Take a 2-hour guided combo trail ride to mountain meadows and valleys
2 hours
Guide, horse, helmet
Ride the Flame Azalea, Fern Forest, and Scenic Valley trails in one guided outing from Arrowmont Stables. Climb from the stables up Cullowhee Mountain, then descend into a valley of streams, meadows, and a small lake.
Plan at least 3+ hours total, including a 45–60 minute safety program and prep time. Closed-toe shoes are required; long pants are recommended. Weight limit is 250 lb on walking trails, and double riding is not permitted.
If you need to change dates without cancellation fees: 2 days for groups of 9 or less; 14 days for groups of 15 or more. Cancellation fee for horseback riding is the trail cost per horse cancelled.
Arrive at your booked trail time (not early). After you arrive, you complete forms, get your helmet, and do the safety program and horse tryout in the ring (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 if you can; otherwise, wear shorts that reach your knees.
The trails operate rain or shine. Ponchos and raincoats are provided; bring an extra T-shirt and a towel if it looks like rain.
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