2026 Guided Hikes
2026 BRC Hikes Schedule
April 23 - Earth Week Cleanup at BRC Conservation Campus - 12-3 pm
May 9 - Tour of Luisa Farms Property OPEN FOR RSVPS
Description of Experience - Landowner Scott McNeely owns approximately ~800 acres in eastern Wilkes county. He has partnered with Blue Ridge Conservancy to protect over 80% of that land under two conservation easements over the years. The Luisa Farms tour will showcase one of Mr. McNeely’s diverse properties, protected by a 650 acre conservation easement. On the tour Mr. McNeely will share his impressive management of the property including habitat enhancement for white-tailed deer and eastern wild turkeys, increasing year-round food availability, and balancing agricultural production with wildlife habitat by converting less productive farmland into permanent native vegetation, which benefits early successional wildlife and pollinators. The tour is vehicle-based due to the vastness of the property and involves minimal walking. Over a few hours, we will make several stops to explore the property and discuss the landowner's comprehensive management practices in detail.
June 13 - Guided Tour of AppState’s Blackburn-Vannoy Sustainable Development Farm
July 11 - Hike & Blueberry Picking at Old Orchard Creek Farm - this is very strenuous hike
August 22 - Guided Hike at Three Top Mountain - moderately strenuous hike
October 17 - Guided Hike at Peak Mountain - moderately strenuous hike
This is a great chance to get outside and explore the High Country. Each hiking location has its own unique story about how it was conserved. Some are on public land that BRC helped acquire, or private conservation easements held by BRC. All hikes are guided by BRC’s staff.
Registration required. Directions and hiking logistics will be emailed to those signed up the week prior to the hike. There is limited space available for each hike. Registration for the next hike opens on the Monday following each hike.
If signing up for multiple people, please put each person’s information in separately. Thank you!
