Join us for an invigorating wellness running retreat in Asheville, North Carolina, where you'll experience the power of community and nature in the heart of the Appalachian Mountains. 
The charm of this mountain town coupled with enriching trail running experiences will foster a deep connection to the location and women around you. Discover your inner strength by challenging yourself along the mountain range’s elevation and reward yourself with mind and body restoration activities. With a mindfulness lens, this retreat will allow you to grow your best self both on and off the trail.
Run with mindfulness alongside a community each morning through scenic mountain trails
Restore your body’s mind and minerals with pink Himalayan salt cave meditation
Feed your body with local farm-to-table, tapas, and craft brewery dining experiences
Watch the sunset while stand-up paddle boarding on the French Broad River
Stay three nights at Asheville’s historic Biltmore Estate, with an option to tour its 8000-acres
Unwind and detox in an afternoon community sauna
Stretch out with group morning yoga
Start your days off with guided mindful runs along rolling peaks amongst some of the United State’s oldest mountains. The Appalachian range will provide trails of elevation and decline that will challenge beginner runners while rewarding them with aerial views and a sense of accomplishment. In between these climbs, ridgeline runs will allow moments of breath to take in the visually stunning atmosphere. Connecting to the surrounding land and community of women runners will bring power to your pace and mind, fostering personal growth, throughout the entirety of this wellness retreat trip.
Mindful Running is this retreat's defining experience. Your dedicated Retreat Leader will lead you through practices, on and off the trail, that are designed to help you discover how to run with more ease and flow. If you've never run trails before, you'll learn how to adapt your road running technique for this new terrain. And if you're an experienced trail runner, you'll take your running to a whole new level of efficiency and joy. Connect more deeply with nature, yourself and other women through this powerful practice that provides you with skills and insights to maximize the stress-reducing effects of running.
After mornings spent on the trail, relax and recharge among the local mountain environment and various activities that provide a space for moments of gratitude for your body and nature’s opportunities. Spend your Asheville afternoons meditating within the warm amber ambience of a pink Himalayan salt cave and relaxing in a sauna to relieve stress and inflammation. At the confluence of the Swannanoa River and the French Broad River, the naturally grounding landscapes will uplift your energy through the retreat and all the way until the last morning’s group yoga, feeling admiration for your refreshed body and mind.
Your homebase will be the Biltmore Estate, where you will be able to recharge in a renowned American landmark. Explore and adventure further into Asheville’s natural beauty with the beautifully landscaped ground. Experience the domestic and cozy atmosphere of Asheville by exploring the Biltmore’s Antler Hill Village, hosting a range of cultural culinary experiences–especially known for its craft breweries. The 3 nights spent here will combine luxury, history, art, and nature, rounding out your retreat experience with leisure.
This experience is a Level II and is perfect for women who:
Are comfortable with runs or hikes lasting 1–3 hours, including breaks for water, photos, and taking in the views.
Can comfortably run at least 3 miles at a time.
Embrace a sense of adventure and enjoy trails that may include some roots, rocks, or uneven terrain.
Love trying new things and are open to learning and practicing mindful running techniques.
Don’t mind running at a conversational pace and stopping to enjoy the scenery.
Are prepared for the possibility of rain, equipped with the essentials from a provided packing list.
Have (or are willing to acquire before the retreat) trail running shoes and a hydration pack.
Seek a meaningful balance of adventure, relaxation, and personal growth.
Don't want to be rushed getting to the retreat? Want a day to adjust to the time zone?
This is for you!
Enjoy one additional night (September 3rd) at the Biltmore Estates prior to the retreat (no need to move rooms when the retreats starts)! You'll have access to all the on-site amenities so you are relaxed and settled when the retreat starts plus breakfast the next morning.
Don't want to race to the airport on the last day of the retreat? Want one more day to relax before returning to the real world?
This is for you!
Enjoy one additional night (September 7th) at the Biltmore Estates after the retreat (no need to move rooms)! You'll have access to all the on-site amenities plus breakfast the next morning.
Asheville, NC, USA 
After our Welcome Meeting, we will head out on our "shakeout" run. While this run is short, it is intended to help you shake the fatigue of travel and nerves that are very common at the start of a retreat! 
After a restful night at the Inn on Biltmore Estate, enjoy breakfast at the Biltmore Buffet. We will meet our local guides and head out to run John Rock Loop, a scenic run through the lush Pisgah National Forest. The trail takes you past streams, dense forest and up to the summit of John Rock where you'll be rewarded with breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding mountains. While on the trail, our retreat leader will lead our Pacing Clinic. 
Today we will enjoy breakfast at the hotel and then head out to the Dupont State Forest . If you like waterfalls, then you will love this run! This route follows a mix of gravel roads and dirt trails to visit three of the region's most dramatic waterfalls. We'll spend the first part on level gravel with an out-and-back visit to Bridal Veil Falls. After that, we'll descend the High Falls trail to visit two more stunning cascades, High Falls and Triple Falls, before finishing with a steady hike back up to the trailhead. You may recognize some of these waterfalls! Dupont State Forest has been a filming site for several movies including The Hunger Games and Last of the Mohicans..jpg?fit=crop&crop=entropy&h=45&w=45&auto=format)
Today, we’ll enjoy our final breakfast at the Biltmore before heading to Black Balsam, a favorite destination of many Western North Carolina trail runners. The views from Tennent Mountain and Black Balsam Knob are arguably some of the best in the southeast. This first half of this loop follows the level Ivestor Gap dirt road to the Shining Rock wilderness boundary. On the more technical second half of the run, you'll climb and descend the route's two peaks on the most dramatic and scenic section of the Art Loeb Trail.
