Mounted on a fine horse matched to your skill, explore with us the incomparable beauty of the Great Smoky Mountains. Unique among Asheville trail ride stables, Randall Glen offers horseback riding like you've never experienced before, with many miles of unspoiled wilderness trails. Surrounded by breathtaking mountain views, we ride forest tracks and high meadows, through knee-deep wildflowers, past rushing creeks and pioneer cabins. Join us for true North Carolina mountain trail riding. Whether you're a first time or a lifetime rider, at Randall Glen Stables you'll have a ride you'll never forget.

• Our Stable
• Our Trails
• Our Lunch Rides
• Rates and Reservations
• Location
• FAQs
• Trail Ride Album

Our stable offers quality and luxury far beyond the average trail experience. By their glossy coats and willing attitudes, you can tell that we care about our horses and about their riders. We keep our horses in top condition, and regularly work with each one to make sure it’s dependable, kind, and sure footed. We take pride that with our horses, whether you’ve never ridden before or whether you’ve ridden all your life, you’ll have a great ride.

We specialize in small, custom trail rides. Wherever possible, we limit the group to your party alone. We prefer to take out one to six riders at a time, and never more than eight. No long lines of nose-to-tail nags—we want our riders to have a true riding experience! And because of our low key, small scale approach, we can customize your ride to suit you. We’ll be glad to tailor the type of trail, the kind of horse, and how long you ride.

Our horses are outfitted with Australian saddles designed for the ultimate in rider comfort and safety. The Aussie is similar to a Western saddle, but with a deeper seat, more comfortable stirrups, and "poleys"-thigh blocks that keep you firmly in the saddle even on rough terrain. Best of all, the Aussie can be ridden either Western or English style. We mount you on a horse matched to your size and your skill level, and provide instruction as needed. All of our trail rides are led by experienced professional guides.

We ride our own mountain and meadows as well as historic wagon roads, pioneer trails, and thousands of acres of nature preserve. Starting at 3100' and going to more than a mile in elevation, our trails include every kind of terrain. You'll pass centuries-old mountain farms with authentic log cabins. You'll ride through mountain glades where the only sounds are tumbling creeks and birdsong. You're likely to see wild turkey, hawks, deer, rare birds and wildflowers--perhaps even a coyote or bobcat. So high that you may actually ride through a cloud, you'll stand on mountaintops with the world at your feet. And on our gourmet lunch ride, you'll dine with linens and silver in a lush Alpine dell. Because of the mountain terrain, most of our rides are walking pace with occasional trot.

Our experienced guides make sure you’ll have a safe and fun ride. We supply insect repellant and sunscreen if it's needed, and longer rides include snacks or lunch. From a one-hour ride to an all-day outing or gourmet lunch ride, we promise a memorable time to every rider. And if you like variety, we have many different trails, and even an outpost at the other end of the valley with trails from there. You can ride with us time after time and have a different experience on each ride.

You’ve never had a picnic like a Randall Glen lunch ride. From the great horses to the gorgeous trails to the five-star lunch, this is a ride to remember. We have lunch rides for every rider, beginner to experienced, and from 2 hours to all day. We even have a Wagon Lunch Ride for those who don’t ride at all! Whichever ride you choose, you’re going to have a lifetime experience. Can you imagine riding a pristine forest trail, then tying up your horse and opening your saddlebag for a lunch like this?

And for a ride that’s beyond anything you’ve dreamed of, join us for a Silver Service Gourmet Lunch Ride. Ride your horse to a mountain meadow where you’ll be met with a three-course luncheon served with tablecloths, linen napkins, and sterling silver. Start with hors d’oeuvres and a champagne toast in a crystal glass, then dine at leisure in the fresh mountain air.

