JavaScript must be enabled

Page will not work without JavaScript enabled

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.

Wishlist

Start

Program

At a Glance

Duration

6 days

Program Begins

Hayesville, NC

Program Concludes

Hayesville, NC

Group Type

Small Group

Meals

15 ( 5B, 5L, 5D )

Activity Level

Lace up your hiking boots and explore the scenic trails and natural wonders of the Southern Blue Ridge Mountains in a small group with a hiking naturalist who reveals the wonders of wildflowers and mountain life. Walk through the Nantahala National Forest and spend your evenings immersed in tales of Appalachian folklore and natural history.

Best of all, you'll...

Hike to spots above 5,000 feet like Siler Bald and take advantage of exquisite views.
Walk along beautiful ridges, like Pickens Nose, and experience awe-inspiring sites such as Big Laurel Falls.
On sections of the "Chunky Gal" Trail study the natural history of the area with a local trail and nature expert.

View Full Itinerary

General Notes

The Retreat Difference: This unique, often basic and no-frills experience at a Road Scholar Retreat includes opportunities for light exercise, interaction with the local community for insight into local life, evening entertainment on at least one night and a value-priced single room. This program is coordinated by the Hinton Rural Life Center and operates under special use permit on the Nantahala National Forest on a nondiscriminatory basis. As this is an educational program, there will be regular stops during the hikes to learn about flora and fauna. The group will hike all together. Due to the nature of this program, listening devices are not available.

Elizabeth Domingue

Elizabeth (Liz) Domingue is a professional naturalist, educator, nature photographer, and guide with extensive experience hiking, backpacking, photographing, and studying the natural world. Her interest in and study of natural history has been her lifelong pursuit and passion. As the originator and operator of Just Get Outdoors, she leads interpretive hikes, photography workshops, and Naturalist Adventure Tours regionally and throughout the US. In all of her programs, Liz encourages awareness, understanding, enjoyment, and stewardship of our natural world.

Please Note:

This expert may not be available for every date of the program

View All Experts

Bev and Rod Richardson

Bev and Rod have been visiting the Western NC mountains for over three decades. They travel regularly to see their children and extended family, and enjoy hosting friends and family at home in Florida. Bev is a retired PCUSA minister and serves as parish associate at First Presbyterian New Smyrna Beach; she has been a volunteer police chaplain for over 15 years. Rod is an elder and deacon in the PCUSA church and is retired from Northrup Grumman as a financial planner.

Linda Flynn

Linda Flynn retired in Asheville, North Carolina, after 25 years as a designer and 25 years as a therapist. Her current passion is walking international “caminos” — with more than 1,200 miles in the last eight years — and hiking in Western North Carolina. She does so love our own rhododendron and laurel, and appreciates finding wildflowers and secret gardens. Linda is also fond of rocks, mosses, ferns, and waterfalls.

Martha Harney

Martha Harney worked as a teacher for six years with preschoolers to fourth graders. She then became an elementary school librarian for 24 years, ending her career in Asheville in 2012. Since retiring she has walked thousands of miles on trails in the many National Parks, North Carolina State Parks, the Mountains-to-Sea Trail throughout NC, and the Camino de Santiago in Spain. She is also interested in old-time music, stories, and regional folklore.

Activity Level

Outdoor: Spirited

Hiking 4-8 miles per day on varied terrain. The trails can be steep at times and consist of rocks and roots. Elevations up to 5,000 feet. There will be frequent stops to explore the flora and fauna of the Southern Appalachians. The group will hike all together.

Small Group (13 to 24)

Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.

Suggested Reading List

View Full List (9 Books)

You can also find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.

HAVE QUESTIONS?

Prefer to enroll or inquire by phone?

We can help. Give us a call, and we can answer all of your questions!

Call 800-454-5768

Start Enrolling

Enroll with Confidence

Peace of Mind

We want your Road Scholar learning adventure to be something to look forward to—not worry about. That’s why we go to the ends of the earth to give you peace of mind, from the moment you enroll until the day you return home.

Assurance Plan

Road Scholar's continued commitment to our participants and their well-being is exemplified whether participating on a program in the United States or on one of our International programs, every Road Scholar participant receives coverage under our Road Scholar Assurance Plan.

Want to Protect Your Investment?

Road Scholar is pleased to offer its Trip Protection Plan as a way to protect your program investment. You may purchase this optional trip protection plan when enrolling in your program.

Sustainable Travel

We offset a portion of the emissions created by your travel. Read about our commitment to a more sustainable planet.

Peace of Mind

We want your Road Scholar learning adventure to be something to look forward to—not worry about. That’s why we go to the ends of the earth to give you peace of mind, from the moment you enroll until the day you return home.
Assurance Plan

Road Scholar's continued commitment to our participants and their well-being is exemplified whether participating on a program in the United States or on one of our International programs, every Road Scholar participant receives coverage under our Road Scholar Assurance Plan.
Want to Protect Your Investment?

Road Scholar is pleased to offer its Trip Protection Plan as a way to protect your program investment. You may purchase this optional trip protection plan when enrolling in your program.
Sustainable Travel

We offset a portion of the emissions created by your travel. Read about our commitment to a more sustainable planet.