Ride from flame azaleas to fern forests with mountain views
Trail Time is approximately 80 minutes
Guide, safety orientation, helmet
Ride the Flame Azalea–Fern Forest Trail on a working horse farm near Lake Glenville. Climb through hardwoods and white pines to an open meadow at 4,200 feet, then descend through a fern-filled forest back to the barn.
Plan about 45–60 minutes on-site for forms, helmet, and the safety program before the trail ride. Closed-toe shoes are required, long pants are recommended, and children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult. No double riding; walking-trail weight limit is up to 250 lb (weight must be proportional to height).
Vacation cabins: 15-day cancellation period; less than 15 days charged full rental cost. Horseback riding: cancellation fee is trail cost per horse cancelled. No refunds if an allergic reaction prevents you from riding.
Arrive at your booked trail time (not early). You’ll start with forms, a helmet fitting, and a safety program, which typically takes 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 if you can; knee-length shorts also work.
Ride in all weather conditions. Ponchos and rain gear are provided; if rain is possible, bring an extra T-shirt and a towel.
Arrowmont Stables
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