Linville Gorge

Linville Gorge called the Grand Canyon of North Carolina and is one of the states true treasures. The gorge encompassing close to 12,000 acres of true wilderness is one of the more dramatic and scenic areas east of the Mississippi. The Linville River begins its journey from the top of Grandfather Mountain meandering its way through the steep and rugged cliffs of the gorge. Its twelve mile section through the gorge offers one of the more scenic waterfalls in the southeast, Linville Falls. The photography opportunity of the falls is easily accessible by anyone with a short hike from the parking area. The walls of the gorge average 3400 feet in elevation with the largest mountain, Gingercake topping out at 4,120. Table Rock, Hawksbill, The Chimneys, Sitting Bear, and Wisman's View are all mountains towering over the gorge that offer dramatic views and are waiting to be explored.

Linville Gorge backpacking opportunities are infinite. Brown Dog Adventure Tours will take time with each customer carefully designing and planning a trek that is suitable for the particular group. If you would like to try rock climbing, the gorge is one of the most popular climbing destinations in the southeast. Fly Fishing, why not? Linville River is full of wild trout. If your idea of backpacking is spending time with nature, meditating, or facilitating a yoga class, this can be achieved. Heard of the Brown Mountain Lights? This is a natural, unexplained phenomenon of lights pulsating vibrantly and traveling through the forest at rapid speeds. They have been witnessed by Native American's atop Wiseman's View for centuries. All these opportunities are waiting for you at Linville Gorge. If you choose to go without a guide use caution navigating, the trails here are very primitive.

Additional Activities: Fly-Fishing, Rock Climbing

Panthertown Valley

Referred to as, 'The Yosemite of the East,' Panthertown Valley is an outdoorsman's dream come true. With 6,700 acres of wilderness to explore this valley has something for everyone. With the terrain being much more accommodating for the light-at-heart hiker, the valley offers scenes that one would find in a storybook. Three mountains with sheer rock faces upwards of 300 feet apiece looking down on the valley, miles of trout rivers waiting to be fished, countless waterfalls with swimming holes lurking around each corner, mountain bike trails galore, and 11 different natural communities all within the valley. This is why we call it an outdoorsman's dream come true. There is no official trail map for Panthertown, and the only one in print still leaves the likely hood of getting lost. All the trails are unmarked, and you will quickly realize that using the map entirely for navigation should not be your primary source for orientation. A guide is the best way to explore the wonders of the valley.

Brown Dog Adventure Tours will gladly plan your next backpacking adventure here. We will customize an adventure for each group. The possibilities of additional activities here include, mountain biking, fly-fishing, and rock climbing. The terrain in the valley is primarily flat, with three mountains surrounding you. This terrain is conducive for people of all physical and ability levels. If your group chooses to backpack into a base camp and take day hikes from there, this can be arranged. We will take day hikes to various water falls, taking time to soak in the sun after a refreshing dip. Want to build confidence in a group through team-building initiatives or simply play games in the woods, our guides are properly trained to facilitate these needs. Everyone should experience this hidden treasure located in the heart of the Nantahala National Forest .

Additional Activities:
Fly-Fishing, Rock Climbing, Mountain Biking