a homestead outside of Asheville where she grows vegetables and medicinal herbs, tends the farm animals, and watches her honey bees. She has been guiding in the Southeast for six years and her goal is to help folks get a sense of place by teaching them the local history and culture as well as the secret lives of the different plants and animals of the ecosystem. She wants her guests to develop a connection with the place that they will remember the rest of their lives.
	Melissa Adamo Melissa was born and raised in upstate NY where her parents instilled an appreciation for spending time in the outdoors at a young age.  She went on to chase the "American Dream" with a corporate career near Boston into her late twenties leaving her feeling underwhelmed and overworked.  In 2011 she left it all behind and promised herself a life of adventure moving forward.  Over the years since, she has done a road trip to the Arctic Ocean, lived in Panama for several months and a winter learning to back country ski in the Rockies.  She is also an avid rock climber, believing the subtle body movement and mental focus required is a unique way to interact with nature.  Out of them all, Melissa thinks of her Appalachian Trail thru-hike in 2015 as the turning point; proving to herself that she could hike from Georgia to Maine marked the entrance into independent womanhood.  She is passionate about sharing her experience and inspiring others to take off on their own adventures.

FAQ - Overnights

— I don't have any gear. Is that a problem?

Blue Ridge Hiking Company can provide tents, sleeping bags, sleeping pads, and backpacks. We also pack group use gear such as water filters, camp stoves, cookware, rope, maps and compass. Hikers are responsible for bringing all personal items mentioned in the General Information PDF.

— How many miles will we hike each day?

Private Groups can easily customize their mileage to fit their needs, so if new to backpacking, you may want to consider this option! We work with all body types and levels of difficulty. 

The group outings usually cover 6-12 miles per day over moderate terrain. 
 

— Do I have to be in good shape? 

In order to hike in the mountains and carry a backpack, you should be able to walk several miles through your neighborhood without taking a break. The majority of our trips are suited for beginner to intermediate hikers but there is nothing easy about backpacking. If you are in good shape you will enjoy the hike more.

— What can I do to get in shape? 

Simply taking the dog for a walk with a backpack with some weight on it can help out quite a bit. Coming from a flat area and concerned about elevation gain and loss? Try climbing up and down stairs with weight. 

— What about food? 

Blue Ridge Hiking Company provides ample food on our overnight trips. We offer a wide array of standard backpacking food including dehydrated dinner pouches, dried fruits and nuts, granola bars and oatmeal. We like to throw some fresh fruits and veggies in the pack for snacks and there is always some chocolate or treats for after dinner. And, yes, we pack instant coffee for breakfast. Please let us know of dietary restrictions and preferences in advance. We are happy to accommodate when possible.  

— But, I'm still not sure what to pack? 

Before each Blue Ridge Hiking Company overnight the guide offers a "shakedown" to make sure you have all necessary gear in your pack. She might also recommend that you leave a any unnecessary personal items behind. Carrying too much weight in your backpack will reduce your hiking pace and increase your risk of injury. The General Information PDF offers a comprehensive packing list. 

General Information

Please download this PDF to find out more information on our standard backpacking list. This helpful brochure will list packing instructions and hike expectations.

download general info 

Want to talk about it? 

Click here to send us an email about your specifics! 

articles & media

• Conde Nast Traveler
• Experience Life Magazine
• National Geographic
• Men's Journal
• the new york times
• Running Times
• Women's Adventure Magazine
• Blue Ridge Outdoors
• Roanoke News
• National Parks Traveler
• ESPN
• NPR
• Washington Post Express