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Ride the Blue Ridge Parkway on Trek Travel's Asheville, North Carolina Bike Tour
Dine at Chestnut Restaurant on our Asheville to Highlands bike tour
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Trek Travel Asheville Cycling Vacation
Trek Travel Asheville to Highlands North Carolina Bike Tour
Cycling on Asheville's 3-day bike tour
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21NC-Asheville2020.BobJoy-21-1600X670 21NC0912-IMG_0985-1600X670 Ride the Blue Ridge Parkway on Trek Travel's Asheville, North Carolina Bike Tour Dine at Chestnut Restaurant on our Asheville to Highlands bike tour Asheville2020.BobJoy-18 - 1600x670 Asheville Self Guided - Canva 2 Trek Travel Asheville Cycling Vacation Trek Travel Asheville to Highlands North Carolina Bike Tour Cycling on Asheville's 3-day bike tour 22NC-4-19NC0915_DEdewards-1600X670

Asheville 3-Day Bike Tour

The Blue Ridge Parkway and the Southern Appalachians

In the mountains of western North Carolina, you will find the highest peak east of the Mississippi, ancient rivers, breathtaking views, waterfalls, and incredibly scenic roads. Ride the Blue Ridge Parkway and take in views of the Craggy, Balsam, and Black Mountains rising in blue waves to the edge of the horizon. There is a strong sense of history and place here that can be heard in old-time bluegrass music and tasted in treasured recipes. According to Bon Appetit, Asheville is one of America's best small cities to eat and drink in, and it was voted "Beer City USA" four years in a row. Come join us as we taste, sip, and ride our way through this gorgeous landscape on our 3-day Asheville bike tour. Book your trip with confidence » See the 6-day version of this trip » Experience Trek Travel's One Collection where you stay in one luxurious hotel during your trip

One world-class hotel your entire stay See more One Collection trips

 
Asheville 3-Day Bike Tour
From:
$2799 Per Person
Duration:
4 Days & 3 Nights
Rider Level: ?
3 - Active Non-riders Welcome
Trip Style: ?
Signature
Hotel Level: ?
Explorer
From $2799 per person View All Details
Trip Wows
Ride fantastic routes, including cycling on the Blue Ridge Parkway, with the opportunity to summit the highest peak in the eastern US
Treat yourself to the inventive, Southern-inspired dishes born from Asheville's robust farm-to-table culinary scene
Spend some time exploring the vibrant scene of shops, galleries, cafes, and street artists that make downtown Asheville a destination in itself
Sample the wares at some of Asheville's famous breweries
Relax at The Foundry, a stylish boutique hotel in a restored steel foundry, situated in one of downtown's historic neighborhoods
Watch the Experience
Asheville 3-Day Bike Tour
Asheville has an incredible local foods movement, a nationally recognized microbrewery scene, a vibrant cycling community, and an outdoor adventure culture that makes it an amazing place for a Trek Travel vacation. Come experience the contagious excitement that you only find in a town filled with people pursuing their passions and living their dreams.
-Rebecca Falls, Trip Design Coordinator

Dates & Prices

The Earlier You Book, The Greater The Rewards

We reward our guests with lower pricing and more dates to choose from the earlier you book. Rest assured, once you book, your price and date are guaranteed.
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Single Occupancy from: +$499
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Apr 21 – Apr 24 
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Apr 28 – May 1 
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Sep 22 – Sep 25 
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Don't see your ideal travel date? 
Call us at (866) 464-8735 for custom date availability
Looking for a one of a kind, once in a lifetime experience?
Look no further. Choose your trip date, get your group together and we will do the rest. Private trip pricing is as follows:

  • 10+ Guests Price as advertised*
  • 8-9 Guests +$750 per person to trip price*
  • 6-7 Guests +$1,500 per person to trip price*
  • 4-5 Guests +$2,000 per person to trip price*
  • 2-3 Guests +$3,000 per person to trip price*
  • 1 Guest        Call us for pricing*


Traveling with a small group? Consider semi-private trips.
For groups of up to six people, semi-private trips offer unique flexibility within a larger Trek Travel guided trip. Learn more »

