Explore the park with Friends of the Smokies

Trails Forever Hikes are offered the second Tuesday and fourth Wednesday of the month, March through November, plus two Saturdays in May and October. The hikes feature interpretation of the trail, history, ecology, and updates on park projects supported by Friends of the Smokies. Your participation supports Trails Forever, a program dedicated to the restoration and rehabilitation of some of the Smokies most impacted trails.

2025 Hikes

1. March 11, Tuesday – Chestnut Top & Schoolhouse Gap
6.4 miles | 1,400 ft elevation gain
wildflowers, group organized shuttle
Nearest Town: Townsend, TN
Hike Leader: Sam Curtis

3. April 8, Tuesday – Bradley Fork Trail
8.2 miles | 1,000 ft elevation gain
wildflowers, out & back
Nearest Town: Cherokee, NC
Hike Leader: Danny Bernstein

5. May 3, Saturday – Meigs Creek & Curry Mountain Trail
8.7 miles | 1,900 ft elevation gain
creek crossings, group organized shuttle
Nearest Town: Townsend, TN
Hike Leader: Sam Curtis

6. May 13, Tuesday – A.T., Sweat Heifer Cr, Kephart Prong
7.4 miles | 900 ft elevation gain
shuttle provided, one-way, high elevation views
Nearest Town: Gatlinburg, TN or Cherokee, NC
Hike Leader: Steve Pierce

8. June 10, Tuesday – Gregory Bald
11.6 miles | 3,000 ft elevation gain
out & back, flame azaleas, grassy bald, views
Nearest Town: Townsend, TN
Hike Leader: Dolly McLean

10. July 8, Tuesday – Mt. Sterling & Baxter Creek Trail
8.8 miles | 3,000 ft elevation gain
shuttle provide, views
Nearest Town: Waterville, NC
Hike Leader: Steve Winchester

12. Aug. 12, Tuesday – Purchase Knob, Hemphill Bald, Caldwell Fork, & McKee Branch Trail
11.3 miles | 2,800 ft elevation gain
one-way loop, high elevation views, Appalachian Highlands Learning Center
Nearest Town: Waynesville, NC
Hike Leader: Kevin Fitzgerald

14. Sep. 9, Tuesday – Twenty Mile Trail & AT
8.7 miles | 2,400 ft elevation gain
group organized shuttle, one-way, Appalachian Trail, Shuckstack Tower
Nearest Town: Fontana Village, NC
Hike Leader: Lynda Doucette

16., Oct. 14, Tuesday – Hyatt Ridge & Beech Gap Trail
8.2 miles | 2,200 ft elevation gain
group organized shuttle, one-way
Nearest Town: Cherokee, NC
Hike Leader: Dolly McLean

17. Oct. 18, Saturday – Noland Divide Trail
6.7 miles | 2,400 ft elevation gain
out & back, Lonesome Pine Overlook
Nearest Town: Bryson City, NC
Hike Leader: Karen Shultz

19. Nov. 11, Tuesday – Little Cataloochee Trail
8 miles | 2,600 ft elevation gain
Trails Forever Restoration Project, Forever Places Highlight, Church, Palmer House, out & back
Nearest Town: Waynesville & Maggie Valley, NC
Hike Leader: Mike Knies

2. March 26, Wednesday – Old Settlers Trail
7 miles | 800 ft elevation gain
wildflowers, historic structures, out & back
Nearest Town: Gatlinburg, TN
Hike Leader: Missy Kane & Ed Fleming

4. April 23, Wednesday – Cucumber Gap & Little River Trail
5.1 miles | 600 ft elevation gain
wildflowers, one-way loop, Forever Places
Nearest Town: Gatlinburg, TN
Hike Leader: Ed Fleming

7. May 28, Wednesday – Middle Prong Trail
7 miles | 800 ft elevation gain
falls, out & back
Nearest Town: Townsend, TN
Hike Leader: Sam Curtis

9. June 25, Wednesday – Bull Head Trail
5.2 miles | 1,600 ft elevation gain
Trails Forever project, out & back
Nearest Town: Gatlinburg, TN
Hike Leader: Beth Ransom

11. July 23, Wednesday – Lakeshore Trail ~ 87-77
7.6 miles | 1,400 ft elevation gain
boat shuttle, one-way, historic structures
Nearest Town: Fontana Village, NC
Hike Leader: TBD

13. Aug. 27, Wednesday – Albright Grove Loop Trail, Maddron Bald Trail
6.7 miles | 1,500 ft elevation gain
out & back old growth forest
Nearest Town: Gatlinburg, TN
Hike Leader: George & Nancy Dailey

15. Sep. 24, Wednesday – Cades Cove Adventure
TBD miles | TBD ft elevation gain
Choose your own adventure: bike with hike to Abrams Falls, walk the full loop, walk the half loop
Nearest Town: Townsend, TN
Hike Leader: Missy Kane

18. October 22, Wednesday – Gabes Mountain Trail
4.2 miles | 800 ft elevation gain
Hen Wallow Falls, out & back
Nearest Town: Gatlinburg, TN
Hike Leader: George & Nancy Dailey

20. Nov. 26, Wednesday – Deep Creek Waterfall Loop
5.5 miles | 600 ft elevation gain
waterfalls, one-way loop, holiday potluck
Nearest Town: Bryson City, NC
Hike Leader: Danny Bernstein

Details and Pricing:

Tuesday hikes: At least 7 miles; intended for experienced hikers
Wednesday hikes: Less than 7 miles; beginner-friendly paced

Please sign up for hikes appropriate for your experience and capability. If you are unsure, contact us so we can give you more details about the strenuosity of the specific hike. Registration for all hikes is limited to 25 participants.

$25 per hike (with exception to the Lakeshore Trail Hike which will be $45 to cover the boat shuttle)

You must read through the waiver prior to registering.

After completing registration, you will receive an email the Friday before the hike with directions, and more information. The Tuesday hikes begin at 9 a.m. and the Wednesday hikes begin at 10 a.m. All hikes are intended to be full-day experiences.

GSMNP Parking Tags: Great Smoky Mountains National Park’s Park it Forward program requires visitors to buy and display a valid parking tag for any vehicle parking for more than 15 minutes. Participants of the Trails Forever Hikes are responsible for obtaining a parking tag prior to attending a hike. Annual passes are available through Smokies Life at smokiesinformation.org, daily and weekly passes are available at recreation.gov. Read more about the Park it Forward program at https://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/fees.htm.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out by emailing olivia@friendsofthesmokies.org.

Special Thanks to our 2025 Trails Forever Sponsors!