Appalachian Waterfalls Hike: Great Smoky Mountains with guide

Waterfalls, logging ruins, and a chance to spot bear or deer on a gentle mountain trail

A guided hike through Great Smoky Mountains to multiple waterfalls, with a knowledgeable guide discussing the region's plant and animal life and its logging history. The trail stays within a couple miles of the parking area, making it suitable for hikers new to the mountains. Water and snacks are provided. A parking pass for Great Smoky Mountains National Park is required separately.

The experience

What makes this hike different from a solo walk is the guide's knowledge of what you're actually looking at. As you move between waterfalls, the guide discusses the plant and animal life native to the Great Smoky Mountains and points out artifacts left behind from the area's logging past: the kind of detail that turns a pretty walk into a story about the place. The trail itself is a gentle grade, designed so the group never strays more than a couple miles from the cars, which matters if you're testing whether mountain hiking is for you.

Wildlife sightings aren't guaranteed, but the guide knows where bear, deer, and turkeys move through the area and what to watch for. You'll hike to a variety of waterfalls rather than a single destination, so the day builds as you go. Water and snacks are provided throughout the four hours, and the pace is leisurely enough that you're stopping to absorb what the guide is telling you, not rushing between stops.

What’s included

• Bottled water.
• snacks.
• a live guide in English who discusses the plant and animal life and logging history of the Great Smoky Mountains.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 09:00 and 14:00

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Youth (6 to 11 years) · Child (under 2): free

GroupUp to 6

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsNo refund if you cancel.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Moderate physical effortNot recommended with heart problems

Operated by Smoky Mountain Guides

Is this one for you?This is a guided hike, so you're walking at the guide's pace and stopping when they point something out, which suits someone who wants to understand the mountains rather than just move through them. If you're new to hiking or prefer learning the story of a place alongside the walk itself, the guide's knowledge and the gentle trail make this work. If you want a solo adventure or a faster-paced climb, look elsewhere.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (6 to 11 years); Child (under 2): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. No refund if you cancel.

What's the Great Smoky Mountains logging history that the guide talks about?

The guide points out artifacts from the region's logging past as you hike, explaining how the mountains were logged and what that means for the forest you're walking through now. The ruins and remnants you see are part of that story.

How many waterfalls do you actually visit on this hike?

The itinerary takes you to a variety of waterfalls rather than a single one, so the number varies depending on the route and the group's pace. Each waterfall is a stopping point where you can cool off and rest.

Is this hike suitable if I've never hiked before?

Yes, the trail is designed as an introduction to the Great Smoky Mountains and is described as a great trip for new hikers. The gentle grade and the short distance from the parking area (never more than a couple miles) make it manageable for someone building hiking experience.

What wildlife might I see?

Bear, deer, and turkeys move through the area, and the guide knows where to look for them. Sightings aren't guaranteed, but the guide will point out signs of wildlife and explain what you're observing.

Do I need to bring my own water and snacks?

No, bottled water and snacks are provided throughout the hike, so you can travel light and focus on the trail and what the guide is explaining.