*Pricing, availability and guest minimums are all subject to change at any time. Certain dates have a minimum number of guests required, please contact us for details. Private pricing is not available on Ride Camp, Race, Special Edition or Cross Country style trips.
Looking for a date that you don’t see?
Look no further. Simply tell us your preferred travel dates and we’ll work together to deliver the same great trip on your custom schedule.
*Pricing, availability and guest minimums are all subject to change at any time. Certain dates have a minimum number of guests required, please contact us for details. Custom dates are not available on Ride Camp, Race, Special Edition or Cross Country style trips.
Want to customize this trip?
We've got you covered. We’ll work with you to build your perfect vacation from scratch, including your choice of riding, accommodations and dining options. With the help of our trip designers and travel experts, the world is available like never before.
*Pricing, availability and guest minimums are all subject to change at any time. Certain dates have a minimum number of guests required, please contact us for details. Custom trips are not available on Ride Camp, Race, Special Edition or Cross Country style trips.

Your Trek Travel guides will meet you at The Foundry Hotel at 10:30 AM. After a 30-minute private shuttle, you’ll arrive in the small community of Marshall and will enjoy lunch overlooking the French Broad River on the patio of Zadie's Kitchen. This unique restaurant is housed in the Old Marshall Jail, a historic building dating to 1905 that recently underwent a creative renovation. After lunch, your guides will lead a short round of introductions and fit you to your bike. Then you'll head out on today's ride, which follows the French Broad before crossing into the communities west of the river and eventually ending at your downtown Asheville home for the next three nights. Take some time to settle in before gathering for a drink in the Workshop Lounge and getting to know everyone. You'll hear about all the fun and adventure in store for you in the days ahead from your guides, then you'll walk just a few blocks to Chef John Fleer's restaurant, Rhubarb.

Today's Ride:

Marshall to Asheville
Approximately 30 mi | 48 km and 2,270 ft | 692 m

Hotel:

The Foundry Hotel

Included Meals:

Lunch | Social Hour | Dinner

This morning, enjoy a delicious breakfast of Appalachian-inspired soul food at Benne on the Eagle before heading out on a ride through the community of Leicester, to the northwest of Asheville. This ride offers short climbs through rolling hills and beautiful farmland. Those who want to add another loop at the end of this ride may tackle a local’s favorite climb up Elk Mountain, which finishes with a fun descent down Town Mountain Road into downtown Asheville. After the morning ride, the rest of the day is yours to spend as you like. Grab lunch at one of the downtown cafes and explore the many unique shops, galleries, and the vibrant street scene that Asheville is known for. You may want to explore some of the South Slope breweries, located within easy walking distance of the hotel. Whatever your afternoon holds, you are on your own for dinner this evening with the impressive array of downtown options just a short walk away.

Today's Ride:

Leicester Loop
Approximately 37 mi | 51 km and 3,210 ft | 978 m

Avid Option:

Leicester Loop plus Elk Mountain Loop
Approximately 51 mi | 82 km and 5,110 ft | 1,557 m

Today's Activity:

Explore Downtown Asheville

Hotel:

The Foundry Hotel

Included Meals:

Breakfast

Amazing riding awaits you today on the famed Blue Ridge Parkway. The route begins on the many switchbacks of Town Mountain as you climb out of town and drop onto the Parkway at Craven Gap. From here it's a 13-mile climb on mostly gentle grades, punctuated by panoramic views of the Blue Ridge Mountains, as you make your way to the Craggy Gardens area. At the top of this long climb, you can enjoy a delicious boxed lunch and take in views of the surrounding peaks. In late May and early June, the Catawba rhododendron that cover this area show off their stunning pink and purple blooms, and in the early fall the foliage begins its colorful display at almost 6,000 feet of elevation. After lunch, you can choose to ride back to town (as you guessed, it's mostly downhill!) or continue to the summit of Mount Mitchell, the highest point east of the Mississippi at 6,684 feet. The final four and a half miles to the summit are some of the steepest of the day, but the views from the observation tower at the top are quite a reward! At 71 miles, the avid option today is the most challenging ride of the trip. Those who return to town after lunch can take some time to explore the various sections of Asheville on a historic trolley tour; arrange a visit to the Biltmore Estate; or browse the offerings of the many small vintage shops downtown. This evening the group will convene for a short walk to dinner at The Blackbird Restaurant, which features a seasonal menu that focuses on the harvests from local farmers and fresh catches from the Carolina coast.

