3 Day Smoky Mountain Hiking Experience
Inn-Based Hiking Tours
3 Days, 2 Nights 23MI / 37KM
Trip Highlights
Our 3-Day Smoky Mountains Hiking Experience combines the highlights of the Smokies into a short but immersive Appalachian adventure. You’ll hike diverse forests, visit waterfalls and historic sites, explore scenic drives, and walk a stretch of the iconic Appalachian Trail. The trip includes handpicked inns and award-winning restaurants, blending comfort with cultural richness. Based out of the charming town of Townsend, TN (with transportation from Asheville, NC), each day features hikes in different areas of the Park for a well-rounded experience. We’ll also visit Cades Cove and the Oconoluftee Mountain Farm Museum, offering a complete taste of the Smokies in just three unforgettable days.
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Diversity & Adventure
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Cozy Lodging
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Iconic Smokies Hikes
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Historic Newfound Gap
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Impressive Old Growth Forests
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Scenic Cascading Waterfalls
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Hike the Appalachian Trail
Book This Trip
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Trip Details
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Trip Type
Inn-Based Hiking Tours -
Trip Length
3 Days, 2 Nights -
Daily Hiking Distance
5-8 mi -
Group Size
2-9 Guests
- day by day itinerary
- logistical and travel information
- gear and clothing lists and more
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Is This Trip Right For me?
This trip travels along maintained trails. Day 1 will be the toughest along the Appalachian Trail then moves to “rails to trails” type of routes on day 2 and 3. There is moderate elevation gain that can be rocky. Light exposure on day 1 that can be avoided if needed.
Difficulty Level
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Solitude Level
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Trip Itinerary
Please Note: We always do everything in our power to follow the set itinerary, however it can change occasionally based on temporary access restrictions, weather, lodging/campground availability, guest ability/injury, natural events like fires and flooding, and other potential causes. Normal terms and conditions apply to trips with itinerary changes.
Day 1
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-basedGreat Smoky Mountains hiking tour starts with a scenic drive from Asheville, NC to the Oconoluftee entrance to the park, where we’ll stop briefly at the Mountain Farm Museum to peruse the early settler buildings and 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 this enriching 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. After this rewarding hike we will drive through the park; eventually bringing our first day of exploration to a close by continuing to our lodge at the “quiet side of the Smokies”, Townsend, TN, checking in, cleaning up, and heading out for a wonderful Appalachian dinner.
Day 2
Hiking Mileage: 8.3 miles
Elevation Gain/Loss: 1140 feet
Accommodations: Dancing Bear Cabins
Today starts with a hearty Appalachian breakfast at a local farm-to-table diner in Townsend. 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, turkey, and more). 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 Smoky Mountains exploration.
Day 3
Shuttle to Trailhead: 1.5 hours
Hiking Mileage: 5 miles
Elevation Gain/Loss: 1000 feet
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.
Trip Dates
Click on a date to register. You can also click here to request new dates or book through customer service.
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What's Included
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2 nights of double-occupancy lodging at local, hand-picked, Appalachian inns, hotels and/or cabins (single occupancy requires an additional single supplement)
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Dinners at local restaurants selected for their local color and great food
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Breakfasts, picnic lunches prepared by your guide, and trail snacks
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Use of a day pack and trekking poles
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Trained hiking guide(s) with years of personal wilderness and hiking experience, medical certifications, and a passion for leading people into breathtaking landscapes. See Guide Bios.
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Transportation for the duration of the tour originating and concluding in Asheville, NC
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Emergency equipment including a company-issued first-aid kit and communication device
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Mandatory 5% national park fee that passes through directly to Great Smoky Mountains NP
What's Not Included
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Clothes, raingear, and footwear -
Sunscreen, toiletries and personal items
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Water bottles and a headlamp or flashlight
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Alcoholic beverages
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Guide gratuity (industry recommendation is 10-20% of trip cost)
Accommodations
* These exact accommodations are not guaranteed. In some instances alternative accommodations of similar quality and location may be used.
Dancing Bear Cabin
2 NIGHTS
This unique and inviting Appalachian lodge and cabins offers relaxation and natural beauty with wonderful accommodations and 38 forested acres on the Peaceful Side of the Smokies!
