Recently Viewed
Great Smoky Mountains: Hidden Cascade Hiking Tour
4.9
182 Ratings
Gatlinburg
Experience the hidden beauty of the Great Smoky Mountains on a guided hiking tour. Discover cascading waterfalls, stunning views, and rich cultural history. Book now!
Duration:
4 hours
Cancellation:
1 day
learn more
Highlights
- Cherokee Orchard Road - Hike on a quiet trail down to a beautiful cascade. Along the way we’ll learn the fascinating natural and human history of the Smokies, glimpse some beautiful views and explore how a forest recovers after a fire. This hike is considered moderate with some strenuous parts.
What's Included
- Professional guide
- Snacks
- All fees and/or taxes
What's Not Included
- Gratuities are appreciated for good service.
- Transportation to/from attractions
- Bottled water
- Lunch
- Rain Gear - We do have emergency ponchos on hand if needed.
- Parking Tag not included. Contact us or purchase here: www.recreation.gov/activitypass/AP2510
Additional Information
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is known for its incredible diversity of flora and fauna, rich cultural history, cascading waterfalls and stunning views. On this 4-hour guided hike, you get it all and with a small group maximum of 11 participants, avoiding the large crowds. This hike is for the adventurous at heart as it does have some strenuous climbing and descending on the trail as well as rock hopping across the creeks. For your safety and peace of mind, all guides are certified as Wilderness First Responders and non-lethal bear aversion techniques. Choose from one of two departure times when you book.
- This tour requires a 2 person minimum to operate. If you are traveling solo, you may join into an existing tour or pay the 2 person rate.
- Children’s minimum age is 8 years old.
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- Please bring: At least 64oz of water per person, sunscreen, and good walking shoes. If you have good rain gear or a favored walking stick, please bring these too.
- It is suggested at least one day pack to carry your gear. If you need us to, one can be provided with advance notice.
- You will be provided nut-based snacks (trail mix and peanut butter crackers). If you might have nut allergies, or do not enjoy the taste of nuts, please bring your own light snack.
- Gratuity of 10-20% is recommended
Location
Nantahala Outdoor Center Gatlinburg
Parkway
Meet in front of the stairs. From here you will follow the guide in your own vehicle.
Please note: The GSMNP will require parking tags for any vehicle stopping longer than 15 minutes. You can purchase your daily or weekly parking tag here: https://www.recreation.gov/activitypass/AP2510.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.9
(182 Ratings)
5 stars
4 stars
3 stars
2 stars
1 star
Ebony
Aug 10, 2024
Engaging Learning Experience - Awesome learning experience on my hike with China. She talked to us about the flora and fauna along the hike as well as the history of the area. She was a very engaging guide.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
B8023dfbobs
Jul 19, 2024
Flexible tour guide - We showed up for our hike, but after reading about the challenging climb and possibly slippery conditions of Baskins Creek Trail, we asked our tour guide if we could possibly switch to an alternative. She was very knowledgeable of other trails in the park, and cheerfully agreed. All along the hike, she gave interesting information about the plants, insects, wildlife and history of the park. She also allowed us to go at a comfortable pace, allowing time for breaks and exploring a bit. Great experience!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Michelle_r
Jul 8, 2024
Amazing Hike - Nicole was an amazing tour guide. She was incredibly knowledgeable and her stories will be forever remembered 🫶
Review provided by Viator
Ken_p
Jun 21, 2024
Amazing! - China was an awesome guide! She knew so much about the park, the wildlife, and the flower and fauna.
Review provided by Viator
Melissa_p
Jun 12, 2024
Waterfalls and bears - Great hike to a beautiful waterfall with a great guide Luci and we even saw a bear ! I would for sure do another one .
Review provided by Viator
Travelbunny91
Mar 12, 2024
Fun hike - Great guide. We thought the hike was fairly easy. My son and I are runners age 20 and 62. My concerns are about falling and felt this hike had a nice mix of traversing terrain and beauty. I feel our guide would have adapted the hike for beginners. However come prepared.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
C9900fljeffr
Feb 26, 2024
Great hike! - Amazing hike. Our tour guy was super knowledgeable and enjoys what he does! We will for sure be looking to book another one in the future!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Beepbeepboop
Feb 23, 2024
Well worth it. - Well worth it. We are city people and wanted a knowledgeable guide to take us a bit deeper into the park than we might go by ourselves. We enjoyed a beautiful day along the trail, the river, saw deer, visited a beautiful waterfall. Debbie was a terrific guide and companion, teaching us about the history, wildlife and foliage along our hike. Recommend.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Ruthiep1983
Jun 18, 2024
Hike to Watwrfak - Decided to check this guided hiking tour with some families. Enjoyed walking around smoky Mountain. Started the hike with seeing a Bear so that was exciting yet terrifying. China our tour guide was amazing and patient with my sister who was a first time hiker. Made sure the experienced hikers did not go ahead. China was also knowledgeable about the area and made the hike more interesting. Definitely easy to moderate hike especially going back, you get your thigh work out. Good hiking shoes will help. If you are new to hiking or want to learn more about the Smoky Mountain, a guide will definitely be of benefit.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Danayh0218
Aug 18, 2024
0/10 experience - This nicely presented tour is basically a scam. Beware!! If you carefully read the small print details you’ll realize transportation from the meeting point to the national park is not included and neither is the parking pass or water. You’re basically paying $83 per person for the company of a tour guide that helps you follow the already marked trails. We have been in many excursions in and out of the states and transportation from the meeting point to the adventure site has always been included, this is unheard of. We were not able to go to participate in the fully paid tour as we didn’t have our own vehicle. I attempted to Uber but it was too early and no drivers were available. This was when we discovered we had paid $166 for a tour guide to “help us” follow signs only. Since we were not able to participate we called the company to reschedule or get a refund and they weren’t accommodating or flexible at all, their answer was “it’s happened before, you should have read the details”. 0/10 experience
Review provided by Tripadvisor