Today's Ride:

Craggy Pinnacle Return
Approximately 45 mi | 72 km and 4,800 ft | 1,463 m

Avid Option:

Mount Mitchell Summit Return
Approximately 71 mi | 114 km and 8,095 ft | 2,467 m

Hotel:

The Foundry Hotel

Included Meals:

Breakfast | Lunch | Drinks with Dinner

You will say farewell to your guides and fellow guests (who are continuing on the 6-Day version of the trip) this morning around 9:00 AM, as they depart for Mills River. Since there is no ride today, you have time to savor the rest of your morning with a stroll around town. Pick up an espresso at one of the many locally-owned coffee shops and shop for a few souvenirs before enjoying a final hearty breakfast at Benne on Eagle. A private shuttle will take you to the Asheville Regional Airport at 11:00 AM. Expect to arrive at the airport by 11:30 AM and please do not schedule a flight out before 1:00 PM on this day.

Included Meals:

Breakfast

Hotels

hotel image

The Foundry Hotel

Asheville, North Carolina

Explorer Accommodation | Situated in the historic community known as "The Block," just a five-minute walk from downtown Asheville, The Foundry Hotel is a truly unique boutique hotel. The property is a restoration of one of the cities' earliest steel foundries. It is comprised of three original buildings and two newly constructed ones that seamlessly blend modern luxury with the everlasting charm of the original structures. Recently added to the U.S. National Registry of Historic Places, The Foundry features an enclave-like campus with a central courtyard that offers a peaceful space just steps from the heart of all that Asheville has to offer. The onsite restaurant is Benne on Eagle and the Workshop Lounge (housed in the former workshop of the steel foundry) is a luxurious and spacious place to relax with a craft cocktail.

What's Included

For us, the details matter most

Every moment of a Trek Travel 3-day bike trip has more than you could have ever dreamed. More romance. More scenery. More choice. It's the little additions to every Trek Travel cycling vacation that make it truly special. And that's how we help you create more memories.

bike

Trek Domane SL 7

Experiencing your cycling vacation of a lifetime is not complete without a world-class bike and the Trek Domane is the best way to enjoy the ride. Trek Bikes has launched the all-new Trek Domane and now you can ride it on our trips. It raises the bar to deliver incredible endurance road bike comfort without sacrificing performance and features highly responsive disc brakes and electronic shifting. This new bike is lighter than ever before, and carbon wheels come standard on every bike. The road-smoothing IsoSpeed technology lets you ride as long as you want with less fatigue. The bike you ride on a biking vacation matters. That is why we provide the newest and best bikes in the business. Learn More

bike

Trek Electric-Assist Verve+

With its Low-Step frame design, hopping on and off the Trek Verve+ is super easy. The front suspension will take the edge off any bumps in the road and the Bosch system will keep you smiling from ear to ear. The integrated battery keeps this bike looking sleek as you pedal through amazing terrain. Learn More

WHAT'S INCLUDED

  • Three nights of accommodation at a handpicked hotel
  • Two experienced guides to provide local knowledge, support, and camaraderie
  • Daily route support with both guides and our support van
  • Daily breakfast, two lunches, and two dinners
  • One social hour of drinks and hors d'oeuvres and one dinner with drinks included
  • Ride a Trek Domane SL 7 disc or a Trek Electric-Assist Verve+
  • Daily route options
  • Snacks and drinks for each day's ride
  • Trek Travel Santini cycling jersey to keep
  • Trek Travel water bottles to keep
  • Cinch sack day bag to keep
  • Each bike is equipped with a Garmin Edge 1030 GPS computer, a flat pack (containing a tube, levers, and a CO2 cartridge with inflator), front and rear Bontrager Flare R lights, a Bontrager saddle, and pedals (Shimano clipless road pedals, Shimano clipless mountain pedals, caged, or flat pedals)
  • Bontrager WaveCel helmets
  • All gratuities for drivers, local experts, and hospitality staff
  • All luggage transfers and transportation during your trip
  • A digital photo album of your trip
  • Entrance fees for all activities, private tours, and events

