Smoky Mountains Weekend Retreat

• May 17-20, 2024

 Detailed Itinerary*

SheTravels acknowledges that while most of the signage in and around Great Smoky Mountains National Park celebrates the history of European and White American colonizers, the original inhabitants and caretakers of the land we will be visiting are the Tsalaguwetiyi (Cherokee, East) and the S'atsoyaha (Yuchi).

Day 1

Welcome to Tennessee! Meet your SheTravels guides and fellow adventurers at 9:30am** at our rendezvous hotel near Knoxville’s McGhee Tyson Airport. From there your guides will drive you to our luxury cabin in time for your welcome lunch and introductory activities that help us build community and set intentions for the weekend ahead.

After lunch we’ll pack up some snacks and head out to the first hike - a 2.6 mile out-and-back trail to Grotto Falls. This hike leads to a beautiful waterfall, where the trail wraps behind the falls for both a beautiful experience and the possibility for some Instagram-worthy pictures 😁

When we return to the cabin, take advantage of the pool table, theater room, hot tubs, or just take in the views from the patio while the guides prepare the evening meal. We won’t keep you up too late - Day 2 has an early morning start and we hope you’ll get some rest for the learning and adventures ahead!

Total Hiking Distance: 2.6 miles  Total Hiking Incline: about 500 feet

Day 2

We’ll kick off Day 2 with a hearty breakfast, then head to Tennessee’s tallest mountain, Clingman’s Dome. From there we’ll start a 3.5 mile out-and-back trail to Andrew’s Bald. This hike leads to a rare feature in the densely forested Smokies - Andrew’s “bald” is a meadow clearing that offers panoramic views of the mountains around it. The Forney Ridge Trail down to Andrew’s Bald is about 1.7 miles and descends roughly 900 feet. The bald is a perfect place to stop for pictures and snacks, and enjoy the beautiful scenery before heading back up the 1.7 miles to the trailhead.

At the cabin before dinner you’ll have another opportunity to take advantage of all our luxury accommodations have to offer.

Total Hiking Distance: 3.5 miles  Total Hiking Incline: about 900 feet

Day 3

At SheTravels we love getting the best trails to ourselves! So we’ll have an early breakfast, pack our lunches, and drive to Cades Cove where we’ll start our hike to Abram’s Falls, a 5 mile out-and-back trail.

This trail follows the lovely shoreline of Abrams Creek for 2.5 miles of gentle ups and downs until it reaches Abrams Falls - the most voluminous waterfall in the national park. We’ll stop here for pictures and lunch as we take in the falls and surrounding scenery.

After hiking 2.5 miles back to the trailhead, we’ll take a scenic drive through Cades Cove, stopping to explore parts of the valley and to look for wildlife along the way.

During our final dinner, your SheTravels guides will facilitate a closing circle activity, offering an opportunity to reflect on your experience and what you’ll take home with you.

Total Hiking Distance: 5 miles  Total Hiking Incline: about 600 feet

Day 4

On our final morning we’ll bid farewell to the Smoky Mountains as we catch sunrise atop Clingman’s Dome (weather permitting). 

After sunrise we’ll have a final breakfast together, pack up some snacks, and drive back to Knoxville. We’ll arrive at McGhee Tyson Airport no later than 12:00pm.

*All SheTravels itineraries are subject to change based on weather and safety conditions at the time of our adventures.

**Depending on where you’re traveling from, you may need to arrive in Knoxville the day/evening before the start of this adventure. Upon registering, SheTravels will provide a list of recommended hotels in the area.

Physical Demands: MODERATE / HIGH

We’ve curated an experience that offers a variety of hiking terrain, elevation, and trail lengths. For your safety and enjoyment we want to be realistic about the physical demands and to make sure you’re prepared for a fun and rewarding experience.

Please take a close look at the detailed itinerary above to understand distances and elevation changes on our daily hikes. For this adventure you need to be comfortable being on your feet for several hours at a time, be able to ascend and descend multiple flights of stairs without severe joint pain, and be able to walk 3-5 miles multiple days in a row. For perspective, it’s ok if any of this will make you sore - that’s very normal. Also, SheTravels believes in being fully present in the moment so we move at a pace slow enough to take in the natural environment (its not the destination, but the journey!). We are sharing this information for you to make an honest call about whether these physical demands risk putting you in severe pain or causing injury. If you have any questions about your ability to enjoy this experience, please reach out to us at info@shetravels.com. We are happy to talk with you about what to expect, and how you can prepare. There’s likely PLENTY of time to get your body ready with some manageable movement practice.

Hiking Trail Difficulty: EASY / MODERATE

While the physical demands for this adventure are moderate to high due to the distances and amount of hiking we’ll be doing, all of the trails we’ll hike are rated “moderate” or “easy.” That means while some hikes may be longer, none include technically difficult components such as scrambling over boulders, or very steep inclines. That means no hiking expertise is required to participate and all hiking levels are welcome! When you register for this adventure, SheTravels will share a packing list that includes any recommended equipment that will help you enjoy these hikes safely. Again, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at info@shetravels.com with any questions you have about what to expect, or if this adventure is right for you!

Please note: by registering and paying a deposit for an Adventure, you acknowledge and agree that you have received, read, and understood the SheTravels Participation Agreement and agree to abide by the SheTravels’ policies as they may be amended from time to time. As of this time, ALL PARTICIPANTS will be required to provide proof of full vaccination against COVID-19 at the time of travel (final shot administered at least 14 days prior to start of your adventure). Accepted vaccines are Moderna, Pfizer-BioNTech, and Johnson & Johnson (Janssen).