by Julie Dodd
Start planning now to join the 2019 Classic Hikes of the Smokies. The hikes are each Tuesday of the month, from March through December.
These guided hikes explore trails all over the park and support Trails Forever, a partnership between the National Park Service and Friends of the Smokies dedicated to rehabilitating high-use trails.
Whole Series Special
Register for all nine Classic Hikes of the Smokies between now and the first hike and receive a discounted rate of $160 (that’s one hike free!). Mail a check to PO Box 3179, Asheville, NC 28802, or register online and select ‘Whole Series Special’
List of Monthly Hikes
March 12 – Big Creek
4.3 miles | 600 ft climb | Easy
Features: Wildflowers, Cascades
Register
April 9 – Porters Creek
7.4 miles | 1,500 ft climb | Moderate
Features: Wildflowers, Scenic Creek
Register
May 14 – Big, Caldwell, and Rough Fork Loop
9.4 miles | 1,650 ft climb | Difficult
Features: Historic Cataloochee Valley, Old Growth Trees, Wildflowers, Elk
Register
June 25-26 – Gatlinburg Overnight Experience
Buckhorn Inn
*New Date* — Information coming soon!
July 9 – Noland Divide
7.4 miles | 1,700 ft climb | Difficult
Features: Mountain Vistas, Balsam and Hemlock Trees
Register
August 13 – A.T./Sweat Heifer/Kephart Prong
7.4 miles | 300 ft climb | Moderate
Features: Mountain Vistas, Civilian Conservation Corps Camp
Register
September 10 – Trillium Gap
13.1 miles | 3,300 ft climb | Difficult
Features: Historic LeConte Lodge, Trails Forever Project
Register
October 8 – Hyatt Ridge Loop
9.4 miles | 2,200 ft climb | Difficult
Features: Remote Trails, Geology
Register
November 12 – Thomas Divide & Indian Creek
12 miles | 2,600 ft climb | Difficult
Features: Mixed Forest Types
Register
December 10 – Goldmine Loop
4.5 miles | 500 ft climb | Moderate
Features: Historic Home Sites, Holiday Celebration
Register
After completing registration, you will receive an email the Friday before the hike with carpool specifics, directions, and more information.
[The group photo at the top of the post is of the hikers for the October 2018 Classic Hike of the Flat Creek Trail. Photo by Linda Spangler.]
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