High Peaks and Old Growth Forests of the Smokies
Guided Backpacking Trips
4 Days, 3 Nights 27+MI / 43+KM
Trip Highlights
This Smoky Mountains backpacking trip combines solitary trails, old growth forests, and some of the most beautiful views in the Smokies in a short, action-packed hike! This trip is an excellent choice for people who’d like to see first hand why this park is the country’s most ecologically diverse – and most visited – national park.
We’ll begin along the lower reaches of Gabe’s Mountain, passing Hen Wallow Falls on our way through virgin woodlands to our first night’s camp at Sugar Cove. The next morning we’ll head up the Maddron Bald Trail to the Albright Grove Loop, where we’ll appreciate a collection of the park’s largest and most magnificent trees. We’ll camp along a mountain creek and climb to the top of Maddron Bald for out-of-this-world views. A day hike with light packs on the famous Appalachian Trail on day 3 is the highlight of the trip for many guests. Our final day brings us down to our starting point ending our Great Smoky Mountains backcountry adventure.
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Fulfilling Adventure
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Old Growth Forests
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Sweeping Views
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Mountain Solitude
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Stunning Waterfall
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Amazing Natural & Cultural History
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View Dates
Trip Details
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Trip Type
Guided Backpacking Trips -
Trip Length
4 Days, 3 Nights -
Daily Hiking Distance
5-10 mi -
Group Size
1-6 Guests
Is This Trip Right For me?
This trip travels along maintained trails that gain elevation the first 3 days. The last day has a descent that is moderate. Having a base camp on day 2 and 3 makes the third day an easier hiking day.
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: 3-hour drive from Asheville
Hiking Mileage: 4.8 miles
Elevation Gain: 1060 feet
On this multi-day Great Smoky Mountains backpacking trip we start hiking at a remote ranger station and work our way up a beautiful mountain trail. 2.1 miles into our hike we hit the spur trail for Hen Wallow Falls. This spectacular waterfall drops 90 feet and is one of the most impressive water features in the Park. After enjoying the falls, we’ll continue uphill, past hardwood old growth forest with truly massive trees. Eventually we’ll reach our campsite, a highly sought after site in a stunning forest setting. After getting settled we’ll explore the mountain creek near camp, relax over a hearty dinner, and turn in for the night.
Day 2
Hiking Mileage: 6.2 miles
Elevation Gain: 1320 feet
Day 2 starts with a delicious Appalachian breakfast, after which we’ll continue hiking past more old growth forest and negotiate several creek crossings. Our trail, due to the extraordinary work of the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s, is one of the best trails Great Smoky Mountains National Park has to offer. After 1.7 miles on this spectacular trail, we’ll come to one of the Park’s most impressive old growth forests. We’ll enjoy lunch in this forest under Carolina Silverbells, Hemlock, Beech, and Tulip trees spared from the logger’s axe a century ago. This grove of giant trees is considered one of the best East of the Mississippi. After lunch we’ll continue on to our second night’s camp on the edge of a mountain creek. After setting up camp we’ll hike to the top of Maddron Bald for an outstanding view of the Appalachians.
Day 3
Hiking Mileage: 9.5 miles
Elevation Loss/Gain: 2061 feet
Today is a layover day set aside to celebrate this amazing landscape with a day hike you’ll never forget! After another tasty breakfast we’ll set out to traverse a ridgeline section of the Appalachian Trail beneath the towering Mount Guyot to Tricorner Knob. This section features absolutely awe-inspiring views of the forested folds and high peaks of the Great Smoky Mountains. Don’t forget your camera today – you’ll want it!
After returning to camp, we’ll enjoy a final backcountry dinner and relaxing evening before turning in for a peaceful sleep.
Day 4
Hiking Mileage: 6.8 miles
Elevation Gain: 940 feet
Elevation Loss: 3040 feet
Shuttle to Asheville: 3-hour drive to Asheville
Our final morning we’ll break camp and hike up the Maddron Bald Trail to another rugged, adventurous trail. As we descend this trail we’ll soak up amazing views of the crest of the Smokies while passing through beautiful Spruce and Fir forests. We eventually pass through Hemlock groves in the lower altitudes and end up at our staring point. From here we enjoy a scenic drive back to Asheville, giving us time to contemplate the amazing four days we’ve just experienced.
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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Michale H
3 months agoAMAZING!
Trip was AMAZING! Guide was so positive, fun, uplifting and frankly a walking encyclopedia. Food was great and will always remember the term "monkey brain" with a smile. Thank you for this opportunity and allowing me to check another adventure off my list!
Kathryn S
11 months agoI couldn't be happier about the whole experience.
It rained the whole time and ended in a massive flood, but was still one of my all time favorite vacations. John P.'s knowledge, experience, professionalism, and patience were unmatched. He made sure our group had an amazing time despite the weather and got us safely out of the backcountry before the storm. 5 stars...would go again!
Benjamin M
12 months agoThis was a great experience
Ellie, our guide, was a beast, but a knowledgable and patient leader. She helped those in the front. She held back to encourage those in the back. She engaged and talked about plant life. She was the first to get camp ready, meal cooked (which were insanely great!!!), the day planned, and laughed constantly. Our group was fast friends even when the trails are difficult. The fact that so much gear and planning was included, helped a newbie, like myself, concentrate on learning what I'd need for myself, how I'll understand the trails next time, how to prep and train differently for my body. This was a great experience and I've been telling everyone about it. Thank you Ellie!
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