6-day hiking trip in the Great Smoky Mountains

One of the AMGA-certified mountain guides on our team takes you on a 6-day hiking adventure to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park!

Group

Appalachians

1 Day

All year

High

Intermediate

Highlights

Discover the highlights of the Great Smoky National Park
Hike part of the famous Appalachian Trail
Enjoy an amazing landscape of mountains, creek valleys and waterfalls

Description

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park, on the border between Tennessee and North Carolina, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1983. On this hiking trip you will explore its most amazing spots under expert guidance. Come join us!

Encompassing 522,419 acres (almost 2,115 km2) the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is one of the biggest protected areas in the eastern United States. With several mountains reaching more than 6,000 ft (1,830 m), beautiful forests and rock features, it offers a stunning terrain for outdoor adventures.

Our 6-day trip takes us to the highlights of this spectacular National Park. We will hike along impressive crests, lush creek valleys, and amazing grassy balds. Furthermore, we will hike a section of the Appalachian Trail, which offers the most awesome views of this popular mountain chain.

Some of the stunning spots that we will reach are: Sam’s Gap, Rocky Top, Thunderhead Mountain, Spence Field, Devil’s Tater Patch and Gregory Bald, among others. In addition, sleeping in charming mountain huts will make this trip an unforgettable experience! You can see the complete itinerary below.

For this trip you need some hiking experience: the trails are well maintained but require shallow creek crossings. You should also have a good fitness level as we will hike between 5 and 7 miles per day.

So, if you are up for this 6-day hiking adventure in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, please contact us. You will be amazed at the beauty of this section of the Appalachians!

And if you are looking for shorter trips in this area, check out our 3-day tour in the Appalachian Trail, and our 4-day hike in Mount Sterling Appalachian Loop.

Price includes

Guiding fee

Itinerary

Day 1: Lynn Camp

We start with a short hike to Lynn Camp Falls. After lunch we continue to the Indian Flat Falls. Overnight at Lynn Camp Prong. Hiking: 5.6 miles / Elevation Gain: 1600 ft.

Day 2: Appalachian Trail

After breakfast we head back to the Greenbrier Ridge Trail to start hiking the Appalachian Trail towards Sam’s Gap. Short hike to the mountain hut where we will spend the night. Hiking: 6.1 miles / Elevation Loss/Gain: 310 ft./ 1710 ft.

Day 3: Rocky Top - Thunderhead Mountain - Spence Field

This day we will reach the summits of two mountain peaks: Rocky Top and Thunderhead Mountain. We end this amazing hiking day at Spence Field, we might even see some of the wildlife. Camp at another Appalachian Trail hut. Hiking: 6.3 miles / Elevation Gain/Loss: 1500 ft.

Day 4: Russell Field - Devil’s Tater Patch

Another day hiking along the Appalachian Trail, over Russell Field, Big and Little Abrams Gap, Little Bald, and the Devil’s Tater Patch. Overnight at a new mountain hut. Hiking: 6.1 miles / Elevation Gain/Loss: 1000 ft. / 800 ft.

Day 5: Gregory Bald

The highlight of today is the Gregory Bald with its amazing wildflowers and views. After lunch, we hike back to the camp. Hiking: 6.5 miles / Elevation Gain/Loss: 1450 ft. / 1250 ft.

Day 6: Hiking back

After breakfast we begin a long downhill hike back to the starting point. Hiking: 6.5 miles / Elevation Gain/Loss: 3320 ft.

About the guide

E-S Adventure Guides

4.6

(36)

Mountain Guide

One of our certified guides will take you skiing and climbing to some of the best spots in North America. In the USA we offer trips in California, Colorado, Maine, Alaska, Oregon, Arizona, Washington, Montana, Nevada, Texas, Utah and Vermont. And in Canada, you'll find tours in Quebec, Alberta and British Columbia.

Languages

English

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What people are saying about E-S Adventure Guides

David

Great guides and great snow!

Peggy

Will was great wise and fun to spend the day with.

Phillip

Guide cancelled within 48 hrs and I was unable to find someone else and so far I’ve not been refunded. Put a small dent in my otherwise great trip to Revelstoke.

Lucie

All perfect

Amanda

Guide was very experienced and very patient with us. We learned alot and he tried to fit in all the knowledge he could in one day, super awesome. A little tough going back and forth to get the trip set up hard to tell if the site is sketchy until you see reviews but all worked out. Ended up with an awesome day with an awesome guide. Overall pretty satisfied and thankful!