GEAR

  • Trek Domane SL 7 disc carbon road bike with Shimano Di2 electronic shifting
  • Trek Electric-Assist Verve+ also available in a limited quantity
  • Trek Travel Santini cycling jersey to keep
  • Trek Travel water bottles to keep
  • Shimano clipless road pedals, Shimano clipless mountain pedals, caged, or flat pedals
  • Bontrager WaveCel helmet
  • Bontrager men's and women's specific saddles
  • Bontrager front and rear Flare R lights
  • A flat pack containing a tube, levers, and a CO2 cartridge with inflator
  • Garmin Edge 1030 GPS computer
  • Cinch sack day bag to keep
  • Coupon valued up to $500 off a new Trek Bicycle. Your coupon will be delivered via email.
  • For the most comfortable ride, you may choose to bring your own pedals, saddle, and helmet on the trip. Your guides will install your gear on the first day during your bike fit.

WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED

Guide gratuities are customary and at your own discretion, to recognize service, hospitality, and the little extras that surprise and delight. For this trip, we suggest a tip for your guides between $160-$200 per guest and, of course, you may choose to give more if your guides made your trip an unforgettable experience. While local currency is preferred, there are other options to make tipping easier. Most guides accept gratuity via PayPal or Venmo or our staff can help before or after the trip. Gratuities will be divided among the guide team, so feel free to leave your gratuity with whomever you choose at the end of your trip.
  • Airfare and transportation to and from the trip pick-up/drop-off locations
  • Lodging before and after the trip
  • Personal items purchased during the trip
  • Optional activities not scheduled by Trek Travel
  • On select trips some meals are not included. On these trips, Trek Travel invites you to explore the local cuisine at your leisure.

More Information

Rider Level: 3 - Active?

AVERAGE DAILY MILEAGE:
59 kilometers / 37 miles
TOTAL MILES:
180 kilometers / 112 miles
AVERAGE DAILY ELEVATION:
1,045 meters / 3,430 feet
TOTAL ELEVATION:
3,133 meters / 10,280 feet
TERRAIN: MOUNTAINOUS
The terrain in western North Carolina is mountainous and the rides on our 3-day Asheville bike tour feature an average of about 90 feet of elevation gain per mile. Of course, shuttles are always available when you've had enough. There is also the option to take a day entirely off the bike on Day 2 or 3 for those who would rather explore the town on their own or schedule a visit to the nearby Biltmore Estate. Our Asheville 3-Day bike tour is best suited for our Type 3 Riders. Our Trek Travel guides can easily accommodate Type 2 Riders, who seek less mileage or fewer uphills, with a boost in the van or suggestions for alternative, non-riding activities (many of which are noted in the daily itinerary). Those who wish to ride every mile but are concerned about their physical ability may want to try our electric bike option–you still get a workout but can climb alongside even the strongest rider (please note that riders choosing the electric bike need to have general road cycling experience and good bike handling skills for the mountain roads). Type 4 Riders will enjoy the extra mileage the avid route options offer.
NON-RIDING ACTIVITIES:
On most Trek Travel trips, we offer non-riding options for riders who want to take the afternoon off or travel companions who want to spend little or no time in the saddle. Some of these options may need to be scheduled before your trip–please contact one of our Trip Consultants for more information. Expenses and/or related transportation to these activities may not be included in the trip price. Some non-riding options on this trip are:
  • Explore the many shops, galleries, and restaurants in downtown Asheville
  • Schedule a spa appointment
  • Visit the many studios and galleries of the River Arts District
  • Take a historic trolley tour through Asheville
  • Explore South Slope breweries such as Burial Beer Company, Hi-Wire Brewing, and Greenman Brewing on a self-guided walking tour from your downtown Asheville hotel
  • Visit the Biltmore Estate

See Itinerary for specific daily ride distances and elevation options. On all of our vacations, Trek Travel seeks to find quiet, paved secondary roads or bike paths to experience a region; busy roads are avoided as much as possible. Our itineraries are an approximation of our trips. Trek Travel strives to offer every guest a vacation of a lifetime on every trip. At times routes, hotels, activities, etc. listed here may change at the discretion of the trip designer or guides to improve the trip experience.

Averages and totals are calculated from our "Today’s Ride" options.

