NC High Country Bike Tour

North Carolina High Country Bike Tour

Overview

Exhilarating road biking, spectacular mountain views, small town charm and exquisite dining await you in the remote, northwest corner of the Tarheel State. Your cycling covers the rural counties of Buncombe, Yancey, Watauga, Avery, Ashe and Mitchell. You’ll bike the famous Blue Ridge Parkway and catch majestic views of the surrounding mountains and valley townships. Leaving the parkway and getting off the main routes, you’ll be guided through little known country roads where you find small towns, Christmas tree farms dotting the hillsides, general stores, rushing waterfalls and upscale ski town resorts.

A few of our favorite towns and stops:

Little Switzerland • Blowing Rock • Linville • Todd • Weaverville • Bakersville • Penland • Marshall

Details

Rider Level

Active – Advanced

Distance

232-272 +/- miles total

Travel

Drive to our starting Hotel in Weaverville, NC, where you will leave your car for the week. Weaverville is located just 15 miles north of Asheville, NC.

Flight arrangements should be made in and out of Asheville, NC airport.

Airport pick up time is 3pm. From there, we will shuttle to our starting point in Weaverville, NC.

Our final ride will take us back into the Asheville area along the Blue Ridge Parkway. At the conclusion of the tour, we will drop off at your vehicle by 4pm or to the Asheville airport by 6pm.

Meals
All meals are included with the exception of one dinner.
Accommodations

All lodging is included

Highlighted Hotels: Terrell HouseSwitzerland Inn

Included
  • All lodging
  • Transfers to and from the airport
  • All breakfasts, 5 dinners and picnic lunches on riding days
  • Cocktail social hour on the 1st evening
  • Van support
  • Maps
  • GPS mapping
  • Mechanic
  • 2 or more experienced guides
Not Included
  • Airfare
  • Meals on off days
  • Souvenirs
  • 12% gratuity for guides, mechanics, volunteers and tour staff is not included, but greatly appreciated
Driving Distances from Major Cities
  • Atlanta – 4 .0 hours
  • Charlotte – 2.0 hours
  • Knoxville – 2.0 hours
  • Nashville – 4.5 hours
  • DC – 9.0 hours
  • Chicago – 10.0 hours
  • St Louis – 9.0 hours
  • Richmond – 5.5 hours
  • Jacksonville, FL – 6.5 hours

Dates

  • June 23 – 29, 2023
  • June 2 – 8, 2024

Pricing

Per Person
Starting at $3045/person
  • Single Room Supplement - $650
  • RENTAL BIKES:
    Road Bike - $195
    e-Bike: $375
Blue Ridge Parkway, Blowing Rock and beyond. Book today!

Itinerary

Orientation: 5:00pm held on the night before we ride. Arrive by 2:00pm if you would like a short, beautiful warm-up ride.

Day 1

Takes us out of the artsy town of Weaverville, a small bedroom community near Asheville, NC. We follow the shady creek front roads along Paint Branch and visit the college town of Marshall before slipping into Burnsville on the west end of town.

36 miles; 2895 feet of climbing
Day 2

Takes us out of the town of Burnsville with its town square and mountain top village of Mountain Air, a fly-in, fly-out resort. On to the remote towns of Bakersville and Penland. Penland is home to one of the country’s oldest arts and crafts school. There we tour the campus and its art studios and enjoy a lunch on the Green. We work our way to Spruce Pine. Redundant in name, yes there are Christmas tree farms. Then on to The Blue Ridge Parkway for the evening in Little Switzerland..

45 miles; 3272′ elevation gain
Day 3

We head out of Little Switzerland through the tiny village of Linville Falls. For those who would like, we can take a few hours break and do a bit of trekking through the high country’s claim to fame hiking destination. You will cycle the most pictured spot in North Carolina, the Linn Viaduct, an amazing engineering feat of the road as it suspends over the rocky cliffs of Grandfather Mountain. The Viaduct is a worthwhile stop to enjoy the magnificent views. We skirt around the east side of Grandfather Mountain. From Grandfather Mountain, we follow the Blue Ridge Parkway to the upscale resort town of Blowing Rock “Crown of the Blue Ridge.” We call this village home for two evenings.

42.3 miles; 4170′ elevation
Day 4

Let’s take it easy a little bit today if you wish. We have a beautiful 11-mile loop planned for you to take in Moses Cone Manor on the Blue Ridge Parkway and the Blowing Rock Art and History Museum (BRAHM). Great easy to strenuous hikes and waterfall viewings are available nearby. Locally, you’ll find popular family attractions including Tweetsie Railroad and The Blowing Rock, a plethora of unique downtown shops, exquisite dining and outdoor adventures ranging from hiking to spelunking and nearby waterfalls. Dinner will be on your own tonight as the selection is varied within the small upscale village. If you would rather get more biking miles in, we have a library of local routes including a great ride out to the tiny town of Todd.

10.7 miles; 1125′ elevation
Day 5

We will start our journey back in the general direction of Weaverville, but not before a beautiful ride through Linville Falls and another splendid evening at the Inn at Little Switzerland. The scenery is amazing with the rock outcroppings and streams trickling down the mountainsides. Grab a few pictures of the small villages of Linville Falls and grab some lunch at Famous Louise’s Cafe before we reach our park lodge in Little Switzerland. Soak up the pools, hot tubs and another incredible dinner at the Inn.

46.8 miles; 4283′ elevation
Day 6

Our final day out of Little Switzerland, on morning six, we are on the Blue Ridge Pkwy passing the infamous Mt. Mitchell State Park. Locals and cyclists from around the world participate in the Assault on Mt Mitchell every year. Don’t forget your head light and taillights. We have numerous tunnels to pass through before we head off the parkway and finish our ride back in our starting town of Weaverville.

50 miles; 5445′ elevation

You will definitely feel a sense of accomplishment after logging your miles in these beautiful mountains over the last six days.

“Super beautiful, well done! If you are looking for a magical and romantic place then this is a great place to go! I’d recommend this to anyone who loves a good adventure!”
Ali McBeth
Adventurer

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