Experience the Flame Azalea Trail: A Scenic Horseback Ride in Cullowhee, NC

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DESCRIPTION

Ride on horseback through the Flame Azalea Trail into a hardwood forest of enchanting white pines and blooming azaleas. Your approximate 60-minute guided tour starts with a 30-45 minute safety briefing and training at the Arrowmont Stables, located just 10 miles north of Cashiers, NC. Choose from a variety of departure times.

Meet your guide at Arrowmont Stables and Cabins on the northwest end of Lake Glenville about a mile from the lake. It's only a 20 minute drive from Cashiers, NC. At this 200-acre (80-hectare) working horse farm you’ll get acquainted with equine behavior and riding tips during a 30-45 minute safety program via training video or live demonstration.

After the safety demonstration, you’re matched with a suitable horse, you put on your helmet (under 18 helments are mandatory), are mounted and the guide adjusts your stirrups, and then you try your horse out in the ring before setting off on the Flame Azalea Trail.

Follow your guide through a hardwood and white pine forest flanked by azaleas before you emerge into an open meadow. Reaching 4,200 feet in elevation, you’re treated to sweeping 30 mile views out to the Blue Ridge Parkway. Be on the lookout for wildlife, including raptors soaring above.

On the descent, travel past the Old Fort Lodge area — a former youth camp established in 1960 — before ending your tour back at the stables of the 200-acre (80-hectare) working horse farm.

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RATES

• Per Rider - $91.50 (Adult or Child)
• Private When Staffing Is Available.
• If you get this message when you try to book "Not currently available online, please call us" that particular ride/time may be full. Try another ride. time or day before calling.

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DURATION

Plan about 1 hour on the trail. Your trail time is approximate, it's hard to "push button" a horse to be exact.

In addition, remember your safety program and personal prepping time for an added 45-60 minutes.

This all starts at the stated trail time, not before.

EXAMPLE for TIME to ARRIVE:

You BOOK a Trail Ride for 11 AM. You ARRIVE at 11 AM.

When you arrive at the stables AT 11 AM, you will

• Complete some forms.
• Then you will be shown where to get your helmet,
• Next, You are presented with our Safety Program (either by video or live demonstration) which covers how the horses are trained, safety tips, and an opportunity to try your horse out in the ring.
• Now you are ready to start on your trail ride.

This preparation takes anywhere from 30-45 minutes. So the time that you actually start on your trail ride will be more like 11:45 AM.

The total time that you are at the stables will be at least 45 minutes plus your particular trail length time.

For an 11 AM ride, you DON'T arrive at 10 AM. Everything will start at 11 AM. This is true for each trail time reservation.

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ABOUT

• Come to enjoy an amazing adventure on a 200 acre horse farm in the beautiful mountains of western North Carolina.

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WHAT TO BRING

• Shoes: Please wear closed toed shoes with as smooth a sole as possible.
• No flip-flops, hiking boots or bare feet. Obviously, riding boots are best but tennis shoes with a smooth sole could work. Smooth sole shoes with a heel are best.
• Please do Not wear hiking boots. Their sole is very rough and may get your foot stuck in the stirrup.
• Pants: Long pants are best. Then shorts that come down to your knees. This is so your legs won't rub on the saddle and get sore.
• Rain: Trails go rain or shine. We do provide ponchos and raincoats. Bring an extra T-Shirt and towel if it looks like rain.

THINGS THAT GET LOST ON THE TRAIL

• Sunglasses that aren't being worn
• Cameras that aren't on a tether around your neck
• Cell phones
• Wallets
• Keys

Please leave these things in your car or at the Stables. Rarely do we find them.

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AGE TO RIDE, WEIGHT, ETC INFO

AGE TO RIDE: Six year old children have successfully ridden on all the trails. Sometimes there's a precocious five year old who may ride. What we look for are:

• Does the child have good balance on the horse?
• Does he understand he needs to remain on the horse for the entire trail?
• Does he still take naps? He may fall asleep due to the rocking motion of the horse.
• Is he afraid of horses?

The oldest rider we've had was 92 years young. She was a Great Grandmother who wanted to go riding with her grand-children. She was a great sport and it was easy to see why her "kids" wanted her along!

DOUBLE RIDING: We are sorry but "Double Riding" is not permitted. It's been proven to be less safe than if each person/child were on their own horse.

WEIGHT LIMIT: Weight limit for walking trails is 250lb. The weight needs to be proper for your height. For example, a person who is 5 feet tall weighing 250lbs would not be able to go riding.
I'm sorry but they simply wouldn't be able to properly hold on with their legs. It is primarily your legs that keep you securely "fastened" to your horse. Your proper balance is also important.

To help you understand the weight restrictions... A horse can comfortably carry 20% of his body weight. So to carry someone who weighs 250 lbs, you need a horse that weighs at least 1250 lbs. That is a huge horse and the top of his back is usually at or near 5 feet 6 inches or more. If you are a short person who needs a large horse to ride, that's a long way to fall if you can't gripe well with your legs. Plus, if you needed to get back on in the forest, if would be almost impossible.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING ALLERGIES

Allergy Information

If you suspect you or someone in your group has allergy problems and still want to reserve a horse for them, PLEASE do not expect to get a refund when, in fact, an allergic reaction occurs and you or the person(s) in your group are unable to ride their horse(s).

I'm sorry but we have to turn away too many people who are not allergic to be able to refund for an allergic incident that may or may not occur. Please Be Aware.

INCLUSIONS:

1. Safety orientation
2. Horseback Ride (based on option selected)
3. Use of all equipment (horse, tack and helmet)
4. Use of helmet mandatory for under 18 years old
5. Ponchos or Rain coats provided for inclement weather
6. Majestic Trails with a variety in terrain from 4200 feet elevation at the top down to 3400 feet in the valley
7. A Guide for safety and direction as well as to provide some local history and color.
8. Plus, Great Horses! Trail length times are approximate. The rate is based on the trail and not time. Please understand, it's hard to "push button" a horse to be exact.

EXCLUSIONS:

• Gratuities (recommended). Guides do work for tips. They strive to provide you and your family a great time and a safe time. People generally tip like in a restaurant, 20%.
• Transportation to/from attractions
• DVD (available to purchase). Safety Demonstration DVD covers about 6 hours of private lessons

DISCOUNTS: We value and appreciate our Military and our Public Safety Officers (Policemen). Present your Military/Police ID UPON ARRIVAL and receive a 10% discount for you and your immediate family. If you pay online, present your ID when you arrive to receive your refund. Check the Discount page for more information on Discounts.

ADDITIONAL INFO:

• Confirmation will be received subject to availability
• Plan an extra 30-60 minutes, in addition to your trail time, for this safety and training program
• Your Safety Program consists of a video or live demonstration covering the horse's training, safety and horse personality.
• You are given a chance to try your horse in the ring before departing. If needed, your horse can be changed before your trail.
• All passenger ages MUST be advised at time of booking
• Closed-toe shoes are required
• Long pants recommended
• Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult
• Not recommended for pregnant women
• Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
• If it looks like rain, bring an extra T-shirt and towel

SOME RIDING TIPS:

1. Horses don't know they are big. That's why we can control them with the bit in their mouth.
2. Horses think like little children and expect you to protect them.
3. You NEED to know this. Whoever is most stubborn (PERSISTENT) wins. You NEED to be more stubborn (PERSISTENT) than the horse.

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