Women’s Smoky Mountain Boots and Roots Hiking Trip

Just when we think Great Smoky Mountains National Park can’t get any more gorgeous, YOU WALTZ IN. Plan on arriving at our Glamping campsite by 5pm to settle in before our 7pm Official Kick-off and Welcome Dinner. Tonight, we take it easy to rest/carb up for our hike in the morning. Hello, pass the potatoes, and goodnight! 

Meals: D

After a hearty breakfast, we’re headed out hike into the insanely gorgeous Ramsey Cascade. These stunning summits are located in the Greenbrier area of the Smokies aka where Dolly Parton’s family once lived before the National Park was formed. It’s also home to everything you could possibly want in a hike: old growth forests, creek crossings, foot bridges, the tallest waterfall in the Smokies, and lush rhododendron and mountain laurel. 

Elevation Gain: 2,190’
Distance: 8.0 miles
Time: 5 hours hiking
Moderate – Strenuous

Meals: B-L-D

*Explorer Chick reserves the option to modify trip itineraries at the discretion of your tour director as necessary due to weather, conditions, illness, injury, group dynamics, availability, or other unforeseen incidents.

We get handsy and gossipy today as we sling clay on the pottery wheel and talk about all the famous female influences in the Smokies.

First, we’ll take an easy-to-moderate surprise hike with historical juiciness to jumpstart our morning.

After our morning hike, we’ll head to the Arts and Crafts District to learn wheel throwing 101 and some history of Appalachian crafts by a local artisan. You’ll enjoy a private class and we’ll will 100% play Unchained Melody so we can all reenact Ghost. What are we sculpting? CUSTOM EXPLORER CHICK MUGS! (Which can also be used for moonshine.) Using your own hands, you’ll sculpt and mold your mug from a ball of clay into a fully-functional, dishwasher-safe, glazed beaut that’ll arrive directly to your home about 10 weeks later.

In the afternoon, we’re off to hike along babbling Jake’s Creek. Trek through lush forests, past old stone walls, and explore abandoned structures, soaking up a perfect blend of nature and history. Our destination? A cozy, rustic log cabin that sparked the creativity of local artist Mayna Avent.

We will enjoy a dinner out in town tonight and have plenty of time in the evening to stroll the streets of Gatlinburg. Enjoy your last full night with your new besties!

Elevation Gain: 500′
Distance: 4.5 miles
Time: 3.5 – 4 hours hiking
Easy-Moderate

Meals: B-L-D

We’ve got one last adrenaline rush up our bra straps as we hike to Spruce Flat Falls, a hidden gem on the “quiet side” of the Smokies. After snapping some glamour shots by the cascading falls, we’re off to school—but not for class! We’ll hike through the forest to the historic Little Greenbrier Schoolhouse, straight out of the 1800s.

Next, we’ll drop by the Walker Sisters’ homeplace, where these tough mountain women lived off the land until the 1960s, holding tight to their traditional mountain life.

Afterwards, we’ll say our teary goodbyes, and head our separate ways. NO, YOU HANG UP FIRST.

Plan to depart no earlier than 4pm EST.

Total Elevation Gain: 750′
Total Distance: 4.5 miles
Time: 4 hours hiking
Easy – Moderate

*Explorer Chick reserves the option to modify trip itineraries at the discretion of your tour director as necessary due to weather, conditions, illness, injury, group dynamics, availability, or other unforeseen incidents.