North Carolina
Nature Hiking in the Southern Appalachian Mountains
Program No. 17288RJ
Hike the Southern Blue Ridge Mountains with a local expert and learn about the region’s abundant wildflowers, natural history and distinctly Appalachian folklore.
Participant Reviews
Based on 40 Reviews
SHOWING
Hiking the Southern Appalachians was a fantastic program! Great hikes & even better group leaders. The scenery was spectacular & the knowledge shared on the Appalachian culture was outstanding! The educational material shared in addition to the hiking make this program very special! Get outside, go hiking!!
— Review left November 19, 2025
While this was my first experience with Road Scholar, I could not have been more thoroughly pleased with it. I intend to look at more programs and continue to attend others.
— Review left October 19, 2025
Wonderful location great leadership and good food. Conditioning and preparation will really be beneficial for these hikes.
— Review left October 18, 2025
of all the tours and companies we have used this trip was far the best, we had some great views and made a lot of new friends, some of us were talking about doing this again in the spring to see the flowers
— Review left October 11, 2025
Comfortable lodging for a hiking adventure, friendly and superb southern hospitality, historically and culturally enlightening, great diversity in hiking trails, and beautiful venue. Must be fit for this ratied outdoor trip.
— Review left September 13, 2025
Liz Domingue is the best of the best and you will learn so much from her! I felt very lucky to be on this trip because of her and Linda too. They made it incredibly interesting with the educational aspect and the hiking was planned out just right with which hike to do each day as far as length and elevation. Fun, challenging and gorgeous scenery.
— Review left August 26, 2025
This was a great trip! Varied hikes, very knowledgeable leaders (ours were Liz and Linda), very good food, and convenient accommodations. We learned a lot about local flora, some fauna, and local culture. Great exercise. We had a wonderful week.
— Review left August 16, 2025
Fantastic program. The wild flowers and scenery were spectacular.
— Review left May 12, 2025
Truly a must attend event if you are interested in the Southern Appalachian Mountains. This Spring event was wonderful with the highlights being the profusion of wildflowers and the very knowledgeable hiking guides.
— Review left May 12, 2025
If you like to experience nature, this is the trip for you. The very first hike was dedicated to stopping many times to view the flowers along the path. Also many stops where made to look for birds or identify their sounds. The facilities were excellent but be prepared to bring a mask that is requied while riding in the van to and from the hikes.
— Review left April 24, 2025
Excellent program for learning about the southeast’s flora and fauna while hiking challenging and beautiful trails in the Nantahala National Forest. Thoroughly enjoyable.
— Review left April 19, 2025
Bring your hiking poles and boots and have fun participating in this 'no frills' hiking program. The Blue Ridge Mountain trails are challenging and one needs to be sure footed. It's rare to see another person on the trail. The leaders (Linda and Martha) were knowledgeable about the trails and the natural environment.
— Review left September 20, 2024
Nature Hiking in the Southern Appalachian Mountains is a great combination of hiking and learning about the flora and fauna of the area. The trails hiked were not congested with a lot of other hikers which gives a more intimate experience.
— Review left August 17, 2024
Lodging was comfortable with common spaces to visit with other guests. Hosts and leaders were very friendly and knowledgeable. Hiking was challenging and rewarding- beautiful views and fantastic colors in October. Evening programs were great.
— Review left March 17, 2024
I enjoyed my trip. I liked the retreat center where we stayed.
— Review left January 4, 2024
In retrospect, I would have done better with a program that had hike difficulty levels.
— Review left October 23, 2023
A wonderful experience, very well organized & great place to stay.
— Review left October 21, 2023
Practically Perfect! Relaxing, challenging, interesting week spent hiking in the Western North Carolina mountains while staying at the convenient location of Hinton Center in Hayesville abutting Lake Chatuge. Exceptional wild flowers which was totally unexpected in the late summer. Guides knowledgeable and proficient at adjusting hiking destinations as needed for inclement weather. Congenial groups of participants with shared interest in nature. Evening programs offered further immersion into the Appalachian culture and plant life. Kudos to Road Scholar!
— Review left September 11, 2023
I had an awesome experience challenging myself to hike. The people on the trip were incredibly friendly and supportive. Look forward to doing something like this again.
