Included:

• • 1-3 experienced hiking guides (based on group size) with extensive knowledge of the area
  • 7-day Great Smoky Mountains hiking tour
  • Accommodation for 6 nights lodging in a private room with ensuite bathroom (solo occupancy)
  • All meals, from dinner on Day 1 through breakfast on Day 7
  • Transportation to/from the Knoxville airport (TYS)
  • Transportation during the adventure
  • White water rafting and rafting guide gratuities

Not included:

• • Airfare to/from Knoxville (TYS)
  • Alcoholic beverages
  • Optional activities
  • Anything not mentioned in the “Included” section above
  • Insurance — recommended, available to add at checkout
  • Guide gratuities — optional

This Great Smoky Mountains hiking tour is appropriate for any woman who exercises regularly at a moderate level (such as going for 45-minute brisk walks 3-5 days a week), and who either enjoys hiking or is new to hiking and wants to learn in a safe and fun environment.

On this trip there is a special emphasis on cultural and natural history and stopping to smell the flowers (literally). With lots of instruction and tips to make your hiking more enjoyable, this is an ideal trip for novice hikers. You can also learn to identify the many wildflowers found here.

Expect hiking up to 7 mi (11.2 km) per day.

For more hiking adventures in the USA, click here! If you’re interested in more women-only adventures, click here!

Footwear:

• • 1 pair of waterproof, broken-in hiking boots or shoes
  • 1 pair of alternate trail running shoes (helpful if blisters develop; consider sizing up slightly)
  • 1 pair of comfortable athletic shoes, Keens, or Teva/Chaco sandals for general use
  • 3-4 pairs of hiking socks (wool or synthetic, e.g., Smartwool, Bridgedale, Darn Tough)
  • 2 pairs of thin liner socks (silk or synthetic)
  • Neoprene socks for rafting

Clothing:

• • 1-2 pairs of comfortable, synthetic long pants for hiking (zip-offs work well)
  • 1 pair of shorts or 3/4 pants (lightweight and quick-drying)
  • 2-3 synthetic or lightweight merino wool T-shirts or short-sleeved shirts
  • 1-2 lightweight, long-sleeved shirts for sun/bug protection (button-up front is best)
  • 1 fleece jacket or sweater
  • 1 lightweight jacket or vest
  • 1 rain jacket and rain pants/rain skirt (waterproof/breathable fabric like Gore-Tex)
  • 1 wide-brimmed or baseball-style cap/hat for sun/rain protection
  • 1 lightweight wool or fleece hat (a buff can also serve as a hat)
  • 1 pair of wool, Capilene, or Polartec gloves
  • Underwear and nightwear
  • 1 swimsuit or quick-dry shorts and a sports bra/t-shirt
  • 2-3 changes of comfortable clothes for casual wear (e.g., pants and/or skirt with a couple of tops)

Equipment/essentials:

• • 1 pair of trekking poles
  • 1 daypack (24-30L) with a hip belt, padded shoulder straps, and lifters
  • Waterproofing for your backpack (rain cover or heavy-duty plastic bag to line your pack)
  • 2-3 liter water capacity (hydration system or water bottles)
  • Sunglasses (100% UV protection) with retention strap
  • Sunscreen and lip protection
  • Small headlamp or flashlight
  • Personal first aid kit (including blister remedies like moleskin, Compeed, blister bandages, and personal medications)
  • Plastic, Tupperware-type container for lunch/sandwich
  • Spork (for trail lunches)
  • Hand sanitizer
  • Ear plugs (for a good night’s sleep)
  • Cell phone and charger

Toiletries:

• • Toothbrush and toothpaste
  • Shampoo and conditioner
  • Personal items (contact lens supplies, sanitary items, personal medications)
  • Dental floss

Optional items:

• • 1-2 bandannas/buffs
  • Short ankle gaiters
  • Wristwatch/travel alarm clock
  • Compact binoculars
  • Book/journal and pen
  • Lightweight umbrella
  • Extra snacks (snacks will also be provided)
  • Kula cloth
  • Pocketknife

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Group sizes and pricing

• • For this Great Smoky Mountains hiking tour, the usual client-to-guide ratio is 5:1
  • It takes a minimum of 8 people for this tour to operate. The maximum group size is set at 12 participants.

A Great Smoky Mountains hiking tour 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 may be permitted to join the Great Smoky Mountains hiking tour 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.

Solo rooms are the standard on this trip. Privacy included, no sharing required! All rooms feature king or queen beds, all with private bathrooms.

In case you’re coming with someone and you’d like to share a room, let us know before booking—there’s a special discount!

Vegetarian options for this trip are available but may be more limited than you are used to. If you are concerned about having enough protein during your trip, plan to bring some plant-based protein sources such as nut butter, instant dried hummus, or high-protein energy bars. If you cannot eat gluten or if you have other dietary restrictions i.e. vegan, you will need to bring some supplemental food with you.

The starting point of your Great Smoky Mountains hiking tour is the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. To get there, most people fly into Knoxville Airport, also known as McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS).

Once you’re at the Knoxville Airport, you will meet your guide there at noon, and then you’re going to be transferred to the park.

If you’re driving,plan to meet the guides at the Metcalf Bottoms Picnic parking lot (south side) by 2pm.

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.