There was an error with your log in

Straddling the rugged border of Tennessee and North Carolina as part of the southern Appalachians, Great Smoky Mountains National Park is one of the most biodiverse parts of the US, tailor-made for guided tours and backpacking trips. The area has over 800 miles of hiking trails, encompassing more than 70 miles of the iconic Appalachian Trail. The trails include riverside strolls, forest treks, ridge walks, high-altitude summits, and much more. These wildflower meadows and old-growth forests are also home to a wide array of wildlife, including salamanders, bobcats, deer, and even black bears! Hiking this small sampler of the Appalachians is sure to leave you hungry for more.

Adventure highlights

  • Hike a picturesque portion of the legendary Appalachian Trail

  • Discover Great Smoky Mountain NP’s sensationally diverse flora and fauna

  • Over 80 challenging and extremely varied hiking trails at your disposal

Itinerary

Enjoy a demanding but rewarding hiking trip in Great Smoky Mountains National Park! On this advanced hiking adventure, you’ll take several excursions to the Great Smoky Mountains’ top objectives, such as Gregory Bald and Shuckstack, with a seasoned hiking guide. Get ready for four days of wildlife-spotting and hiking in a section of the legendary Appalachian Trail, and three nights of chilling in cozy campsites, eating great food, and stargazing deep into the night!

  • Arrive in Knoxville, TN, where you’ll meet your guide by noon. Stop for a lunch break in Knoxville (lunch not included) before continuing on to the Smokies. Warm up for the adventures ahead with a short, 2-mile (3.2 km) hike to your first backcountry campsite.
    Meals included: Dinner

    A bear on some rocks in Smoky Mountains National Park
  • This morning, head out bright and early to summit Gregory Bald, known for its spectacular flame azaleas and stunning views of the surrounding hills. Spend the rest of your day hiking down to your riverside campsite to enjoy another night in the Smokies.
    Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner

    Flame azaleas on Gregory Bald in Smoky Mountains National Park
  • Drop your heavy pack and travel the approximately 7 miles (11 km) to Shuckstack Lookout, a fire tower with amazing views of the nearby Fontana Lake, as well as the surrounding mountains. Finish your day with another great meal back at camp.
    Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner

    The view from Shuckstack lookout in the Smoky Mountains
  • Your last day of hiking will also be your most strenuous. Today, you’ll make your way out of the backcountry the same way you came in, moving over Long Hungry Ridge, a beautiful ridge trail with several serene creeks, and back to your van. After this 8 mile (13 km) hike, drive to your glampsite for a much-needed shower and some sleep.

    Some glamping huts in Smoky Mountains National Park
  • After a final breakfast, your guide will take you to Knoxville for goodbyes before you fly home!

    Sunset on a meadow in the Smoky Mountains
Adventure brochure
Download for sharing and offline access to full adventure itineraries, important information, FAQs, guides info and more.
Brochure sent, check your inbox
Talk with us and let one of our adventure experts help you plan your perfect adventure.

Meet your guide

Good Trip Adventures
5.00
Good Trip Adventures
Good Trip Adventures provide world-class experiences for all trippers – from first-timers to experienced travelers. They’re not just a local operator but a national company that ensures consistent experiences of the highest quality. Good Trip guides are professionally licensed. They are vetted thoroughly, trained often, and prepared for the unexpected. Most importantly, they love what they do!
5.00 (3 reviews)
Vasili K. (source: Facebook)

Planning with Good Trip was a breeze. Communication leading up to my hike was great and my tour was completely customized to what I was looking for. Amy was great during and the staff went out of their way to accommodate me.

Erin G. (source: Facebook)

Well thought out and fun trips with Good Trip! I can’t recommend them enough. Good Trip Adventures will take your vacation to the next level!

Cait D. (source: Facebook)

Such thorough, safe planning! Real pros and really fun! Can’t recommend them highly enough!

Things to know

  • 57hours is committed to providing safe outdoor adventure experiences. We require all guides using our platform to have a COVID-19 safety plan and to make the details of that plan accessible to travelers. In most cases, group sizes will be reduced, guides will avoid overcrowded locations, and other safety measures will be met depending on the location and activity.

    We also expect clients to respect local regulations and take measures to protect themselves, their guides, and the communities they’re traveling to. For more information on COVID-19 measures in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, TN, please refer to the official guidelines for international travel into the US and the COVID-19 guidelines for Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

    Please contact us if you have any questions or require further information. We are happy to provide you with the most up-to-date information!

