Explore the park with Friends of the Smokies
Trails Forever Hikes are offered the second Tuesday and fourth Wednesday of the month, April through 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.
2024 Hikes
Tuesday, April 9th – Porters Creek– SOLD OUT
7.2 miles | 1,400 ft elevation gain
Wildflowers, John Messer Barn, Out & Back
Nearest Town: Gatlinburg, TN
Hike Leader: Danny Bernstein
Tuesday, May 14th – Mountains-to-Sea Trail, Andrews Bald & Clingmans Dome
7.4 miles | 1,600 ft elevation gain
Mountains to Sea Trail Highlight, Out & Back
Nearest Town: Gatlinburg, TN or Cherokee, NC
Hike Leader: Danny Bernstein
Tuesday, June 11th – Mt. Le Conte– SOLD OUT
11.7 miles |3,800 ft elevation gain
Trails Forever Restoration Project, Shuttle Provided
Nearest Town: Gatlinburg, TN
Hike Leader: Dolly McLean
Tuesday, July 9th – Noland Creek
10.2 miles | 900 ft elevation gain
History, Out & Back
Nearest Town: Bryson City, NC
Hike Leader: Beth Ransom
Tuesday, August 13th – Sugarland Mountain– SOLD OUT
11.9 miles | 700 ft elevation gain
History, Shuttle Provided
Nearest Town: Cherokee, NC or Gatlinburg, TN
Hike Leader: Steve Pierce
Tuesday, September 10th – Ramsey Cascades– SOLD OUT
8 miles | 2,200 ft elevation gain
Trails Forever Restoration Project, Out & Back
Nearest Town: Gatlinburg, NC
Hike Leader: Missy Kane Bemiller
Tuesday, October 8th – Little Cataloochee Trail from Horse Camp to Church– CANCELED
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
Wednesday, April 24th – Abrams Falls– SOLD OUT
5 miles | 500 ft elevation gain
Trails Forever Restoration Project, Out & Back
Nearest Town: Townsend, TN
Hike Leader: Missy Kane
Wednesday, May 22nd – Oconaluftee River Trail
3.2 miles | 100 ft elevation gain
Interpretation, Visitor Center, Out & Back
Nearest Town: Cherokee, NC
Hike Leader: TBD
Wednesday, June 26th – Hazel Creek– SOLD OUT
6 miles | 300 ft elevation gain
Boat Trip Organized, Out & Back
Nearest Town: Bryson City, NC or Fontana Village
Hike Leader: Missy Kane & Kevin Fitzgerald
Wednesday, July 24th – Mingus Creek
4 miles | 700 ft elevation gain
Enloe Slave Cemetery History, Out & Back
Nearest Town: Cherokee, NC
Hike Leader: Ed Fleming
Wednesday, August 28th – Cades Cove Loop
11 miles | 800 ft elevation gain OR 3.5 miles | 300 ft elevation gain
Walk or Bike, Loop
Nearest Town: Townsend, TN
Hike Leader: Sam Curtis and George & Nancy Dailey
Bike Leader: Karen Schultz
Wednesday, September 25th – Purchase Knob to Ferguson Cabin – SOLD OUT
4 miles | 900 ft elevation gain
Science Programs, Ferguson Cabin, Loop
Nearest Town: Waynesville & Maggie Valley, NC
Hike Leader: Rob Howard
Wednesday, October 23rd – Metcalf Bottoms to Walker Sisters Cabin
3.6 miles | 300 ft elevation gain
Forever Places Highlight, Out & Back
Nearest Town: Gatlinburg, TN
Hike Leader: George & Nancy Dailey
Tuesday, December 17th – Thomas Divide Trail and Newton Bald Trail– Reschedule
9.3 miles | 1,200 ft elevation gain
Shuttle Hike, Potluck, Final hike of the year
Nearest Town: Cherokee, NC
Hike Leader: Mike Knies
Details and Pricing:
Tuesday hikes: At least 6 miles; intended for experienced hikers
Wednesday hikes: Less than 6 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
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 2024 Trails Forever Sponsors!