RATES

One Hour Ride	$40
This is a beautiful ride, with gorgeous wooded trails on a mountainside, creeks, and mountain vistas. Recommended for intermediate riders to experienced riders, but can be tailored for beginners.
1 1/2 Hour Ride	$55
Mountain trails, log cabins and barns, and rushing creeks. Recommended for intermediate to experienced riders, but can be tailored for beginners.
2 Hour Ride	$75
This is a wonderful ride past mountain farms and log cabins, then into conservation wilderness with wooded mountain trails, waterfalls, and rushing creeks. Recommended for intermediate to experienced riders, but can be tailored for beginners.
2 1/2 Hour Lunch Ride	$110
Log cabins, wildflowers, wooded mountain trails along a rushing creek, and a stop for a hearty picnic lunch. Tailored to any skill level.
3 Hour Waterfall Ride	$110
One of our best rides. Log cabins, wooded trails and wildflowers, a beautiful creek filled with waterfalls, and a rhododendron glade with a 50-foot waterfall. Tailored to any skill level.
Half Day Waterfall Ride	$150
A really special experience. Ride the waterfall trail with log cabins, wildflowers, and creek filled with waterfalls. Enjoy a hearty picnic in the glade by the 50-foot waterfall, then ride the wooded mountainside. 4 or more hours, and tailored to any skill level.
Half Day Mountaintop Ride	$150
This is a ride you won’t forget. Ride past historic farms and into unspoiled wilderness, where you’ll follow a bold creek and climb upward on forest trails. You’ll burst out into a high mountaintop meadow with 20-mile views. Includes a hearty picnic lunch. 4 or more hours and challenging, this ride is recommended for intermediate to experienced riders.
All Day Ride	$275
An incredibly beautiful ride, climbing up through wooded glades past waterfalls and laurel forests, with a hearty picnic lunch in a mountop meadow at 5000 feet. Continue on along the wooded mountainside for an afternoon snack in the glade by the 50-foot waterfall. Over 6 hours with some rugged terrain, this ride is recommended for upper intermediate to experienced riders.
Silver Service Lunch Ride	$200
The riding experience of a lifetime. Ride through beautiful woods on a pioneer wagon road, then enjoy a linens-and-silver gourmet lunch in a meadow with a mountain panorama. This incredible ride lasts 2 or more hours, includes a three course luncheon, and is tailored to any skill level, even “never been on a horse”.
1/2 Hour Paddock Ride	$30
A hand-led ride for children or those who prefer to not ride on trail. Not just “round and round in a ring”, this is a mini trail ride. Riders are mounted on horses specially selected for gentleness, and our guides on foot lead the horses through our woods and pastures to the old log settler's cabin.
Hayrides and Wagon Rides
1 hour:   $40 per person 1 ½ hours:   $55 per person 2 hours:   $75 per person Children 2 and under ride free.
Does your party include young children or nonriders, but you'd still like to enjoy a horse experience? Take a ride in our red wagon pulled by Pete and Jake, our team of Haflingers! Ride in style on the seats, or we'll take up the seats and fill the bed with hay. In the summer it’s a beautiful ride through the valley, and in the winter the harness jingles with sleighbells.
Country Wagon Lunch Ride	$75 per person
	Children 2 and under are free.
This is a great way for your whole family to enjoy a lunch ride together. We'll hitch up Pete and Jake and take you down the road, clip-clop, clip-clop past mountains, farms, and creeks, then we'll stop in a meadow for an old fashioned country picnic, lemonade and all. 1 ½ hours or more, and we'll even bring along horseshoes for a game of pitching.

We'll also be delighted to design a custom ride for your party.

RESERVATIONS

Reservations are required, 24 hours in advance. For trail ride information and reservations, please contact us at info@RandallGlen.com , or call us at 828-683-5758.

We're located in Big Sandy Mush, about 40 minutes from Patton Avenue in Asheville. For Directions to Randall Glen, please click here.

RANDALL GLEN STABLES
96 RANDALL COVE ROAD
LEICESTER, NORTH CAROLINA 28748

828-683-5758

Do I need reservations?
Reservations are required, at least 24 hours in advance. When you call we'll ask about each rider's age, size, and skill level. This will allow us to reserve a horse and tack appropriate for each rider. We ask that you secure your reservation with a credit card. You will not be charged in advance, and you have no obligation if bad weather makes it impossible to ride, but you will be charged if you simply do not show up, or cancel at the last minute. Our rides are customized to each party, and the horses will be saddled and waiting for you, and you alone. We may have turned away others who wanted to ride. We ask that you are considerate in arriving for your reserved ride. You’ll be glad you did, because you’ll have a great ride!

Do I need to know how to ride?
No. We can mount you on a gentle horse that knows how to take care of its rider, and we'll give you basic instruction before we start on the ride. During the ride your professional guide will keep an eye on you and make sure that you have a safe and pleasant ride.

What should I wear?
We ask that you wear closed-toe shoes that will stay securely on your feet. Long pants are recommended to protect your legs from rubbing and from branches or thorns on trail. It's best to avoid loose, floppy clothing that could catch on branches, as well as hats or other items that might fall off.

How early should I get there?
Please arrive at least a half hour before your reserved time. This gives us time to get acquainted, take care of paperwork, and set you up with your horse.