— Review left September 10, 2023
A great trip. The hiking was beautiful. The pace, distance, and elevation hiked was just right. The staff at The Hinton Rural Center where we stayed was fabulous. The hike leaders were excellent and very knowledgeable. The group really gelled together-the comradery could not have been any better.
— Review left September 9, 2023
Wow, I was able to experience the Appalachian Trail. This is something I could never have done on my own. Thank you, RS, thank you very much.
— Review left August 21, 2023
Hiking on the Appalachian Trail!! a dream come true. The area is a beautiful part of the country, and I enjoyed every minute!
— Review left May 23, 2023
It was my first Road Scholar experience, and it was great! I plan on signing up for more Road Scholar programs in the future.
— Review left May 13, 2023
Hiking in the Blue Ridge Mountains was wonderful; Liz Domingue was so knowledgeable and also careful to listen to our questions and concerns and make the trip work for what we wanted. Linda Flynn was warm and welcoming and also great at answering our questions. The other participants were kind and friendly and as a solo traveler this was a great way to hike in a way i otherwise would not have been able to do.
— Review left April 30, 2023
Hiking the Appalachian Trail was an exhilarating experience, but be ready to keep yourself steady with two trekking poles! Lots of rocks and roots in the trail, but when you stop to look up and catch your breath, it's beautiful & serene.
— Review left October 31, 2022
This program was wonderful. The hosts, Bev and Rod, the leaders, Liz and Ann, the length of the hikes, the beautiful vistas, and all the participants made this trip exceptional. I would highly recommend it. Thank you to Road Scholar for another great experience!
— Review left October 30, 2022
This was an outstanding program! Besides the beautiful weather we had, the accommodations were excellent, both trail guides were skillful and first-class, and our group leaders, Bev and Rod, were magnificent.
— Review left October 29, 2022
This is a great program! Be aware there is transportation (car service) available from the AVL Airport to the Hinton Center - sharing would bring the cost below car rental.
— Review left August 25, 2022
Great adventure into the Blue Ridge mountains and section-hiking the Appalachian Trail. The beauty is unsurpassed.
— Review left July 19, 2022
If you love to hike in a beautiful wilderness forest with excellent accommodations this is the program for you. Excellent!
— Review left June 13, 2022
Join the southern Appalachian Hikes…….you won’t regret it, guaranteed!
— Review left June 11, 2022
This trip offers amazing hiking experiences - especially with the abundance of spring flowers.
— Review left April 29, 2022
This is a wonderful trip that gets your heart pumping! It was great hiking up the mountains as the vistas at the top were breathtaking! We learned a lot about the plants and animals that live in the Southern Appalachian Mountains.
— Review left October 16, 2021
Very nice adventure. Trip leaders were both flexible and flexible. Loved exploring the Nantahala section of the Appalachians. The Hinton Center has a million dollar view and surprisingly good food.
— Review left October 15, 2021
Excellent program! I highly recommend this program to any who loves hiking and learning about nature. Wonderful staff & great faculties.
— Review left October 11, 2021
This was a great trip. Excellent trails that I would not have been able to access on my own. Had a good time with the other people on the trip. Definitely go if you can!
— Review left September 7, 2021
Wildflowers, sunshine, knowledgeable naturalists/guides (Jack Loveless and Doris Gove) and the beauty of the mountains all collaborated for a phenomenal hiking trip. Early May was a grand time for dappled sunshine streaming through the spring forest canopies and to view the endless vistas once we reached the ridge tops. Hinton Center accommodations were comfortable. I enjoyed the mountain music evening. Jack and Doris offered extra expertise and experiences which enhanced the trip.
Hiking poles were helpful.
— Review left June 22, 2019
great learning experience. Hiking group no larger than 10 including the leader. Amazing knowledge from the leaders Lois and Jack. Highly recommend. I am 72 and in fair shape and it was not a difficult hike.
— Review left May 24, 2019
If you like hiking and nature, you'll love this program.
— Review left May 11, 2019
Nature Hiking in the Southern Appalachians was a fantastic program. The knowledge of the guides was unparalleled. So many new plants. So much learned. And the walking was just right for an older former hiker.
— Review left May 10, 2019