Guided horseback ride with Blue Ridge Parkway views
about 1 hour
Guide, horse & helmet, poncho
Ride on horseback along the Flame Azalea Trail, starting with a safety briefing and training at Arrowmont Stables. Follow your guide through forest and meadow terrain up to 4,200 feet for long-range mountain views.
Plan about 1 hour on the trail plus 30–45 minutes for the safety program and preparation, starting at your booked time. Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult; helmets are mandatory for riders under 18. Double riding is not permitted, and the walking trail weight limit is 250 lb (weight must be proportional to height).
Gratuities are not included; tips are recommended and commonly 20%.
Gift card reservations: change dates without cancellation fees within stated time frames; horseback camp cancellation notice is 2 weeks, with a cancellation fee of camp cost per student cancelled.
Arrive at your booked time. Your safety program, forms, helmet fitting, and ring check happen after you arrive and usually take about 30–45 minutes before you head out on the trail.
Wear closed-toe shoes with a smooth sole (no flip-flops, crocs, hiking boots, or bare feet). Wear long pants, or shorts that reach your knees. If rain is possible, bring an extra T-shirt and a towel; ponchos and rain coats are provided.
Helmets are mandatory for riders under 18. Helmets are provided.
Joshua, Eric, and Gina consistently stand out across reviews as knowledgeable, patient, and genuinely enthusiastic guides who take the time to pair riders with the right horses and make everyone feel comfortable before heading out. Pre-ride safety instruction gets a lot of praise too, with several riders noting it's more thorough than anything they've experienced elsewhere. The trails themselves are a big draw. Rides wind through mountain terrain with sweeping valley views, creeks, rocky climbs, and meadows, and options range from 45 minutes to two hours depending on your group. Families with young kids, first-timers, and experienced riders all seem to find something that works for them here. The horses are consistently described as well-trained and responsive, which clearly puts nervous riders at ease. One thing worth knowing before booking is that the stable holds firm on its reservation policy, so if your plans change unexpectedly, flexibility is limited. That said, the overwhelming majority of visitors leave raving about the experience, and many mention wanting to return.
My daughter and I went on the Scenic Valley Trail ride. The ride was an hour and a half of absolutely beautiful scenery! Our guide and the owner were both extremely friendly and knowledgeable. They made us feel completely comfortable and made sure we felt confident about riding. I have experience riding but daughter did not and they made sure she was relaxed and ease so we were both able to thoroughly enjoy our ride! I highly recommend booking a trail ride!
Jinna Smith
March 25, 2026
My daughter and I went on the Scenic Valley Trail ride. The ride was an hour and a half of absolutely beautiful scenery! Our guide and the owner were both extremely friendly and knowledgeable. They made us feel completely comfortable and made sure we felt confident about riding. I have experience riding but daughter did not and they made sure she was relaxed and ease so we were both able to thoroughly enjoy our ride! I highly recommend booking a trail ride!
Jinna Smith
March 25, 2026