Trip Logistics & FAQs
Where Do We Meet?
You will meet your guide and group at the Holiday Inn in downtown Asheville (standard rooms are $99-$140 for our guests, 828-225-5550) for an orientation meeting at 5:00 PM the evening before the trip begins. We’re happy to give you a ride to this meeting if you’re not staying at the Holiday Inn. Your guide will then pick you up the next morning for transport to the trailhead. For Private Great Smoky Mountains Tours your guide can meet you at any hotel in Asheville at an agreed upon time.
Click here to see a printable, downloadable trip information packet with more detailed guidance about flights, shuttles, recommended lodging and more.
Travel to Asheville, NC
All North Carolina trips begin and end from Asheville, North Carolina. Asheville has an airport served by Allegiant Air, Delta, United, and US Airways. One can also fly into Greenville, South Carolina or Charlotte, North Carolina and drive to Asheville. It is a 1.5-hour drive from Greenville to Asheville and a 2-hour drive from Charlotte on good roads.
FROM ASHEVILLE AIRPORT
Asheville Airport Express (http://www.ashevilleairportexpress.com, 828-231-1053) and Harry’s Car Service run (828-774-8178) shuttles to and from downtown. Also a number of taxis are usually available on the curb in the Arrivals area.
FROM GREENVILLE/CHARLOTTE
Asheville Airport Express also runs daily vans from Charlotte and Greenville to Asheville.
CAR RENTALS
Avis: 800-331-1212; Hertz 800-654- 3131; National: 800-227-7368; Thrifty: 800-367-2277; Alamo: 800-327-9633
Start/End Times
Your guide will inform you of the first day’s pick-up time at the orientation meeting. Generally, you can expect it to be between 6 and 8 am, although the exact time will depend on current weather and road conditions. We will drop you off at your hotel on the final day normally before 5 PM (this time is not guaranteed, as a variety of circumstances can influence our exact return time).
Safety Precautions
Your safety is our top priority. Our hiking tours are led by professional hiking guides, all of whom are wilderness-certified first responders or EMT’s, each with years of guiding and wilderness experience. Guides adhere to standardized risk management protocols in case of any potential or actual incident, and all tours carry an emergency communication device and comprehensive first-aid kit. Additionally we have a “24/7” system through which guides or guests can reach Wildland support personnel at any time.
If you have any further questions about safety, please contact us at 1-800-715-HIKE (4453) for more information.
Essential Eligibility Criteria
Essential Eligibility Criteria (“EEC”) have been specifically identified to help you understand the skills and abilities necessary to participate on each Wildland trip, and they apply uniformly to all potential trip participants, irrespective of the presence or absence of any disability.
Once you identify a trip in which you may be interested, please carefully review the EEC and itinerary details. If after reviewing the EEC that apply to your desired trip, you determine you need an accommodation in order to meet the EEC, please contact us prior to registering to discuss your requested accommodation.
The EEC exist for your own safety and the safety and enjoyment of all participants. If you are unable to meet the EEC for the trip, with or without an accommodation, you are not eligible for that trip. If you register and arrive for a trip for which you do not meet the EEC, you will be disqualified from participation on the trip and will be dismissed or evacuated from the trip without a refund.
Age Restrictions
Age restrictions on this trip are as follows:
- 12 and older to join scheduled tours (mixed groups)
- 5 and older to join private tours, with final approval and specific logistical requirements (such as porter or stock assist) determined on a case by case basis
Reviews
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Ann P
1 year agoAll-around Great Trip
It was an all-around great trip! Kyle was an excellent guide and we had a fun and companionable group. We saw lots of waterfalls and bears!
Susan L
2 years agoHighly recommend Wildland.
I’ve been on many guided trips. This is the first time with Wildland. Very pleased. The guide Kyle was great, informative, pleasant and responsive. The pacing of the hikes was well thought out. Highly recommend Wildland.
Lili L
2 years agoLook forward to my next Wildland trip
We loved our 4 days on the Smoky Mountains. The hiking, eating and accommodations were all wonderful
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