Clingmans Dome Hike 4 hr - Image 1
Clingmans Dome Hike 4 hr - Image 2
Clingmans Dome Hike 4 hr - Image 3
Clingmans Dome Hike 4 hr - Image 4
Clingmans Dome Hike 4 hr - Image 5
Clingmans Dome Hike 4 hr - Image 6

Photo 1 / 6

Clingmans Dome Hike 4 hr

TourTruth score 7.7 out of 10

GoodTop 30% in Gatlinburg

25 reviews · Rated on 1 provider · How we score

  • Gatlinburg
  • 4 hrs
  • Updated November 2, 2026

Hike the Appalachian Trail through spruce-fir forest, then climb Clingmans Dome’s tower for sweeping 360-degree Smoky Mountain views.

About this tour

Take in the high-country scenery of the Great Smoky Mountains on a guided Clingmans Dome hike. Along the way, your knowledgeable guide shares stories about the region’s plant and animal life and the people who once called these mountains home.

Follow the highest section of the Appalachian Trail through dense spruce-fir forest, then climb the observation tower at 6,643 feet for sweeping 360-degree views. The activity lasts about four hours, and bottled water and snacks are provided. Meet your guide before driving your own car on the scenic, approximately 45-minute journey to the trailhead. A GSMNP parking pass is required, and a moderate fitness level is recommended. Set out for a memorable Clingmans Dome hike and experience the Smokies from above the forest canopy.

Highlights

  • Hike the highest section of the Appalachian Trail
  • Explore spruce-fir forest with a knowledgeable guide
  • Learn about local plant and animal life and regional history
  • Climb the observation tower at 6,643 feet for 360-degree views

What's included

Included

  • Bottled water
  • Snacks

Not included

  • GSMNP parking pass

Ratings on each provider

The ratings and review counts each booking site shows for this tour.

Important information

  • A GSMNP parking pass is required; details and online purchases are available at https://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/fees.htm
  • Meet your guide and follow in your own car to the trailhead; the scenic drive takes approximately 45 minutes
  • A moderate level of physical fitness is recommended
  • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health

Frequently asked questions

Is a parking pass required?

Yes. A GSMNP parking pass is required. Details and online purchases are available on the National Park Service website.

How do we get to the trailhead?

Meet your guide and follow in your own car. The scenic drive to the trailhead takes approximately 45 minutes.

How long is the hike?

The activity lasts 240 minutes.

What fitness level is recommended?

A moderate level of physical fitness is recommended. The hike is not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health.

What will we see on the hike?

The route follows the highest section of the Appalachian Trail through spruce-fir forest and climbs the Clingmans Dome observation tower at 6,643 feet.

How this score is calculated

This score is based on one provider. Viator rates it 4.92 from 25 reviews. We place that rating among all Viator ratings and weight it by its review count. If the tour is found on another provider later, both ratings are combined.

How the score works and rating distribution in Gatlinburg
  • Each provider rating is turned into a percentile: the share of that provider's ratings it beats, weighted by review counts.
  • Listings on different providers are combined in proportion to their review counts.
  • Tours with few reviews are pulled toward the average until more reviews come in, so a handful of perfect reviews can't top the list.
  • The result is shown from 0 to 10: this tour scores 7.7. Top 30% in Gatlinburg means it ranks in the top 30% of tours in Gatlinburg by this score.

Provider rating distribution in Gatlinburg

How many tours in Gatlinburg have a provider rating at or below each value. The dashed line is this tour.

  • GetYourGuide
  • Viator

More Day Hikes in Gatlinburg

from $230

on Viator

Check availability