Blue Ridge Rambling

Great mix of hiking and "other" adventures. This was my first AGC trip and I couldn't have asked for a better experience! The guides, Lainie and Jaime were awesome and knowledgeable and all the participants meshed well together. The awesome weather all week was the "cherry on top"!

I liked the balance of activity and down time. Black mtn shopping and breweries added a nice contrast to hiking.

I can’t believe how much we packed into 6 days! I particularly liked the variety of activities. The zip line option, white water rafting, Biltmore...it as perfect.

Yes, the trip definitely lived up to my expectations.

Honestly, I didn't know what to expect!

I'd always wanted to go to Asheville, NC, to see the fall colors. The hiking trip was rated a 2, which is more in line with my level of activity. All the activities were fun and I always enjoy getting to know the other women on the trip. The lodging was comfortable and the food was delicious. This is my second trip with AGC and I definitely wasn't disappointed.

Loved the White Water rafting trip and the Biltmore. Not quite enough hiking for me (previous trips were level 3, so I know to always choose at least a level 3 in the future). This was my first trip where women didn't hang out at the end of the day and enjoy a couple of beers and fellowship! But all the women were great, just not their thing, I guess. But I missed that.

Actually, I was a little surprised by this trip. There was more activity than I expected (I probably should read the itinerary more closely), and I was pleasantly surprised by the challenges of the hiking piece. I also really enjoyed rafting on the French Broad.

Food - excellent Guides - excellent Variety of activities

A highlight for me was the camaraderie with the women, we all got along so well. The leaders were great, Wendy's laugh is infectious and always gave me joy, Liz was inspiring with all of her adventures. The rafting was fun, Biltmore, the food at the lodge was delicious. Loved having my own room, nice mixture of being together and being alone. Too bad the area was having a heat wave, it really affected me as I'm not good in such high temps. But there's nothing to be done about weather.

The rafting was my favorite activity, it was beautiful! The guide we had was great and it was so much fun. I also enjoyed the hike at Craggy gardens and the Folk Art Center. It is too bad the weather was so freaking hot! I know you have no control over that.

In order: rafting, hiking, Biltmore, Chef Jack’s cooking, zip lining.

The lodge selected for our accommodations was clean, comfortable, and well located. The staff members were warm and responsive. The food served in the dining room was outstanding. I particularly liked the multi-sport aspect of this trip itinerary, and found that there was plenty of flexibility for different desires/interests/energy levels. I had certainly hoped for cooler weather, but what can be done about an unseasonable heat wave? A top highlight for me was the camaraderie among the women—guides included.

Rafting, zip line, hiking, group of ladies,

food was great, hike leaders were great, agenda was great.

We had a good group of women. The views form the hikes were just gorgeous. The rafting/zipling was awesome. The guides were great.

The highlight was how welcoming and inclusive most of the women were. I have not laughed that much in a long time! From an itinerary perspective, the whitewater rafting was a highlight.

The Biltmore was amazing! I was glad that we were able to remain for the night time exhibition of the Chihuly pieces - I will go back to explore the Biltmore further !

I was not as prepared as I should have been. I went on Smoky mountain trip last year and it was difficult but I participated in all the hikes and was comfortable. I was expecting much the same type of trip and was disappointed that I found myself unable to keep up. I had an injection in my bad knee prior to the trip in anticipation of it being a challenge but it didn't last.

the Biltmore estate and the rafting I was looking for a longer rafting trip. It was over too soon.

Since this was my first trip, I wasn't sure what to expect but it was all I had hoped for and more! It's hard to choose highlights, there were so many! Getting acquainted with new friends, conquering fears ...especially Zip Lining!

Enjoyed the differing activities offered. Loved being able to see the Biltmore and the Chihuly exhibit, especially adding the night portion as well. Thanks!

I enjoy traveling with women's groups, and this was a fun and interesting group of women.

