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.
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
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
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
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.
After a final breakfast, your guide will take you to Knoxville for goodbyes before you fly home!
What you get on this adventure:
What’s not included:
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:
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.
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Group sizes and prices:
Hiking in the Smoky Mountains can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.
Min. age requirements:
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.
We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with insurance. To make your booking and traveling experience as carefree as possible, you’ll be offered to simply insure your trip with Redpoint at checkout.
Redpoint—the official 57hours insurance partner—tailors protection packages for adventure travel, offering a comprehensive travel program, even in remote locations! Trip cancellation, natural disasters, pandemic coverage, medical evacuation, primary medical expenses—regardless of the travel interruption that may happen, Redpoint will have you covered.
Secure your spot with a 30% deposit upon booking! The remaining 70% of the trip price must be paid 90 days prior to departure at the latest. If booking within 90 days of departure, the full amount is required at the time of booking.
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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.