The Adventure Begins at the Trail Head Lodge....

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Exterior Look of the Trail Head Lodge--not the private downstairs entry

The THL Great Room is Pet Friendly and so is Wolf Laurel. Leashes required.

THL Sunsets...did we mention we are IN the BLUE RIDGE mountains!

Overview
Amenities
Policies
Location
Host

Very good

3 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 12232.3 sq m

Popular amenities

Parking available
Pool
Dryer
Pet-friendly
Washer
Barbecue grill

Explore the area

Mars Hill, NC

Hatley Pointe Ski Resort
‪11 min drive‬
Sams Gap
‪29 min drive‬
Biltmore Estate
‪62 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 12)

Bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 2

2 Single Bunk Beds

Bedroom 3

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 4

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 5

1 Double Futon

2 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Bathroom 2

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Spaces

Deck or patio

Porch or lanai

Kitchen

Kitchenette

Office

Balcony

Dining area

About this property

Hi, the Trailhead Lodge is a pet friendly full service lodge with on-site innkeeper support and service amenities. Our property provides a rejuvenating experience for families, friends and solo travelers alike. The Lodge is part of the Wolf Laurel community and is close to high adventure water rafting (CL III/IV), zip lines, French Broad and Nolichucky River floats and Asheville’s markets and meals! We have space and grace so come enjoy our views and hospitality.

We have 2 private rooms that share a common bathroom and a semi-private room that adjoins the bunk room/rec room basement. The basement bunk room has a separate bathroom.

Our innkeeper support gives you tidy services and laundry support so you can totally focus on your planned activities, rest and relaxation. Logistics on the mountain are localized and take additional time. We give you that time back or assist you with day - day prep. We assist with meals so you can leave early and come back to a ready feast from zip line adventure or hiking. We also provide tea and coffee service all day for those that want to Lounge at the Lodge.

Our innkeeper maintains a fully separate suite that adjoins the laundry, kitchen and cleaning area to maintain prep and services for your visit. You will love letting us host your visit.

Property manager

Doug Orman

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Pool

Kitchen

Washer

Dryer

Pet-friendly

Free WiFi

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Hot tub
Kitchen
Washer
Dryer

House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM

Minimum age to rent: 30

Check out before 11:00 AM

Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17

Events

Events allowed: family gatherings and birthday parties

Pets

Pets allowed: dogs and cats (limit 2 total)

No aggressive breeds. (List defined). Leash/muzzle

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Wolf Laurel is a high wind wooded environment…in keeping with community policy no open fires of any kind are allowed.

Wolf Laurel is a deed and covenant protected community--No motorcycles, ATV, Side-by-sides, golf carts are allowed.

WL is Gated and Security Patrolled. Guests must provide a valid Driver's License and separate self-portrait for the WL Security Data Base.

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy

Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges

Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed

Parties and events (including family gatherings and birthday parties) are allowed on site. Maximum attendees: 12

Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property

Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property

Safety features at this property include a first aid kit

About the area

Mars Hill

Located in Wolf Laurel, a neighbourhood in Mars Hill, this holiday home is in a rural area and next to a golf course. Hatley Pointe Ski Resort and Hot Springs Resort And Spa are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore Pisgah National Forest and Sams Gap. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.

Mars Hill, NC

What's nearby

Hatley Pointe Ski Resort - 11 min drive - 5.8 km
Big Bald - 12 min drive - 6.2 km
Sams Gap - 29 min drive - 20.2 km
Harrah's Cherokee Center - Asheville - 50 min drive - 58.4 km
Biltmore Estate - 62 min drive - 59.8 km

Getting around

Asheville Regional Airport (AVL) - 74 min drive

Restaurants

‪Wolf Creek Market - ‬21 min drive
‪Little Creek Cafe - ‬27 min drive
‪Natural Harvest Foods - ‬31 min drive
‪Sky Blue - ‬35 min drive
‪Mountaintop Grill - ‬10 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Does The Adventure Begins at the Trail Head Lodge.... have a pool?

Yes, this property has a pool.

Is The Adventure Begins at the Trail Head Lodge.... pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows cats and dogs (limit 2 total).

What time is check-in at The Adventure Begins at the Trail Head Lodge....?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at The Adventure Begins at the Trail Head Lodge....?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is The Adventure Begins at the Trail Head Lodge.... located?

Offering ski-in/ski-out access, this holiday home in Wolf Laurel is in the mountains, within 6 mi (10 km) of Pisgah National Forest and Hatley Pointe Ski Resort, and close to winter activities such as sledging. Emerald Village and Reems Creek Golf Club are also within 32 miles (52 km).

8.4

Very good

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.

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8.8/10

Cleanliness

8.8/10

Check-in

8.4/10

Communication

9.2/10

Location

8.4/10

Listing accuracy

10/10 Excellent

Megan H., Bell, FL, United States

4 Jan 2022

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great visit!

Our family of 6 had a great time at this property. The location was beautiful and the home was spacious and fit our needs perfectly. My kids were able to ride the ski lift up and walk right to the house when they were done skiing. Doug was a great host and we would love to stay at this property again!

Stayed 5 nights in Dec 2021

10/10 Excellent

Janet F., Maryland

19 Oct 2021

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Family Gathering

While the occasion to visit this property was to bury a loved one; it brought the 10-ten of us from five different states together. The property was the perfect oasis for hanging out, talking, laughing, playing games and soaking in the views. Doug was wonderful with communicating and understanding our needs, and answering questions in real time during the trip. The house was fully furnished with everything needed; fully stocked kitchen, laundry, family gaming area, deck with views and great outdoor furniture. I would definitely return, hopefully under better circumstances, and would highly recommend for your travel and vacation needs.

Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2021

10/10 Excellent

Kathryn w.

22 Feb 2022

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Mountain fun

We had a wonderful stay at this property. The views are amazing. The nice wood-burning fireplace in the Big Ten was so relaxing. Great place for children to play and have fun while adults relax upstairs .

Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2022

2/10 Terrible

Janet H.

3 Dec 2021

Disliked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, listing accuracy

Awful Thanksgiving Getaway

We arrived (3 ladies) on 11/23. We were expecting to stay for 5 nights. We left 2 days early due to several issues: - No heat on the lower level where bedroom 3, bathroom 2, and the game room were located. It was ~55 during the day and much colder at night - No TV due to weak WIFI signal and no cable. - Coffee-maker that didn't work - Alarm that went off every time a door opened 24/7(there were 4 patio doors) - Chimes that went off on the hour and 1/2 hour - Could not sleep on the couch due to all the racket and the loud trumpet of reveille that went off early in the morning - There was a large load of towels in the wash machine left from the previous renters (all wet so we had to dry, and fold them) - Pet stains in the primary bedroom that had not been cleaned up - No way to lock up while we were out since we were not provided any keys so our valuables were not secure We contacted the owner via text and phone on Tuesday 11/23 to alert him about the heat, TV, the lights that didn't work on the lower level. At that time he said to me that maybe we should go somewhere else and that he would give us our money back. However, he texted back that he was having someone come out on Wednesday to address the issues. I texted the owner on Wednesday AM to tell him that the coffee maker didn't work. The handyman showed up mid-day and he tried to fix the issues including the heat. All that he could fix were the lights since a circuit breaker on the panel in the garage had tripped. He said that what was need for the TV was a WIFI booster and batteries for the remotes. He'd talk to the owner about getting someone to fix the furnace downstairs or get us an auxiliary heater, find out how to get the coffeemaker working, and see if the owner could call the alarm company to stop all the alarms, chimes and reveille. The handyman was going to come back later that day so we took our dogs with us and left for the afternoon. No one came and that is the last we have heard from the handyman or the owner. We have called, texted, and emailed the owner who just ignores us. We traveled many hours to meet and enjoy our time together as we only visit one or two times a year. However, because this experience was so unpleasant, we left 2 days earlier than anticipated, we each returned home. I texted the owner advising that we were leaving Friday. We pulled sheets and towels, cleaned the Kitchen & dishes and consolidated the trash. I emailed the owner summarizing the issues.

Stayed 5 nights in Nov 2021

10/10 Excellent

Cadman K.

20 Oct 2021

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great experience in a beautiful place.

This was just the kind of experience my friends and I were looking for. Quite secluded with amazing views and quick access to hiking. Had an issue with a malfunctioning refrigerator and the owner was on it instantly and got it fixed. Highly recommend!

Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2021

About the host

Hosted by Doug Orman

Hello and Greetings! My name is Doug Orman. I own, operate and maintain the magic and majesty that is the Trail Head Lodge in the Wolf Laurel Community. I am a retired US Army Special Forces Lieutenant Colonel and with my girlfriend, Sally McCauley, we have opened our doors and 'back-yard' of the Pisgah and Cherokee National Forest to better help you and yours share the beauty of our nation in hopes that we can better understand how to protect it for the future of others and grown personal partnerships in the process. The lodge was my part of my 'life-plan' to allow me a 'reverse snow-bird' experience from the tropical summers and Hurricane instabilities that occur with a primary residence in Florida. I have many life-support hobbies that the lodge lets me explore...whether it be cooking, hiking, providing trail support and counsel, logistics planning or just spinning a yarn...it's all part of me at the lodge.

Why they chose this property

2 Words, 2 times: Wolf Laurel; Appalachian Trail. The Trail Head Lodge (THL) is situated at the foot of Big Bald Moutain and directly at the TN-NC state line gap. The THL is also protected by a gated and roving security enforced community with hiking access for pick-up and drop off 24/7 from a private parking lot only available to residents of Wolf Laurel. Guests of the THL can experience a guided trip to the top of Big Bald with myself, the owner and innkeeper, via 4x4 and legal waiver access! It is a special allure of this property. We also have ski-in//ski-out access to the SKI THE WOLF resort. The property was one of the initial properties developed in the 80's and is situated in a turn that gives it complete privacy and a vista that compares with much more precariously situated homes here on the mountain. The basement of the property provides guest the privacy, rest, recreation and relaxation of their choosing but also allows families to supervise the recreation room activities. The THL embraces the sounds of music and has an upright and electric piano available for play. The THL is a gateway for a journey ...take and share your path with us!

What makes this property unique

2 x private trails with access to the Appalachian Trail....
Innkeeper coordinated high-adventure Day Hikes with Drop-off and Pick-up
On premise meal/refuse/room support
Laundry support
Swimming
Tennis
Pickleball
Seasonal Skiing
Trout Pond
Office (100+MBPS DL//20+MBPS UL), printer....commercial support

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Reviews

Popular amenities

Explore the area

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 12)

Bedroom 1

Bedroom 2

Bedroom 3

Bedroom 4

Bedroom 5

2 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Bathroom 2

Spaces

About this property