The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is home to over 150 hiking trails, which may seem a little intimidating to the first-time visitor! The good news is that several organizations in the area offer guided hikes, allowing you to experience everything from the park’s most popular trails to hidden gems! This is also a fun way for repeat visitors to discover something new! Here are 4 local organizations that offer guided hikes in the Smoky Mountains:
1. Friends of the Smokies
Friends of the Smokies is an organization that offers guided hikes to raise funds and awareness of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The ‘Classic Hikes of the Smokies’ are offered on the second Tuesday of every month from March through December, and feature interpretation of the trail, history, and updates on park projects supported by Friends of the Smokies. The hikes vary in distance, difficulty, and location, so you can pick the one that is most appealing to you! You may discover anything from historic structures nestled in the valleys to high Appalachian vistas during your trek! The registration fees raise funds for Trails Forever, a program supporting the restoration and rehabilitation of some of the most impacted trails.
2. A Walk in the Woods
Another one of the local organizations that offer guided hikes in the Smoky Mountains is A Walk in the Woods, whose mission is to “raise environmental awareness through direct, fun, positive experiences with nature”. The company is owned by a husband and wife team who collectively have more than 70 years of experience in hiking the Appalachian Mountains, covering thousands of miles of trails! You can choose anything from a short guided walk to full-day hikes in the Smokies, as well as overnight backpacking trips through the forest! Your experience may include incredible vistas, gentle cascades, waterfalls, majestic ancient forests, crystal clear mountain streams, old home sites, graveyards, or hidden trails!
3. Smoky Mountain Guides
Smoky Mountain Guides provides high-quality, guided adventures and interpretive tours of the Smoky Mountain region with trip leaders who have years of experience leading and planning trips worldwide! You’ll find an exciting selection of day hikes available to amazing destinations such as Andrews Bald, Arch Rock, Mt. LeConte, and Clingman’s Dome! Whether you want to see breathtaking waterfalls, majestic mountain peaks, or portions of the famous Appalachian Trail, Smoky Mountain Guides has a hike for you! There are overnight and multi-day hiking trips available as well, or you can even create your own custom backpacking adventure!
4. Smoky Mountains Hiking Club
The Smoky Mountains Hiking Club is a group that is not only passionate about hiking but proudly maintains 102 miles of Appalachian Trail in the Smokies and Nantahala National Forest! Their missions also include education about the outdoors and advocacy for crucial conservation issues. The club offers weekly hikes in the Smokies, as well as the chance to try some high-elevation trail maintenance on the Appalachian Trail! You are welcome to register for most hikes as a visitor of the Smoky Mountains Hiking Club, or you can become a member yourself if planning to visit the Smokies several times over a one-year period!
Now that you know about some of the local organizations that offer guided hikes in the Smoky Mountains, learn about the items you should bring with you to make hiking in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park more enjoyable!
