Skip to content
Vacantier

Activity Gatlinburg, USA

Into the Ancient Forest: Waterfalls & Old-Growth Adventure

5.0 (2 reviews) 8 hours Free cancellation
Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

Into the Ancient Forest: Waterfalls & Old-Growth Adventure

About this activity

This is a powerful Smoky Mountain hike for guests who want the real thing: ancient trees, rhododendron tunnels, moss-covered boulders, rushing cascades, mountain streams, and a destination waterfall deep in one of the park’s most beautiful old-growth forests.

Into the Ancient Forest is a more strenuous guided adventure that rewards effort with a rich, immersive landscape. Along the way, your guide will help interpret the old-growth ecosystem, stream life, forest layers, and the natural forces that shape this lush mountain environment.

Best for: Strong hikers, waterfall lovers, old-growth forest enthusiasts, active travelers, and guests who want a more challenging Smoky Mountain adventure.

Duration: 8 Hours | Difficulty: Strenuous | Mileage: 7.8 | Elevation Change: 2200' | Ages: 12 and up

Meeting Location: Greenbrier Entrance | Greenbrier Parking Area 1, Gatlinburg, TN 37738

Hiking Tours Nature and Wildlife Tours Full-day Tours Private and Luxury Small Group Adventure Tours Likely To Sell Out Weather Dependent - Moderate

At a glance

Duration
8 hours
Confirmation
Instant confirmation
Ticket
Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group
Up to 11 people
People per booking
1–11
Guide
English
Operated by
A Walk in the Woods

Ages: Adults (12–98 years)

What is included

Included

  • Included: All Fees and Taxes
  • Included: Professional Guide
  • Included: Snacks: Peanut butter crackers and trail mix.
  • Included: Lunch: This tour includes a deli style sandwich, chips and cookies. You must provide your own water. Please contact us to make your sandwich selections.

Not included

  • Not included: Transportation
  • Not included: Gratuities
  • Not included: Bottled water: Drinks are not provided. Bring plenty of water.
  • Not included: Parking Tag not included. Contact us or purchase here: www.recreation.gov/activitypass/AP2510

Itinerary

  1. Great Smoky Mountains National Park

    8 hours

    Your Naturalist Guide will show you the best of Smokies on your tour.

Meeting point and pickup

Everyone meets at the meeting point.

Meeting point

  • This is the Greenbrier entrance to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. 6 miles East of Gatlinburg. We meet in the FIRST parking lot on the right. You will need your own vehicle.

End point

  • Since you will have followed the guide to the trailhead in your own vehicle, you are free to explore the area further if you'd like or head out.

Cancellation

Free cancellation

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

If you cancel You get back
At least one day before 100%
Less than a day before 0%
  • The operator may cancel if the weather does not allow it; you then get another date or your money back.
  • The operator may cancel if too few people book; you then get another date or your money back.

Good to know

  • Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries

  • Not recommended for pregnant travelers

  • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health

  • Travelers should have a high level of physical fitness

  • Please note that, while we do our best to follow the itinerary listed, we may need to pivot due to road closures or events outside of our control. We require a minimum of 2 people to operate this tour. We operate rain or shine.

Traveller ratings

5.0 out of 5 · 2 reviews
5
100%
4
0%
3
0%
2
0%
1
0%

Activities, prices and reviews are from Viator. Booking and payment happen on Viator; Vacantier may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Into the Ancient Forest: Waterfalls & Old-Growth Adventure

Pick a day to see the times and the price

Necessary cookies keep the site running and cannot be switched off. With your consent we also load Google Analytics, which tells us how the site is used, and our affiliate partners' scripts (Travelpayouts, Kiwi.com), which set cookies to credit us with bookings made through us. Details in the Cookie Policy.

  • Necessary

    The session, form protection, signing in, your chosen currency and this choice. The site does not work without them.

    Always on
  • Analytics

    Google Analytics. Counts visits and which pages and offers are used, so we know what to improve. It never receives your name, email or account.

  • Marketing and affiliate

    The Travelpayouts scripts and the Kiwi.com flight search. They set their own cookies, through which the partner knows you came from Vacantier.