Hike to 15 of Carolinas’ most beautiful waterfalls.

Day 3

Hike to amazing (but safe) vistas on this 2-mile trek of Whiteside Mountain, which boasts the highest sheer cliffs in the eastern U.S. Some experts believe mountain is the oldest in the world.

After our hike, enjoy free time for lunch and shopping in the charming mountain village of Highlands. Next, we’ll drive past wispy Bridal Veil Falls and then stroll behind the roaring 80-foot waterfall at Dry Falls. Enjoy dinner at a favorite Cashiers spot.

Day 4

Kayak 8 miles down the gentle French Broad River, considered the world’s third oldest river. This river’s gentle current is great for beginner paddlers; its beauty is ideal for everyone! We’ eat our trail lunch at the headwaters.

Next, we’ll head to Living Waters Ministries, where a short walk treats us to three spectacular falls and more great photo opps. Then, we’ll head off for a drive on the famous Blueridge Parkway to the Pisgah Inn, voted "Best National Park Lodge" by USA Today readers. Settle into your rooms, relish spectacular views from your balcony with a good book, or take a self-guided hike along the Blue Ridge escarpment. Enjoy dinner at the Pisgah Inn dining room.

Play in nature!

Day 5

Explore DuPont State Forest to admire beautiful 120-foot High Falls to stand on bedrock jutting into the cascades of 150-foot Triple Falls and to lunch along Hooker Falls (featured in The Last of the Mohicans).

Then, hike through the private trails of the Connestee Falls Community, featuring a cascading brook that plummets over five major waterfalls, including Connestee Falls, one of Western Carolina’s most scenic falls. You’ll enjoy the trail’s abundant wildflowers and historic cave.

After hiking, kick back and enjoy free time at Connestee’s Lake Ticoa, to relax on a pontoon cruise, to kayak, or to swim. For dinner, we’ll treat you to a catered lakeside picnic. Then savor the views from the Pisgah Inn before tucking in for a great night’s sleep.

 

Enjoy spectacular vistas from our Pisgah Inn lodge.

I have too many favorite memories to list! But a few are the beautiful scenery and woods ... the "girls" swimming in the cold pond... evenings having a wonderful meal and wine ... laughing. The ladies were all great to be with, and our guides were terrific! ~ "Monkey Hill"

 

Day 6

Drive along the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway to Devils Courthouse. From its rocky edge, you can see into Georgia, Tennessee, and South Carolina. Enjoy lunch at this "top of the world" vista. After lunch, join us for an optional 1-mile hike Skinny Dip Falls, one of the locals’ favorites. This trail passes through a wildflower habitat rich with spring ephemerals.

In the afternoon, take your pick: Relax and reflect on your adventures while taking in the views of the peaks and valleys below your balcony, or select one of the many hikes out of the back of the Pisgah Inn. Savor our last night’s meal at the Pisgah Inn Dining Room.

Day 7

Bask in Carolina’s beauty. .

We’ll shuttle you to Asheville Regional Airport for our flight home.

Enjoy the peaceful grounds of our
Laurelwood Mountain Inn.

Sit in waterfalls’ refreshing mist.

Walk behind a rushing waterfall and feel its spray.

Registration/Cost

The estimated trip cost* includes:

• 3 nights, double-occupancy, at charming Laurelwood Mountain Inn
• 3 nights, double-occupancy with two queen beds, at the Pisgah Inn
• Hot, complimentary breakfasts at the Pisgah Inn
• Guided hikes by experienced, knowledgeable leaders
• Dinner at Connestee
• Nature-based discussions, based on what we see each day, that foster warm camaraderie and help you view nature and yourself in new ways
• Transportation throughout the week
• Shuttles to and from Asheville’s airport, within designated time frames
• Park entrance fees
• Informational booklet packed with suggestions on what to bring; fun facts about the area’s history, weather, and wildlife; and hiking tips
• Online photo memories of the trip

*Trip price is based on the room you choose for your 3-night stay at Laurelwood Mountain Inn. Read the options below and view rooms at www.LaurelwoodMountainInn.com Rooms are available on a first-come basis.4 days and nights, double-occupancy at charming Laurelwood Mountain Inn.

• $2,198 pkg: Double-occupancy standard rooms have 1 double and 1 single bed, along with a mini-frig, coffeemaker, TV, and high-speed internet. (These rooms have no deck or porch. Price based on double-occupancy. Solo room upgrade: add $145
• $2,248 pkg: Enjoy the spacious luxury of the deluxe room, which features 1 king bed and a covered front porch with rocking chairs overlooking fountains and gorgeous landscaped grounds. In addition to the standard room amenities, you’ll enjoy this room’s extra space, dressers, and microwave. One of these deluxe rooms features a spacious screened porch. These rooms are ideal for mother-daughters, sisters, and friends comfortable with sharing a king bed. Price based on double-occupancy. Solo room upgrade: add $190
• $2,298 pkg: Luxurious 2-story suite offers you a living room, full kitchen, private bedroom (queen or king bed) and 2 full baths. The covered wrap-around porch and rockers let you enjoy the sound of a gurgling brook. Two of the three suites feature screen porches. Price based on double occupancy.

Testimonials

• ”We’re so thankful we joined you and the others on this AWESOME hiking trip ”~Mother & daughter team, Swift River and Skip
• ”I like that everything is taken care of, and then some. I have so much responsibility in my life, that it’s nice not to think about food, transportation, etc. I want to go back and take all of my friends to share the experience with them. It was so beautiful.!! ”~Ladybug
• ”I’ll bring a friend or a sister on these trips because I know that whatever their circumstance in life, they’ll be respected and feel comfortable, they’ll have a quality hiking experience, and they’ll make new friends ” ~Flowing Water
• ”Thank you for a remarkable experience ” ~Anonymous
• ”The best part of the trip is that it doesn’t end with the end of the week because it is now living in my heart. ” ~Hawk