The Carolinas Bike Tour

Outdoorsy Greenville to Artsy Asheville

From $2,899 - $3,049 pp dbl. occ. | 5 days / 4 nights

Call for single supplement pricing

This trip is all about natural splendor, Southern Appalachian culture and some of the most glorious riding on the Eastern Seaboard! From outdoorsy Greenville to artsy Asheville. From George Hincapie's cycle-centric hotel to George Vanderbilt's opulent estate, experience one of our most pedal-perfect offerings yet.

Highlights

Marvel at sweeping vistas and stunning colors in the storied Blue Ridge Mountains and the rolling hills of the Piedmont region
Tap your feet to the sound of bluegrass—music born and nourished in North Carolina's mountains
Bike on the Blue Ridge Parkway, famous among cycling enthusiasts for its picturesque views and thrilling elevations
Delight your taste buds with regional specialties of the Carolinas, including farm-to-table cuisine and a plethora of craft brews

South & North Carolina

Start Greenville / End Asheville

Start/End locations may vary. Do not book flights until your trip details are confirmed.

Itinerary

Days 1-2 Ride the Swamp Rabbit Trail, one of Greenville's famed Rails-to-Trails pathways, along the Reedy River | Enjoy bluegrass music while watching the sun set behind the mountains | Set out on a peaceful ride through the Greenville Watershed Area and visit the historic Victorian village of Saluda | Relax at our Mediterranean-style hotel and fuel up with a wonderful dinner at Restaurant 17 | Embark upon Hincapie's Gran Fondo route or choose a leisurely spin past the North Saluda Reservoir.

Day 3 Bike north at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains in South Carolina | Tackle the ascent of Caesars Head—spectacular vistas await at the summit | If you enjoy rolling terrain, you'll love pedaling through the afternoon stretch of Southern Appalachia and classic Carolina farmland | Enjoy a drink at your private cabin in Pisgah National Forest at sunset.

Days 4-5 Head out on a peaceful ride in Pisgah National Forest, home to Looking Glass Falls and the Cradle of Forestry heritage site | Cycle down an exhilarating portion of the 469-mile Blue Ridge Parkway | Pedal through tunnels and past scenic overlooks | Explore George Vanderbilt's magnificent Loire Valley-inspired château and gardens, set within the 8,000-acre Biltmore Estate | Enjoy a leisurely spin through the Biltmore Forest before a farewell lunch.

Next: Dates & Prices

The earlier you book, the more choice you'll have and the lower your price. And you can always change your mind — you won't be charged to transfer to a different trip before your final payment is due. View cancellation policy.

Please click on a date below for specific pricing and possible itinerary variations.

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Gather your favorite people to share a Backroads adventure on a ready-to-book Private Trip - featuring all the legendary Backroads hallmarks from expert leaders to unforgettable activities. Call or email us to reserve your date.

Private Trip Pricing

10 or more Guests: from $2,899 pp dbl occ
9 Guests: from $3,299 pp dbl occ
8 Guests: from $3,499 pp dbl occ
2-7 Guests: Give us a call or reach out here!

Please click on a date below for specific pricing and possible itinerary variations.

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2+ AVAILABLE TO BOOK
for 2 or more guests
8+ AVAILABLE TO BOOK
for 8 or more guests
16+ AVAILABLE TO BOOK
for 16 or more guests
Reserved

C Couples, Friends & Solos Tours

2020 September

8+ 9/13–9/17

2020 October

8+ 10/5–10/9

View Scheduled Dates

Tell us what your dream trip would be and we'll make it happen! Whether you're looking for a honeymoon trip for 2, a 30-person family reunion or a 100-person corporate trip, we can do it all. A dedicated Custom Trip Consultant will work closely with you to bring your dreams to reality. Call us at 800-462-2848 to speak with your Custom Trip Consultant or click on the button below.

REQUEST YOUR CUSTOM TRIP NOW

Previous: Overview

Dates

C Couples, Friends & Solos Tours

2020
May
Jun
Sep
Oct

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Prices

From $2,899 - $3,049 pp dbl. occ.
5 days / 4 nights

Call for single supplement pricing

Reviews

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Premiere Hotels*

Hotel Domestique

Travelers Rest (2 nights)

Pilot Cove

Pisgah Forest (1 night)

* Casual Hotel

Inn on Biltmore Estate

Asheville (1 night)

See Lodging Details

Activity Level

This trip is rated Levels 2-5

See Daily Route Options

What's Included

Services and equipment are included.