What are the trails like?
We ride on our own property as well as on surrounding conservancy land. Trails go through both woods and pastures and include old wagon roads, logging roads, and narrow forest trails. We may make creek crossings and pass through gates. To reach some of the longer trails we may ride on nearby paved roads where traffic is light. Depending on the skill level required for the ride, some trails are gentle while some are quite rugged. Since we are in the mountains, most trails go up and down and the terrain can be rocky. Trails for beginning riders are not very steep.

Are the trail rides accompanied by guides? Can I ride alone?
For your safety, we do not allow anyone to ride without a guide.

What kind of horses do you have?
Our herd includes Quarterhorses, Walking and Standardbred horses, sturdy draft crosses, and two Belgian draft horses. They range from large pony size to over 16 hands, so we can mount you on a horse that's right for you. None of our horses are the "nose to tail, plug along" type of trail horse. We have gentle horses suitable for beginners and spirited horses for more experienced riders. We have a professional trainer on staff, and regularly work with each horse to keep it at top performance.

What kind of saddles do you use?
We use Australian saddles designed for rider comfort and safety. The Aussie is similar to a Western saddle, but with a deeper seat, more comfortable stirrups, and "poleys"-thigh blocks that keep you firmly in the saddle even on rough terrain. They're lightweight and very comfortable even for long rides. Best of all, the Aussie can be ridden either Western or English style.

How big a group can ride at one time?
Though we can mount more, we prefer to keep groups to 5 or 6 riders. This allows you to enjoy a more personal riding experience and practice genuine horsemanship. If you have a larger party in mind, though, please give us a call and we'll try to accommodate your needs.

Do you have any safety requirements?
Yes. All riders 15 and under are required to wear certified safety helmets. Minor-age riders 16 and above are required to wear a safety helmet unless the rider's parent or legal guardian has signed a helmet refusal form.

Do you take any other safety precautions?
Yes, we do. Our guides are knowledgeable in first aid, and carry a medical kit on trail as well as a cell phone. We regularly check our trails for fallen limbs, washouts, or other hazards. We make sure that each rider has a saddle that fits them and that the stirrups are the right length. We check each horse's girth before starting and at least hourly on longer rides. Smoking is not allowed near the barn or while on trail, and intoxicated persons will not be allowed to ride or come near the horses.

Do I have to sign anything?
On your first ride with us, we ask each rider to fill out and sign an information and release form. This provides us with helpful information for matching you with a horse as well as emergency contact information if needed. We keep this on file for your next ride, along with notes about your riding preferences. You only need to do this once a year.

Do you have an age requirement?
For their safety, riders under the age of 7 may ride only in a fenced paddock under one acre in size, and their horses will be led by a qualified staff member.

Do you have a size limit?
No, but for the comfort and safety of both rider and horse, riders may weigh no more than 20% of a horse's weight. Riders over 240 pounds can be accommodated, but there are a limited number of large horses and they'll be provided on a first-reserved basis.

What payment methods do you accept?
We accept cash and credit cards (MasterCard and Visa).

Are any refreshments available?
We have a variety of soft drinks available including sodas, fruit drinks, Yoo Hoo, and Frappuccino. Riders are provided with complimentary bottled water.

Can we bring a picnic?
Yes. We have a picnic area, and you're welcome to eat before or after your ride. We just ask that you leave the area as tidy as you found it.

Can non-riders come with us?
Non-riders are welcome to come to Randall Glen, but we ask that all children under 18 be accompanied by a non-riding adult. This is a working farm, and we have no staff or facility to keep an eye on children.

Can I bring my dog?
We ask that you not bring dogs. We have farm dogs and other livestock here, which could result in conflicts, and often the weather is not suitable for leaving a dog in a car.

What if it rains?
If the weather is rainy, give us a call before you come; it might not be raining here. We don't go out if it's actively raining or if rain is imminent, but if the rain has passed we'll ride. Also, mountain weather is unpredictable; keep in mind that sudden showers can come up even on a ride that started off sunny. We'll try to stay as dry as we can. If your ride is canceled due to rain we'll try to reschedule for a time that's convenient to you.

Are you open all year?
Yes, we are. In the winter we play it by ear according to the weather. We keep to the trails with the best footing, and we don't go out if the conditions are too muddy or icy. But if the weather's good, we'll be riding. Just give us a call to check.

We have a special event coming up. Can we have a trail ride just for our group?
Certainly. Give us a call and tell us what you have in mind. We can reserve a ride just for you, and we can also custom design a ride for your group.

Click here to view A Trail Ride Album