Rafting Expeditions Offer Close-up View of French Broad River
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Like a meandering silver ribbon‚ the French Broad River carves its way through the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains. And if this wasn’t enough‚ the river cascades through the renowned‚ 8‚000-acre Biltmore Estate.
In Asheville‚ three rafting companies provide plenty of opportunities to enjoy the river up close and personal.
The French Broad Rafting Expeditions - FBRE - offers morning‚ afternoon and evening sunset trips‚ with both calm and white-water rafting experiences. A family-operated business‚ owners Michael and Mitchell Hampton have 23 years of experience guiding rafts on white-water rivers. The company operates on this policy: An experienced guide goes in every raft. That’s not only for safety‚ but so that guides can relate historical facts about the river‚ identify the rapids by name and teach paddling techniques and water safety.
“Between March and October‚ approximately 7‚000 guests rafted or canoed down the river” says Michael Hampton.
Southern Waterways‚ owned by David and Melanie Donnell‚ offers both water-oriented activities and land-based activities.
“All our trips take place on calm‚ quiet water and are self-guided‚ unless a guide is requested‚” David Donnell says. “Trips cover 7 to 12 miles‚ with the season running April through October.”
The Biltmore Estate now offers rafting trips on the French Broad to their visitors - just one of the outdoor activities available through the Explore Biltmore Estate program.
“The activities offered through the program reflect the growing interest in soft adventure and more active vacations‚” said Director of Outdoor Programs Lee Reading. “The program exposes our guests to fascinating aspects of the 8‚000-acre estate they might not encounter otherwise.”
The peaceful currents provide majestic views of Biltmore House’s west facade. Guests can paddle in a raft with friends and a knowledgeable instructor or try their hand at maneuvering a recreational kayak.
Story by Carolyn R. Tomlin
