Search Tours

Gallery Image
1 / 10
  • Home |
  • Trips |
  • Great Smoky Mountains N.P. Hiking Tour: 6 Day Self-Guided

Great Smoky Mountains N.P. Hiking Tour: 6 Day Self-Guided

Experience the rich natural beauty and seasonal splendor of Great Smoky Mountains National Park on a guided hiking tour through dense forests, cascading waters, and diverse trails that showcase the park’s wilderness charm just beyond the bustle of the eastern U.S.

Average Climate

Humid Climate
Rain Likely

legend

Double Booking
$1325

Single Booking
$1885

Roommate Rebate TBD

Trip Type

Hiking

Difficulty Level

4

Trip Length

6 Days, 5 Nights

Distance

56 Miles
90.1 Kilometers

Meeting Time

Drop-off Time

Assembly Point

Knoxville, TN

Inclusions

Five nights lodging, reservations with breakfast, recommendations for dinner and lunch, tour maps with digital and written directions and GPS coordinates, driving directions; gift, narratives about the area, 24×7 phone support on tour.

Arrive at: McGhee Tyson Airport in Knoxville, TN

Optional Add-ons:  Pre and Post Tour Lodging Arrangements

Not included:  Flight to Knoxville, car rental

Have questions? We’re here to help! Call us at 303-664-8388 or reach out online.

Reserve This Tour

In so many ways, Great Smoky Mountain National Park is dedicated to hiking and we are thrilled by the park’s 850 miles of trails where we can select those that will provide our hikers with a varied experience and a true sense of those features for which the park is famous. When one considers the park’s proximity to so many major population centers of the eastern U.S., it’s difficult to form an image of wilderness, but under the protection and guidance of the National Park Service, wilderness survives in Great Smoky.

The wilderness feel of the park is due in no small measure to its almost unbroken cover of trees, and the size and variety will astound you. Spring tours will experience the plethora of new growth in the forest including the blossoms of uncountable trees, shrubs and flowers.  Fall tours will delight with the explosion of color from autumn leaves on the densely forested trails.  Water is everywhere: creeks, streams, prongs, waterfalls and cascades. You’ll cross a number, sometimes on bridges, sometimes on foot logs, and sometime on nothing other than the soles of your boots. These are just a few of the elements that make the Smoky range special.

This tour can be booked for any dates from March– November, but we recommend avoiding the middle of summer dates as it can be hot, humid and crowded.  Tours must be booked at least 2 weeks in advance, with a minimum of 2 participants.

Note: Actual hotels are subject to availability and not guaranteed before booking.  Posted price is based on a mid-week span with at least 3 months notice.  Price will be adjusted according to current hotel availability and costs. Hotel costs are likely to increase as tour date approaches, so earlier bookings will see better savings.

ITINERARY

Day 1: You will transfer to Townsend; hike Middle Prong Trail

+

Distance: 6 miles

Elevation Gain: 1,180 feet

Largest Single Elevation Gain: 1,020 feet

Driving directions start from nearby Townsend to the western entrance to the park. The Middle Prong Trail runs next to cascading waterfalls and foaming white water. The first 3 overnights are spent in Townsend.

Day 2: Hike to Mt. Le Conte via the Alum Cave Trail

+

Meals: Breakfast

Distance: 11.5 miles

Elevation Gain: 3,095 feet

Largest Single Elevation Gain: 1,370 feet

Mt. LeConte is the heart and soul of the Smoky Mountains. Our route is on the Alum Cave Trail, which probably has the most spectacular scenery of any trail in the park, passing through an old growth forest, past Alum Cave itself, and then onto the ridge line with its 360 degree views below.

Day 3: Hike to Gregory Bald via Gregory Ridge Trail in the Cades Cove area

+

Meals: Breakfast

Distance: 11.1 miles

Elevation Gain: 3,080 feet

Largest Single Elevation Gain: 2,370 feet

A bald, in Great Smokies parlance, refers to a ridge top clearing. Today's route climbs to Gregory Bald on the Gregory Ridge Trail. The flame azaleas in the spring and the fall colors above Cades Cove provide some of the best high-level views in the park.

Day 4: Hike the Appalachian Trail from Newfound Gap to Charlies Bunion; Transfer to Bryson City

+

Meals: Breakfast

Distance: 8 miles

Elevation Gain: 1,885 feet

Largest Single Elevation Gain: 840 feet

Today's hike is along the best known trail in the park – the Appalachian Trail – to Charlies Bunion, a knobby rock outcropping high above the surrounding parts of the park. The ups and downs along the ridgeline offer alternating views to both the east and west. Don't pass by the chance to chat with through hiker and hear some fascinating stories. The itinerary takes you to the southeastern side to scenic Bryson City.

Day 5: Loop hike on Deep Creek Trail, short cuts are available

+

Meals: Breakfast

Distance: 13.5 miles

Elevation Gain: 2,858 feet

Largest Single Elevation Gain: 1,425 feet

This hike is a little used loop trail that passes waterfalls, winds along a ridge top and then follows picturesque Deep Creek through a shaded gorge. The loop can be easily shortened with an alternate trail, if you prefer some leisure time by the creeks.

Day 6: Return to the west side, hike the Elkmont Loop along the Little River Trail; Tour concludes

+

Meals: Breakfast

Distance: 5.9 miles

Elevation Gain: 800 feet

Largest Single Elevation Gain: 790 feet

A return to Tennesee brings you to the old community of Elkmont. The Park Service is restoring some of the old vacation cabins here that date back to the 1930’s when well-to-do East Tennessee families used to spend their summers in the old-growth forest by the side of the creek. Our loop trail crosses a small ridge and returns along the Little River for a casual and enjoyable end to the Great Smoky Mountains Hiking Tour.

Download Your Trip Itinerary

Fill out the form below to receive your complete itinerary, including daily schedules, accommodations, and more.