  • What you get on this adventure:

      • A seasoned naturalist hiking guide with extensive knowledge of the area
      • Four days of hiking
      • Transportation from Knoxville, TN, to the park and back
      • Round-trip transportation for the duration of the tour
      • All meals included in the itinerary
      • Tent, sleeping pad and group camping equipment
      • Park entry fees and permits

    What’s not included:

      • Transportation to Knoxville
      • Personal hiking and camping gear
      • Meals not included in the itinerary
  • This strenuous adventure is suitable for people with great physical fitness and prior hiking experience. You will be spending 8 hours a day on the trails, hiking distances of up to 10 miles, and overcoming 2,500 ft (760 m) of elevation change. Keep in mind that you’ll also be carrying a heavy pack filled with water and other things you’ll need throughout the day. If you’re new to hiking, why not try this beginner-friendly hiking tour near Asheville, NC?

  • Here’s a list of the equipment you need to bring:

      • Day pack large enough to carry all the items listed (around a 15-30L bag)
      • Luggage (can be left in the vehicle, 1 small suitcase per person)
      • Pack cover
      • Hiking boots
      • Sandals or camp shoes
      • Spare clothes for layering
      • Warm down, puffy, or fleece jacket
      • Waterproof rain or shell jacket
      • Breathable wicking base layers
      • Lightweight hiking pants
      • Warm hat and brimmed sunhat
      • Buff or neck scarf — optional
      • Hiking poles — optional
      • Reusable water bottle
      • Biodegradable and scent-free toiletries (sunscreen, hand sanitizer, bug spray, etc.)
      • Small first aid kit and blister kit — optional
      • Headlamp
      • Sleeping bag rated to 15°C (available to rent from your guide for $50)
      • Sunglasses
      • Camera — optional (but recommended)

    Dress comfortably and for the weather in clothes you can move in. We suggest bringing clothing appropriate for the season. Layers are best and don’t wear jeans.

  • Group sizes and prices:

      • For this adventure, the usual client-to-guide ratio is 6:1.
      • It takes a minimum of 4 people for a tour to operate. The cost does not decrease as the group grows.

    Hiking in the Smoky Mountains can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.

    Min. age requirements:

      • If you are older than 18, you’re good to go.
      • Minors younger than 18 are only permitted to join private hikes. They must be in the presence of a parent or legal guardian.

    If your group has hikers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.

  • To get to the Great Rocky Mountains National Park, most people fly into Nashville International Airport 5 hours away. From there, you can rent a car, take a bus or take a local flight to Knoxville, TN, where you will meet your guide for transfer to the park.

  • A 35% deposit to secure your place is due upon booking. The remaining amount is paid 3 months (90 days) prior to departure. Once the trip is confirmed by the guide, the cancellation policy stated below applies.

      • For cancellations thirty (30) calendar days in advance, the Client is entitled to a refund in the amount of eighty percent (80%) of the total amount paid when Booking.
      • After that deadline, the Client is not entitled to any refund. Any reimbursable expenses arising out of the Booking incurred by Guide prior to the date of cancellation (including but not limited to plane tickets, car rental payments, and lodging or transportation fees) are non-refundable as soon as they are incurred by the Guide.
  • 57hours partners with Redpoint Travel Protection, offering you a fully integrated program with a single point of contact for all your needs, from emergency services to travel assistance and protection claims. We highly recommend purchasing a comprehensive protection policy from Redpoint, which will protect you both before and during your travels. Before your departure, your investment is protected by the trip cancellation benefit. Once you depart, your policy provides coverage for trip interruption, medical assistance and rescue, baggage loss, trip delay, and more. Once you complete booking with 57hours, we'll create bespoke quote for you (and your group), making sure you're fully protected for the adventure ahead.
Have more questions? Read our FAQ, or Talk with us
From $1,400 ()
/ 5 days
Book now
Saved to bucket list
Removed from bucket list

Choose a currency

  • USD - $
    US Dollar
  • EUR - €
    Euro
  • AUD - AU$
    Australian Dollar
  • CAD - CA$
    Canadian Dollar
  • GBP - £
    British Pound Sterling
  • CHF - CHF
    Swiss Franc
  • JPY - ¥
    Japanese Yen
  • SGD - S$
    Singapore Dollar
  • HKD - HK$
    Hong Kong Dollar
  • DKK - Dkr
    Danish Krone
  • NOK - Nkr
    Norwegian Krone
  • SEK - Skr
    Swedish Krona