Travel Details

How to Get There

FLY INTO:
Asheville Regional Airport (AVL)
MEETING TIME:
10:30 AM
MEETING LOCATION:
The Foundry Hotel

Say Farewell

FLY OUT OF:
Asheville Regional Airport (AVL)
DEPARTING TIME:
11:30 AM
DEPARTING LOCATION:
Asheville Regional Airport

Arriving

We suggest that you arrive at least one day prior to the start of your 3-day Asheville bike tour, which will enable you to adjust to the time zone and minimize the risk of missing the trip start due to flight-related delays. We recommend that you fly into Asheville Regional Airport (AVL). Delta, United, American, Allegiant plus several smaller airlines service this airport.

From the airport, you can call or hail a taxi to take you downtown. It is approximately 15 miles from the airport to the meeting day hotel in downtown Asheville and a taxi ride should take about 20-25 minutes and cost about $50 plus driver gratuity. We recommend Diamond Executive Car Transportation (828-281-8139) or Marvels Upscale Transportation (828-280-1698; www.marvelstransofnc.com) for your in-town transportation needs.

Your Trek Travel guides will meet you at The Foundry Hotel at 10:30 AM on the first day of the trip. You’ll then shuttle 30 minutes to Marshall, a small town on the banks of the French Broad River. Please have your first day's cycling clothes easily accessible, separate from your luggage. You'll enjoy a fresh, delicious lunch at Zadie's Kitchen and, after a brief orientation and safety talk, saddle up to begin the day's ride.

If you will be late for the pick-up or are going to miss it altogether, please inform your guides. You will receive an email a week before the trip starts with their names and contact details. If you cannot reach them, please call our first hotel, The Foundry Hotel (828-552-8545), and leave a message with your expected arrival time and contact details.

View our pre hotel recommendations

Leaving

On the last day of your trip (which is the fourth day after your trip begins, as you will note in the day-by-day itinerary above), at 9:00 AM, you will say farewell to your guides and the other guests who are booked on the 6-Day version of this trip. You are then free to explore downtown Asheville and enjoy a final breakfast at Benne on Eagle. A private shuttle will take you to the Asheville Regional Airport at 11:00 AM. Expect to arrive at the airport by 11:30 AM and please do not schedule a flight out before 1:00 PM on this day.

View our post hotel recommendations

Planning For Your Trip

Packing and Weather

Asheville sits at an elevation just over 2,100 feet above sea level. Due to this, the region experiences later springs, earlier falls, and milder summers than other locations in the southeast. In May, June, late August, and September the average highs range from the upper 70s to low 80s and lows range from the low 50s to low 60s across the region. Rain is always a possibility any time of the year, and weather can change quickly in the higher elevations. On the Day 3 ride to the nearly 6,700 foot summit of Mt. Mitchell, temperatures can be 15-20 degrees cooler than in downtown Asheville, so plan appropriately when packing your riding gear. Packing List

Before and After Your Trip

before

Before & After: Asheville, North Carolina

The mountain town of Asheville, North Carolina, is truly a unique place in the southeast, and we highly recommend taking a day or two before or after your trip to see what more it has to offer. With an active community of artists, musicians, and entrepreneurs, this engaging and eclectic town has a creative spirit and energy that visitors immediately sense. In spring, summer, and fall, a walk through downtown’s many small shops and galleries takes you past street musicians and through an array of enticing smells drifting out of the open doors of local cafes. Enjoy the farmer’s markets, the many yoga studios, restaurants, and outdoor concerts. Also, there are opportunities for whitewater rafting, mountain biking, hiking, fly fishing, rock climbing, and pretty much any other outdoor activity imaginable within a short drive of downtown. We recommend the following accommodations for your pre- and post-trip hotel.

Why Trek Travel

Our Bikes

Our unrivaled selection of Trek Bikes sets the bar for quality and comfort. From the ultra-smooth Trek Domane SL 7 to the Trek Electric-Assist Verve+, you deserve the best ride on your vacation. Plus, we offer a range upgrade options to take you the extra mile.

Our Guides

Our guides are trained to make your trip magical. They aren't just experts in riding; they're trained in delivering uncompromising service in ways you won't believe. We know that it's the unexpected surprises that make a trip magical. That's why our guides pride themselves on anticipating your needs before you ask.

Your Day. You Decide.

Our vacations are built to deliver the ultimate in flexibility, from extreme relaxers to hard-core roadies. You pick your mileage, itinerary and experiences. We take care of the rest.

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