Included: An experienced, local hiking guide with extensive knowledge of the area 4-day all-women Smoky Mountains hiking trip Accommodation for 3 nights in a wilderness basecamp All meals: 3 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 3 dinners Snacks, water, coffee, tea, and hot chocolate Transportation throughout the trip Permits and trip logistics Trekking pole rental Add-ons (pricing shown at checkout): Sleeping bag Water bottle Day pack 25L Day pack 40L Headlamp Not included: Flights Airport transfers Alcohol and specialty drinks Personal items and toiletries Anything not mentioned in the “Included” section above Insurance — recommended, available to add at checkout Guide gratuities — optional

How fit do I need to be?

Good fitness is required for this Smoky Mountains hiking trip. Participants should be comfortable hiking 5 to 8 hours a day, covering up to 17.7 km (11 mi) with as much as 823 m (2,700 ft) of elevation gain and loss. Zip-lining is beginner-friendly , with a weight range of 27 to 113 kg (60 to 250 lb) . Rafting is also suitable for beginners, though comfort in and around water is recommended. Whitewater is rated Class II-III. A solid baseline is being able to do cardio such as brisk uphill walking, jogging, or stair workouts for 30-45 minutes, 3-4 times a week before the trip. Want to see what else is there in the area? Discover more Appalachian trail tours here!

What do I need to bring?

Here’s a list of the equipment you need to bring: 1-2 pairs comfortable, synthetic hiking pants (zip-offs work well) 2-3 moisture-wicking T-shirts or short-sleeve shirts 1 lightweight long-sleeve shirt for sun protection 1 fleece or midweight layer 1 rain jacket and rain pants Swimsuit (for zip-lining and rafting day) Comfortable camp clothes for evenings Hat or cap, and a warm hat for cool evenings 1 pair broken-in hiking boots or trail shoes 1 pair comfortable camp shoes or sandals 2-3 pairs hiking socks (wool or synthetic) Daypack (25-30L) with rain cover Water bottle or hydration bladder (2-3L) Headlamp with extra batteries Sunglasses and sunscreen Personal first aid items (blister care, personal medications) Toiletries and personal items 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 age requirements

Group sizes and pricing For this all-women Smoky Mountains hiking trip , the usual client-to-guide ratio is 11 :1. It takes a minimum of 4 people for this tour to operate. The maximum group size is set at 12 participants . A Smoky Mountains hiking trip 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 older than 16 may be permitted to join the all-women Smoky Mountains hiking trip on a case-by-case basis, but must be in the presence of a parent or legal guardian. If your group has participants under the age of 18 , contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.

Is a single occupancy room available?

A single occupancy room is not available on this all-women Smoky Mountains hiking trip.

Getting there and meeting location

The starting point of your all-women Smoky Mountains hiking trip is Gatlinburg . To get there, most people fly into McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS) . From there, you can take a shuttle service, a taxi, or rent a car to reach Gatlinburg. You will meet your guide at The Appy Lodge in Gatlinburg on Day 1.

Safety measures and insurance

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.

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GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK | TENNESSEE

Smoky Mountains Wilderness Basecamp: Women-Only Hike

4 days | Moderate | 5.00

From $2,199 ()

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We’ve got a private slice of the Smokies, 90 acres (36 hectares) of forest, a campfire that’s always going, and 4 days to explore some of the park’s best-kept trails. This women-only basecamp trip skips the overnight pack-hauling: we hike light, sleep at the same comfortable camp each night, and let someone else handle dinner. Trails lead to old railroad grades, a fire tower with 360-degree views, and eventually to a zipline and a Class III river run. Come as you are. Leave a little more sure of what your legs can do.

Ansley

Adventure Highlights

Basecamp, not backpack: Sleep at the same private mountain camp each night and hike with light daypacks instead of hauling full overnight gear
Earn the fire tower: Climb 610 m (2,000 ft) of switchbacks on the Appalachian Trail to a historic lookout with 360-degree Smokies views
Trade trails for thrills: Cap the trip with a mountaintop zipline and a Class II-III run down the Nantahala River

Duration

4 days

Season

March through October

Group size

Up to 12 people

The adventure, day by day

Download itineraries

Rather than relocating camp each night, this 4-day Smoky Mountains trip anchors everything to one wilderness basecamp on a private mountain property, so mornings start with a real breakfast and packs stay light on trail. The itinerary threads together old logging railroads, a demanding climb to a historic fire tower on the Appalachian Trail, and a final day of zip-lining and Class II-III rafting on the Nantahala River. It's a women-only group, guided throughout, with all meals and transport built into the price.

