Walking The World

“Our guide was a violinist in a Bluegrass trio. They played for us while we had cheese and wine on the patio overlooking Grandfather’s Peak.”

October 14 - 20, 2006

Land Cost: $2,095 U.S.
Single Supplement Rate: $400 U.S.
Trip Begins: Asheville, NC 9 am
Trip Ends: Asheville, NC 12 Noon
Lodging: Bed & Breakfasts

Detailed Itinerary
What we Provide

The northwest corner of North Carolina, our home for this 7-day trip, offers us a wealth of scenic hikes that offer us beautiful vistas, verdant hardwood forests, cascading waterfalls and meandering streams. We’ll base our hikes out of Little Switzerland, NC, for the first three days before traveling north and east to Banner Elk, NC, for our final four days.

In October the mountains become an artist’s palette of brilliant color: red, gold, green, and yellow are liberally splashed upon the slopes. In the western mountains of North Carolina there are over 40 peaks with elevations greater than 6,000 feet, and 80 peaks between 5,000 and 6,000 feet, including Mt. Mitchell, which at 6,684’ is the state’s highest peak. The forest is surely one of nature’s glories, with over 100 species of native trees: oak, hickory, walnut, pecan, magnolia, birch, beech, basswood, ash, dogwood, maple, and poplar. We’ll be able to identify many of these from our vantage points on the trails.

During our time in this unique natural setting, we’ll also visit one of the world’s finest craft museums, meet a blacksmith named as one of the country’s national living treasures, visit with Ira Thomas whose family has been certified as the nation’s oldest mining family, search for precious emeralds and sapphires and learn about woodworking from “Woody,” named in 1995 as a living treasure of North Carolina.

If you’ve ever wanted to explore the beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains, lace up your boots and join us for this unique adventure!

This itinerary may be changed at the discretion of the trip leader.
( B = Breakfast included, L = Lunch included, D = Dinner included )

We do not expect any significant changes to this itinerary. However, in the spirit of adventure, we allow for some flexibility so that we can take advantage of new opportunities.

Pre-Trip... We suggest the Asheville Comfort Suites, located at 890 Brevard Rd., Asheville – Phone 800-622-4005, Fax 828-665-9082. There is a shuttle to the hotel from the airport.

Adventure Trips: North Carolina

Day 1... Our day begins at 9:00AM when we board our 15-passenger van and head for the small town of Little Switzerland, NC, by way of the Blue Ridge Parkway, a scenic highway stretching from Great Smokey Mountains National Park to Shenandoah National Park. Along the way we can choose from a variety of stops including the North Carolina Arboretum Gardens, the Folk Art Center and any number of scenic overlooks. We will also enjoy some short walks adjacent to the Parkway for a wonderful introduction to North Carolina and the week ahead. The Switzerland Inn, our home for the next three nights, exudes an Old World charm and was built in 1910. The hotel has a swimming pool, shuffle board court and did we mention the balconies off of each room offering sweeping 100-mile views of mountain peaks and valleys? Welcome dinner and orientation to the week’s activities. D

Day 2 - Big Butt Trail... This trail may have a funny name but scenery and wildlife abound. Our hike takes us through a boreal forest, a remnant of the Pre-Ice Age ecosystem very similar to that in Canada nearly 1,000 miles to the North. We’ll keep our eyes peeled for squirrels, both Northern Flying and Red, slate colored Junco nests, ruffed grouse, and we’ll learn more about the many different mosses and lichens growing so prolifically in this area. Our lunch spot offers us views of almost the entire Black Mountain Range that contains more peaks over 6,000 feet than anywhere else east of the Rockies. Our hike includes a traverse across a narrow ridge, with excellent views of the thickly forested terrain that slopes downward from us nearly 3,000 feet. Above us, in the deep blue of the clear skies, ravens use the heated thermals as their playground. Ravens are the largest of the 3 species of crows in North America and are considered to be the most intelligent of all birds. The Cherokee people revere the Raven above all other animals. Ravens emit over 90 different recorded sounds, so listen carefully while you amble along the trail. 6.5 miles, 600-ft elevation gain. B, L, D

Day 3... Taking the Blue Ridge Parkway again, our path to a variety of possible hikes for today, we’ll head to one of our favorite trails, Snowball Mountain. This trail is relatively unknown by most travelers and offers us peaceful, quiet views of Hawkbill Rock. On our way to Snowball Mountain, we’ll pass by unique and puzzling rock formations at Snowball Gap. There are two protected watersheds in the vicinity, so we’re hoping to see a great variety of wildlife today. 7 miles, 500 feet elevation gain. B, L

Adventure Trips: North Carolina

Day 4... Today we visit a few of the people who make up the well known heritage of these mountains. We’ll have the opportunity to meet and talk with some of the area’s master craftsmen, including Ira Thomas, whose family has been designated by the Smithsonian Institution as the nation’s oldest mining family, Arval J. Woody, representing a fifth generation of fine chair makers and “Bea,” a local blacksmith voted a national living treasure by the U.S. Congress. From our new home at Archer’s Mountain Inn, we will enjoy a fine sunset as it sets over the valley and Grandfather Mountain. B, L, D

Day 5... Grassy Ridge Bald Trail, a Section of the Appalachian Trail. Today’s hike is a gem as our trail takes us to natural mountain balds, offering 150-mile views in every direction, and through fragrant balsam forests. This is one of the “Crown Jewels” of the Appalachian Trail and includes a walk to Grassy Ridge Bald (Elev. 6288), the northernmost mountain higher than 6,000 feet in the Appalachian chain until you reach Mt Washington in New Hampshire. We’ll enjoy views of an ocean of mountain tops marching into the distance, punctuated only by the idyllic valleys that dot the area. This is truly one of the best trails in the southern Appalachians, if not the entire United States. 6.5-miles, 1,000’ elevation gain. B, L, D

Day 6... Little Lost Cove Cliffs Trail. This trail takes us to the top of 2000-foot cliffs that are covered in lichens and mosses that grow in multi- colored mats. Our walk takes us through two wilderness study areas, to a number of spectacular waterfalls, and through sections of old-growth hardwood. You’ll love this trail! Enjoy our farewell dinner at Archer’s Inn this evening while savoring a final look at the color drenched hillsides. 4.7 miles, 750-foot elevation gain. B, L, D

Day 7... After a hearty breakfast, Bid a fond farewell to Archer’s Inn and the fall beauty of North Carolina and travel to Asheville for our flights home. You can book your flight any time after 12:00, Noon. B

Walking The World Guide
Local Guide
6 nights lodging (double occupancy)
All ground transportation while on tour
All admission fees to scheduled stops
Unique and original Journal of your trip
6 breakfasts, 5 lunches, and 5 dinners
Walking The World Shirt or Hat
Good fun, humor, and companionship

Read about North Carolina

MAKE IT SIMPLE...
Simply make your travel arrangements through our agency - New Horizons Travel.
Working with Sarah-Miles Clark at New Horizons Travel, 1-800-864-4364,
will assist both you and us in negotiating the best rates and in the overall coordination of your trip plans. If you choose to use another agency, we must receive a copy of your detailed travel itinerary with your final full payment 60 days in advance of the trip. This information enables us to meet you at the airport whenever possible and to see that you are returned conveniently for your departure.

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