See how we include more

Why Backroads

Why Travel with Backroads in North and South Carolina

Find out What sets us apart

More On This Trip

View more photos

Watch videos

Detailed Itinerary Reserve This Trip

Reviews by Power Reviews ®

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Next: Lodging

Premiere Hotels*

Accommodations may vary based on departure date. Any difference from what is listed below can be found by clicking on your desired date on the View Scheduled Dates or Private Dates tabs.

Hotel Domestique

Travelers Rest (2 nights)

Set amid the rolling Blue Ridge Mountains, this stylish boutique hotel is the brainchild of 17-time Tour de France competitor George Hincapie and his brother Rich. (pool)

Pilot Cove

Pisgah Forest (1 night)

* Casual Hotel

Bordering Pisgah National Forest, the modern cabins at Pilot Cove are designed to blend into their verdant setting and have easy access to area trails.

Inn on Biltmore Estate

Asheville (1 night)

Savor turn-of-the-century elegance and breathtaking views of the Blue Ridge Mountains at this gracious inn, nestled on Biltmore's majestic estate. (pool, spa)

Previous: Reviews

Next: Activity Level

This Trip Is Rated Levels 2-5

Every Backroads trip is designed to appeal to a wide variety of interests and fitness levels. We know your pace may vary from one day to the next—and your traveling companion's may differ somewhat from yours. So we present a range of mileage options, and each day you decide exactly what and how much you want to do.

Daily Route Options (drag to see full )

Day	EASYGOING				ACTIVE				AVID
Daily Route Options
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Level 4		Level 5
	miles	feet gain	miles	feet gain	miles	feet gain	miles	feet gain	miles	feet gain
1			11*	500	27	1600
2			22*	1000	33	2400	38	3200	57	4400
3			24*	900	36*	1500	44*	3800	60*	4300
4			19*	1300	33*	2500			48	5000
4					34	3800
5	9	600	21	1300

Note:

* Includes shuttle.

Learn more about how we determine our activity level and fully support a range of abilities and interests.

Please note that our distance and elevation figures come from Ride with GPS. Other sources may give differing elevation figures due to different GPS and mapping technologies and other external factors.

Previous: Lodging

Next: What's Included

Meals

All breakfasts, 4 lunches, 4 dinners

Available Bike Options

The key to a stellar day’s ride is a bike that’s perfectly in tune with your cycling style… Backroads has you covered with the best bike fleet in the world! Read on for your available bike options for this trip.

Backroads Titanium Bikes (Included in your trip price)

Our custom-built titanium bikes are specially designed for you—and we offer different models for varied terrain so your bike is ideally suited to the region. Our custom-made bikes are included in your trip price.

Touring Bike (Included)

Performance Road Bike (Included)

NEW! Backroads Custom Electric-Assist Bike (Included in your trip price – Available beginning 4/1 in North America, 5/1 in Europe and 11/1 outside of Europe and North America.)

Our newly redesigned Titanium Electric-Assist Bike is a lightweight yet powerful machine unique in the world of e-bikes. It provides plenty of power (and then some!) to flatten the hills and more than enough battery range to cover the distance. Other outstanding features include the same comfort as our Touring Bikes and lower top tubes for easier mounting and dismounting.

Backroads Custom Electric-Assist Bike (Included)

Cannondale Pro Carbon Upgrade ($400 rental fee)

Delivering phenomenal acceleration and handling in a light and powerful package, the Cannondale 2020 Synapse Hi-MOD pro carbon upgrade is built for experienced cyclists, men and women alike, who are looking for a high-performance bike that doesn’t sacrifice comfort.

Cannondale 2020 Synapse Hi-MOD

Co-Motion Torpedo Tandem ($400 rental fee)

Do you prefer to spin in tandem with your partner? You'll love the Co-Motion Periscope Torpedo tandem on your Backroads trip. You can upgrade to a Co-Motion Torpedo Tandem on your trip.