Day 1: Welcome to Great Smoky Mountains National Park

You’ll meet the guides and fellow travelers this morning in Gatlinburg for introductions and a trip orientation before a short shuttle to the first trailhead. The Cucumber Gap Loop follows an old logging railroad past small waterfalls and former homesteads, with a handful of stream crossings along the way, a gentle introduction to the biodiversity and history the Smokies are known for. We reach our wilderness basecamp by evening, where a barbecue dinner and a roaring campfire await.

Meals: Lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Wilderness basecamp
Hiking: 8.7 km (5.4 mi)
Elevation: +244 m (+800 ft) / -244 m (-800 ft)

Day 2: Hike the Appalachian Trail to the summit of Mount Cammerer

After a backcountry breakfast, we transfer to the Low Gap Trailhead for an out-and-back climb to Mount Cammerer. A series of switchbacks gains 610 m (2,000 ft) through hardwood forest before joining the Appalachian Trail, where our guides share stories of thru-hikers tackling the trail’s full 3,500+ km (2,190+ mi) run from Georgia to Maine. The reward is the summit’s restored 1930s fire tower, with 360-degree views across the Smokies. We close the day back at basecamp with another hearty dinner.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Wilderness basecamp
Hiking: 17.7 km (11 mi)
Elevation: +914 m (+3,000 ft) / -914 m (-3,000 ft)

Day 3: Explore historical artifacts and climb to a mountain vista

Today’s trails hold the largest collection of human artifacts in the National Park system. We follow a mountain stream through old-growth forest before climbing to a picturesque vista overlooking dramatic rock formations. It’s our last evening at basecamp, so we mark it the way we’ve marked every night here: a good meal, a fire, and plenty of stories from the last few days on trail.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Wilderness basecamp
Hiking: 7.2-9.7 km (4.5-6 mi)
Elevation: +305 m to +457 m (+1,000 ft to +1,500 ft) / -305 m to -457 m (-1,000 ft to -1,500 ft)

Day 4: A mountaintop zipline and the Nantahala River

About two hours by road brings us to the Nantahala Outdoor Center, sitting right where the Appalachian Trail crosses the Nantahala River. After three days on foot, we take to the air on 3.2 km (2 mi) of zipline strung mountaintop to mountaintop, then trade our harnesses for a raft and ride 12.9 km (8 mi) of Class II-III whitewater down the Nantahala. We wrap up our time in the Smokies by land, sky, and water with a return transfer to Gatlinburg, arriving early evening.

Note: Inclement weather may require substituting the zipline for an adventure ropes course; all aerial activities close in the event of lightning.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch

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Lodging & food

Wilderness basecamp

This trip skips the moving trail camp entirely. Instead, we base out of one private wilderness basecamp on a 36-hectare (90-acre) mountain property, tucked into the forest away from the road and any nearby town. Rather than pitching a new tent each night, we return to the same setup for all three nights, with hot showers and comfortable cots waiting at the end of every hiking day.

Food

Meals are prepared by our camp host or sourced from local favorites, and there’s always plenty of it. The first night might bring a southern barbecue spread around the campfire, while the remaining nights could mean anything from pasta to tacos, depending on what our camp host is cooking up. In any case, you won’t be leaving hungry.

Adventure, packed to go

Smoky Mountains Wilderness Basecamp: Women-Only Hike

Adventure Brochure

Adventure brochure

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Meet your guides

Seasoned pros, local legends, and passionate adventurers—your trip is in the best hands.

5.00

Ansley

Ansley grew up in the city of Atlanta and spent weekends and holidays in the southern Appalachian mountains. After college she worked in Wilderness Therapy in the North Carolina mountains with troubled youth. In the winters, Ansley goes out west to Utah to ski. She has hiked all around the United States, but the Smoky Mountains always call her back. Her favorite activities include, rock climbing, whitewater kayaking, rafting, scuba diving, yoga, canyoneering, skiing and of course backpacking.

5.00

China

China, a Chattanooga native, spent 15 years in Chicago working in non-profit theater and higher education upon completing her undergraduate studies at the University of Chicago. In 2021, China returned to her Appalachian roots by thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail. Now, leveraging her skills, China brings a unique blend of creativity and expertise to her role as a guide. Her love of storytelling and connection with the southern Appalachian region ultimately led her to guiding these trips.

What others say about this adventure

5.00 (3 reviews)

Connie

This was a Women’s signature camp with hiking, ziplining and rafting. There were beautiful fall colors, a great group of women, wonderful, caring, fun guides, the Smoky Mountains Wilderness Basecamp experience with delicious food. We all wished for warmer nights, but there was warmth in the companionship.

Amanda S

I went on this trip in May and had a blast! Brooke and Ansley were amazing- so positive, energetic, and knowledgeable about the area. Andi is a fantastic cook and I was floored by how good our meals were. The area is beautiful- the hikes were lovely, and we even had a chance to go swimming in a swimming hole one day. The zip lining and rafting were excellent! I am afraid of heights but the zip lining guides and the support of our group gave me the courage to face my fears, and I’m so glad I did because the zip lining ended up being one of the highlights of my trip.

