Shuttle to the Smokies: 1.5-hour drive from Asheville

Hiking Mileage: 8.1 miles

Elevation Gain/Loss: 1640 feet

Accommodations: Dancing Bear Cabins

This inn-based Appalachian hiking tour starts with a scenic drive from Asheville, NC to the Oconoluftee entrance to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, where we’ll stop briefly at the Mountain Farm Museum to peruse the early settler buildings and learn about the extraordinary practices of hearty 19th century Appalachian farmers. The museum also features artifacts from and information about the Park’s oldest inhabitants: the Cherokee. This stop helps set the context for the next 3 days so we can fully appreciate the history, wilderness and scenic beauty of the Smokies as we hike through its forests and along its ancient creeks.

After our enriching museum stop we will continue on to our first hike, which follows the famous Appalachian Trail from historic Newfound Gap (the site of Roosevelt’s park dedication speech in 1940) to Charlies Bunion. Endless views over the lush, timbered ridges of the Smokies abound on today’s hike. Lunch today will be a tasty and healthy picnic, prepared by your guide, at one of these amazing views. Eventually we’ll bring our first day of exploration to a close by continuing to our lodge on the “quiet side of the Smokies” in Townsend, TN. After checking in and cleaning up, we’ll head out for a wonderful Appalachian dinner.

Shuttle to trailhead: 30 minutes

Hiking Mileage: 8.3 miles

Elevation Gain/Loss: 1140 feet

Accommodations: Dancing Bear Cabins

Today starts with a delicious Appalachian breakfast cooked by your guide at the Cades Cove Picnic area (weather depending). After breakfast, we will explore the culturally rich Cades Cove historic district while keeping an eye out for some of the Park’s many types of wildlife (black bear, deer, elk, turkeys, and more). We will explore the many historic buildings, stunning scenery, and wonderful tranquility of this rich mountain valley in Tennessee. Often this is a highlight of the trip due to the many historic buildings, stunning scenery, and wonderful tranquility of this rich mountain valley.

Today’s official hike is a forested, creek-side hike up the lush Middle Prong of the Little River to the Lynn Camp Prong Cascades and Indian Flats Falls. This stunning river valley is arguably home to the Smokies’ most scenic waterfall hike.

The hike starts in the historic logging area of Tremont. Here, the Little River Lumber Company had a large camp prior to the establishment of the Park. We’ll relax for a picnic lunch near the first cascades before heading on up to more lovely cascades and waterfalls. We’ll enjoy the falls, take photos, and eventually hike back to the trailhead. A short shuttle ride to our hotel, a tasty Southern dinner, and a cozy night’s sleep top off another rewarding day of Tennessee Smoky Mountains exploration.

Shuttle to Trailhead: 1.5 hours

Hiking Mileage: appx 5 miles

Elevation Gain/Loss: 1000 feet

Accommodations: Double Tree by Hilton

Our Last day of Appalachian exploration starts at a local family owned restaurant for breakfast. After breakfast we will head to Kuwohi (formally known as Clingmans Dome) to summit the tallest mountain in the National Park and the tallest mountain on the Appalachian Trail. We will take in the massive sweeping 360 degree views, hike a small section of the Appalachian Trail and then make our way down to Andrew’s Bald. Andrew’s Bald is one of several “balds” in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, which are named because they are mountaintops that are not covered by trees, but are instead covered by grass, rhododendron, and mountain laurel. From Andrew’s bald, there are panoramic views of the southern half of the park, including Fontana Lake.