Co-Motion Torpedo Tandem (Upgrade)

Also Included

Expertise and services of our experienced Trip Leaders
Snacks and beverages between meals
Additional guides and experts from the region on many trips
Van shuttles to support a variety of route options
Comprehensive Travel Planner with detailed pre-trip information
Private guided tours at museums, historic sites, wineries and other select attractions as noted in the Travel Planner
All gratuities at hotels and restaurants
Special events, including wine tastings and other select attractions as mentioned in the Travel Planner
On biking and multi-adventure trips, use of fully equipped Backroads titanium bike plus helmet and accessories
Trailercycles, carriers, and kid-sized helmets for Family Trips
Equipment and experienced guides for kayaking, rafting, snorkeling, sailing and canoeing as described
Park and other entry fees
Fares for trains, ferries and other modes of travel as listed in the Travel Planner
Select coach transfers
Baggage transfers and porterage

Previous: Activity Level

Next: Why Backroads

Get the Straight Talk about This Trip

We want to make sure you're on the right trip and that you have the best experience possible. Every Backroads trip is unique and this one is no exception.

Previous: What's Included

Next: Why Backroads

Why Travel with Backroads in North and South Carolina

Great Bikes Included

Our custom-designed titanium bikes are best in class. From avid cyclists to easygoing riders, we believe that everyone deserves a seriously great bike to match their riding style. Learn more about our bike fleet.

Navigate Your Way in North and South Carolina

Your ride comes equipped with a GPS device, preloaded with all the routes and route options for your trip. If you prefer to bring your own device, we also have downloadable GPS files and of course, our good old paper directions are always available. Read more on why our navigation options are the best.

A Variety of Routes Each Day

In North and South Carolina you head off each morning after choosing among several expertly designed routes—all with detailed directions, mileage and shuttle options. Unlike trips with one fixed daily route (or worse, one guide that everyone's obliged to follow), you're free to enjoy the best of the region at your pace, stopping wherever you want to explore further.

A Second Van When You Need It

Backroads is the only active travel company providing two support vans in North and South Carolina—because we know it's essential to ensure a truly great travel experience. It doubles our ability to be there when you need us to offer hydration, lighten your load or give you a lift if it's time to take a break. Read more on why two vans make all the difference.

Everyone at Their Own Pace

We design and support our North and South Carolina trips to suit mixed abilities and varied interests—so you can set your own pace, then change things up as the day unfolds. And all guests are free to do the same, traveling together or apart, with no one cramping anyone else's style. Which sounds easy in theory, but it's hard to pull off. Here's more on how we do it.

The Best Leaders in North and South Carolina

Backroads has the best-qualified people to lead your trip in North and South Carolina, and our guests back that up, rating our Trip Leaders an average of 9.75 out of 10 for all-around quality of performance. Get the facts (and no fluff) on how we recruit and develop the very best people for your trip.

Only the Best Hotels

On this trip featuring Premiere Hotels, you can count on the best lodgings North and South Carolina has to offer. In fact, the hotels we've chosen in this region have higher retail room rates than those offered by any other active travel company—even when their trips cost more.

We Live in the Neighborhood

Our Trip Leaders in North and South Carolina live in the area and are deeply engaged in their communities, giving them unique inside knowledge they're happy to share in making your experience that much richer. They'll introduce you to people, customs and parts of town you'd likely never encounter on your own—and teach you a few local phrases to help break the ice.

Your Trip Will Run. Period.

Under our Book with Confidence policy, your Backroads trip will run even for one or two people (or a family of three or four), subject to a nominal extra fee. Or transfer to another trip, and we'll give you a credit. It's all part of our trademark commitment to treating guests with integrity, transparency and total accountability. Read all the details.

Quality You Can Measure

Since 1979, Backroads Founder and President Tom Hale has shown that staying #1 means constantly evaluating our performance using the best possible source of information: our guests. As we systematically analyze your feedback on our trip consultants, leaders, hotels, meals and on-trip activities, we never stop working to make a great company even better.

Previous: What's Included

Detailed Itinerary Reserve This Trip

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Backroads North & South Carolina Bike Tours

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Featured Blog Story

Books that Inspire Adventure

Cozy up next to the yule log with one of these inspirational books.

Days Prior to Trip Start	Scheduled Trips	Private & Custom Trips
156+ days	$200**	$600
126-155 days	$200**	30%
96-125 days	$200**	50%
61-95 days	30%	75%
31-60 days	60%	100%
0-30 days	100%	100%

The Carolinas Bike Tour