RayRay

I really enjoyed this trip. It was my first time going on a trip like this and I signed up on my own. The guides were wonderful and fostered a really fun and friendly environment, and went out of their way to make sure everyone was comfortable and having fun. The hikes were gorgeous and just the right level of difficulty. And the zip lining and rafting were a lot of fun and a nice way to cap off the trip. The camp was glamping for real-super deluxe!

Show all reviews

Connie

Amanda S

RayRay

Things to know

Included:
- - An experienced, local hiking guide with extensive knowledge of the area
  - 4-day all-women Smoky Mountains hiking trip
  - Accommodation for 3 nights in a wilderness basecamp
  - All meals: 3 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 3 dinners
  - Snacks, water, coffee, tea, and hot chocolate
  - Transportation throughout the trip
  - Permits and trip logistics
  - Trekking pole rental
Add-ons (pricing shown at checkout):
- - Sleeping bag
  - Water bottle
  - Day pack 25L
  - Day pack 40L
  - Headlamp
Not included:
- - Flights
  - Airport transfers
  - Alcohol and specialty drinks
  - Personal items and toiletries
  - Anything not mentioned in the “Included” section above
  - Insurance — recommended, available to add at checkout
  - Guide gratuities — optional
Good fitness is required for this Smoky Mountains hiking trip. Participants should be comfortable hiking 5 to 8 hours a day, covering up to 17.7 km (11 mi) with as much as 823 m (2,700 ft) of elevation gain and loss.

Zip-lining is beginner-friendly, with a weight range of 27 to 113 kg (60 to 250 lb). Rafting is also suitable for beginners, though comfort in and around water is recommended. Whitewater is rated Class II-III.

A solid baseline is being able to do cardio such as brisk uphill walking, jogging, or stair workouts for 30-45 minutes, 3-4 times a week before the trip.

Want to see what else is there in the area? Discover more Appalachian trail tours here!
Here’s a list of the equipment you need to bring:
- - 1-2 pairs comfortable, synthetic hiking pants (zip-offs work well)
  - 2-3 moisture-wicking T-shirts or short-sleeve shirts
  - 1 lightweight long-sleeve shirt for sun protection
  - 1 fleece or midweight layer
  - 1 rain jacket and rain pants
  - Swimsuit (for zip-lining and rafting day)
  - Comfortable camp clothes for evenings
  - Hat or cap, and a warm hat for cool evenings
  - 1 pair broken-in hiking boots or trail shoes
  - 1 pair comfortable camp shoes or sandals
  - 2-3 pairs hiking socks (wool or synthetic)
  - Daypack (25-30L) with rain cover
  - Water bottle or hydration bladder (2-3L)
  - Headlamp with extra batteries
  - Sunglasses and sunscreen
  - Personal first aid items (blister care, personal medications)
  - Toiletries and personal items
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 pricing
- - For this all-women Smoky Mountains hiking trip, the usual client-to-guide ratio is 11:1.
  - It takes a minimum of 4 people for this tour to operate. The maximum group size is set at 12 participants.
A Smoky Mountains hiking trip 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 older than 16 may be permitted to join the all-women Smoky Mountains hiking trip on a case-by-case basis, but must be in the presence of a parent or legal guardian.
If your group has participants under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.
A single occupancy room is not available on this all-women Smoky Mountains hiking trip.
The starting point of your all-women Smoky Mountains hiking trip is Gatlinburg. To get there, most people fly into McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS). From there, you can take a shuttle service, a taxi, or rent a car to reach Gatlinburg.

You will meet your guide at The Appy Lodge in Gatlinburg on Day 1.
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.
Deposits

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.

Cancellations

Booking fees are non-refundable after a 48-hour grace period. During checkout, however, you can choose one of 57hours’ flexibility options—Basic, Flexible, or Super Flexible. Depending on which one you choose, a different cancellation policy will apply to your booking.

Basic
- - If cancelled within 48 hours of booking, a full refund will be issued.
  - If cancelled 60 or more days before departure, a 70% refund of the total trip price will be issued.
  - If cancelled within 59 days of departure, no refund will be issued.
Flexible
- - If cancelled within 48 hours of booking, a full refund will be issued.
  - If cancelled 60 or more days before departure, a full refund of the total trip price will be issued.
  - If cancelled 30-59 days before departure, a 50% refund of the total trip price will be issued.
  - If cancelled within 29 days of departure, no refund will be issued.
Super Flexible
- - If cancelled within 48 hours of booking, a full refund will be issued.
  - If cancelled 30 or more days before departure, a full refund of the total trip price will be issued.
  - If cancelled within 29 days of departure, a 50% refund of the total trip price will be issued.

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