For my first AGC trip, this was a homerun. As a hiker, what I really enjoyed was the multi-sport mix and the rafting and ziplining was my favorite part of the trip. I've never done either, and this was a safe way to push the personal boundary a bit and overcome my trepidation. The pace was brisk for someone not used to being on the go for 12 hours a day. I enjoyed the Biltmore and opportunity to see the Chihuly exhibit too! The trip exceeded my expectations in the warm group dynamic among the women. Kim and Wendy did a great job in getting conversations going and ensuring a positive group dynamic, and we traveled together easily.

Making it to the top of Mt Mitchell, white water rafting, the great food served at the lodge. and the guides Kim and Wendy were absolutely wonderful.

I especially enjoyed the Mount Craig hike that began in the Mt. Mitchell parking lot. Also, the raft trip was just exciting enough for me without being scary. Traveling with a women’s only group is very special and so different from coed groups. Excellent guides. One very minor concern — on the raft trip, it would have been nice to have a somewhat easier way “to pee.” I really didn’t want to wade out into waist deep water (as the river guide suggested), and the only trail went very steeply down a little hill to a gully. I wondered how many rafters had used the exact location. Perhaps just a more useable trail?

Yes. I really enjoyed the trip and all the planned activities, there was hardly a moment to spare. Hard to say exactly what the highlights were, the number of activities in the number of days was just right.

Visit to Biltmore, zip lining and white water rafting. Hiking was more strenuous than expected with a 2 rating.

This was my first all woman's hiking trip and I just loved it. It was nice to be able to hike with people who "looked like me" and were supportive all along the way. The guides were terrific each in their own way and everything combined to make it great. The resort was terrific. The cook made a great effort to take care of my dietary preference with grace and good humor.

French Broad Adventures was an amazing experience, the food was fantastic and the organization and timeliness of the activities was spot on.

I don't even know where to start! Everyday was wonderful- hiking, water rafting, zip-lining, socializing The food definitely exceeding my expectations, excellent at every meal! This was a wonderful group of women that got along very well. The weather was even perfect. Our guides were detailed, organized, and FUN. We connected very well. I want to do more trips with Kim and Wendy.

The hiking was outstanding. Given the spectacular weather I would have liked to do about 1 to 2 more miles each day. The rafting was fun but rather short in relation to the driving distance and preparation time. If the hot tub were dropped, the rafting could be longer.

See rating of trip, below.

Great activities, guides were very helpful and provided tips to help develop our hiking skills. Down time given to explore local town and alternative options provided for travelers who chose to pass on an activity.

Loved learning more about hiking. This .was my first true hiking trip.also loved the white eater rafting. Especially enjoyed getting to know all the ladies in the group and was amazed at how fast we all bonded. Ann and Kim were fabulous!

This was my very first "real mountain" hiking trip (I'm sure Kim and Ann can attest to that!), overall it was great! Before my next trip (and I do plan more trips with AGC), I will train more to be better prepared. The scenery was beautiful, and I could not have selected a better group of ladies to spend the week with. Kim and Ann were the BEST guides! I never felt pressured to keep up and anytime I needed help or had a question, they were right there. I really loved whitewater rafting! Wish I had the courage to zip line.....maybe on my next AGC trip.

Everything had been well-planned out, and our days were full of activities. The hiking was great; the mountains are beautiful. I would have liked more time at the Biltmore Estate to see more of the gardens.

whitewater rafting and the Biltmore Meeting Kim and other great women and seeing Anne again

Beautiful forest Great rafting and zip lining experience Women and Guides were great and enjoyable to be with Beautiful flowers Wonderful cool weather

The fun, the safety, the fun! Meeting ladies from all walks (hikes) of life and yet having so much in common. The variety of activities and how they were spread out. Kim made me feel welcomed in her 'backyard. I really enjoyed Anne's sense of humor and perspective. These two work (play) well together. I felt safe and involved/included. I liked the optional choices we were offered. The lodge was warm and friendly and clean. The food was good too. Great trip! Thank you.

I thought the combination of activities was perfect. There was never a dull moment, although there was definitely sufficient time to regroup from a full day of exertion. I loved everything about it.