Smoky Mountains Classic
Guided Backpacking Trips
3-4 Day, 2-3 Night Smoky Mountains Classic
Trip Highlights
Our Smoky Mountains Classic – Guides Choice backpacking trip in the Smokies – takes you past waterfalls, along mountain ridges, near the shores of pristine creeks, to incredible views from high mountain meadows, and on a stunning section of the famous Appalachian Trail to a historic fire tower (on the 4-day tour only). We’ll stop to explore the flora and fauna of Appalachia’s amazing forests while we hike and explore on this trip, and we often see deer, elk and black bears as they all rely on the resources provided by the meadows of this area. One night’s camp is close to one of these meadows, so we’ll enjoy a sunset dinner in one of the most magnificent settings imaginable, overlooking the drama of the Appalachian Mountains.
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Iconic Appalachian Meadows
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Backcountry Cascades
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Sunset Dinner with Views
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Amazing Pioneer Historical Sites
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Stunning Meadows & Forests
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Phenomenal Biodiversity
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Guides Choice Trip
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Trip Details
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Trip Type
Guided Backpacking Trips -
Trip Length
3-4 Day, 2-3 Night -
Daily Hiking Distance
4-7 mi -
Group Size
1-6 Guests
Is This Trip Right For me?
This hike travels along a wide very well maintained trail all the way to the first camp. Day 2 will have us crossing two creeks right out of camp and then making a short but steep climb to the ridge. Once summiting the top, a quick drop down to camp for night 2. Day 3 will be down hill along a maintained trail back to the trailhead.
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 trailhead: 2-hour drive from Asheville
Hiking Mileage: 4.2 miles
Elevation Gain: 1200 feet
On this multi-day Great Smoky Mountains backpacking trip we begin hiking on a graded road that the Civilian Conservation Corps improved during the Great Depression. Rock cuts done by the CCC reveal the amazing geology of this ancient mountain range, which your guide will explain as you hike. We will soon come to Twenty Mile Cascade, a beautiful waterfall tucked in a dense, vibrant forest. We’ll eat lunch by the cascade, then continue our journey down a mountain creek to our campsite. The last part of today’s hike takes us past historic stone walls and foundations, the remnants of early settlers who briefly lived in this area. After getting settled in camp you can relax by the creek or enjoy an afternoon hike along one of the stunning creeks flowing near camp. Our day ends with a fantastic Appalachian dinner and relaxing evening.
Day 2
Hiking Mileage: 6.5 miles
Elevation Gain/Loss: 1550 feet
After a hot breakfast, we will leave our camp set up and head to the Appalachian Trail (AT) to visit a historic fire tower that sits just off the AT. Towering over the tree tops at 60 feet in height, we will enjoy lunch at the old tower-keepers chimney and cistern remains that sit at the base of the steel tower. If you dare to climb the 6 flights of stairs to the top you will be overlooking Fontana Lake and the Dam with 360-degree views! Fontana Dam is the tallest dam east of the Mississippi River that rises over 480 feet in height! After a nice relaxing lunch we will head back the way we camp to enjoy a nice evening back at camp.
Day 3
Hiking Mileage: 4.6 miles
Elevation Gain: 2120 feet
Today is the highlight of the trip and a day you’re not likely to forget! After a hearty breakfast we’ll continue hiking up our mountain creek to Long Hungry Ridge, which got it’s name from a group of bear hunters marooned for days by bad weather and flooding in the early 20th century. We’ll pass Rye Patch, a historic area planted with rye before the civil war by an early settler of the region. Since then, the area has regrown a mixed hardwood forest with a lush, grassy ground cover. After another mile along our trail we come to the famous Gregory Bald, where we’ll absorb the amazing views of Cades Cove far below and the surrounding Mountains in all directions. Gregory Bald is known for its amazing views and its abundance of the beautiful Flame Azalea, which usually blooms in early summer, turning this bald into a natural work of art. We’ll enjoy lunch in the tall grass of the bald, surrounded by wildflowers and views, before continuing on to our campsite. We’ll set up camp and return to Gregory Bald for an unforgettable sunset dinner (weather permitting). Often at dusk we spot wildlife migrating from the forests to the meadows to feed. Our hike back to camp in the near dark completes this amazing day of Smoky Mountains wonder.
Day 4
Hiking Mileage: 6.8 miles
Elevation Loss: 3320 feet
Shuttle to Asheville: 2-hour drive to Asheville
Our last day starts with a relaxing breakfast, after which we’ll begin our long downhill trek. Initially we pass hoards of blueberry bushes, where we have good chances of seeing a black bear. The Smoky Mountains are home to one of the densest bear populations on the continent. We’ll pass another bald, then continue down a ridge on an old road, built by a 1920’s logging operation, to a beautiful mountain creek. After several creek crossings, we will arrive back at the remote Twenty Mile Ranger Station and our vehicle. We’ll contemplate our Smoky Mountains experience as we pass back through the Park on our return trip to Asheville. Our drive back will allow for contemplation of our last 3 days in the Appalachian wilderness and time to plan our next adventure!
3-Day Variation
On the 3-day variation of this trip, we skip the Day 2 hike on the Appalachian Trail to a historic fire tower, and go straight to Day 3 of the itinerary.
Important: this trip is operated as either a 3-day or 4-day itinerary, and is confirmed as such in advance. Variation of trip length does not mean guests can choose to leave a trip or early or extend it a day.
Trip Dates
What's Included
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Top-of-the-line tent, backcountry sleeping pad and multi-day backpack
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High quality, synthetic sleeping bag (professionally laundered after every use)
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Use of trekking poles
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All meals are included from breakfast the first day through lunch on the last day
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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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Roundtrip transportation from your hotel in Asheville, North Carolina to the trailhead and back
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Entrance fees and national park permits
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Emergency equipment including a company-issued first-aid kit and communication device (InReach Explorer or satellite phone)
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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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Guide gratuity (industry recommendation is 10-20% of trip cost)
Accommodations
Backcountry Sleeping
TENT CAMPING
Sleeping on backpacking trips is in premier 1-person, 2-person or 4-person backcountry tents. Solo travelers, and anyone else who requests it, are issued single tents. Top-of-the-line self-inflating sleeping pads and synthetic-fill sleeping bags (professionally laundered after every trip) are also provided.
Backcountry Cuisine
FRESH & DELICIOUS
Meals from breakfast Day 1 through lunch the last day are fully included and prepared by your guide. We never use dehydrated backpacking meals, instead serving freshly prepared, delicious backcountry cuisine made with a variety of common and specialty ingredients that travel well in the wilderness.
Amazing Campsites
In the Action
Campsites vary by destination, trip and even by the individual day of a trip. However, you can expect to camp in beautiful areas that put you right in the action to make the most of your trekking adventure. We carefully design our itineraries with campsites in mind.
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 5 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.
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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Paul I
5 months agoReally Great
Not our first adventure with Wildland. Awesome scenery...Great Guides... we really enjoyed our experience. The Smokey Mountains were really great to hike even with the rain!
Sophie H
5 months agoAmazing
The trip with Wildland was fantastic! Perfectly planned and executed. Our guide made the experience unforgettable!
Jennifer D
6 months agoExcellent tour group!
Excellent tour group! Starting with reservations and the preparation for the trip to all the excellent and abundant food and snacks provided, this tour was excellent! Francisco made the trip even better with his attention to each tour member and his great cooking skills.
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