What we’re about
This group is operated by the Smoky Mountains Hiking Club, Inc. (07/17/2025).
Our Club members are passionate about hiking! Our missions also include education about the outdoors and advocacy for crucial conservation issues. In addition, we proudly maintain 102 miles of Appalachian Trail in the Smokies and Nantahala National Forest.
Join one of our weekly hikes in the beautiful, rugged Smokies and surrounding natural areas here in East Tennessee. Try your hand at some high-elevation trail maintenance on the Appalachian Trail. Participate in conservation efforts to preserve our natural heritage.
SMHC offers adventure and fun for all kinds of people - like you. Join us!
Upcoming events (4)
See all- CHALLENGING HIKE: Abrams Falls (the back way)/Rabbit Creek Loop (12.2 miles)Needs location
This challenging loop hike in the Smokies will have us visiting beautiful Abrams Falls as the first part of our journey. We will go to the falls via the “back way” from the Abrams Creek Ranger Station (down the Cooper Road and Little Bottoms Trails, and ultimately to the falls). After a rest and snack/lunch, we will backtrack to where we must cross Abrams Creek to reach the Hannah Mountain Trail – this requires wading, which can be extremely hazardous in high water. We will soon reach the Rabbit Creek Trail, which rises slightly before descending to where we will ultimately cross Abrams Creek again before arriving back at the Ranger Station.
Hike is 12.2 miles. Rated difficult. Note that if the creek waters are too high to cross safely, we will find alternate routes.
For more information and to register for this event, go to the Smoky Mountains Hiking Club website HERE.
Our Difficult hikes are: 10-14+ miles and/or elevation change of 1800-2500' or more, mostly on trail, some off-trail possible. Hikers should be regularly hiking 8+ miles with continuous elevation gains of 500+ feet per mile for a sustained 2 to 5 miles (or more), at a 2.0-3.0 mph pace. - EASY HIKE: Lakeshore Park, Knoxville (3 miles)Needs location
Hey Y'all--we're going to Lakeshore! We'll walk a paved trail with lots of shade, visit a fun children's playground and a muscle-building adult playground; climb an odd walking loop that looks like the last minutes of the Titanic; pass native plant meadows, a native plant wooded wetland, labeled trees, and a view of Le Conte. Some hills, early exit opportunities, and a bathroom half way around. Bring water and a snack. Expect a tree quiz!
Hike is about 3 miles, rated Easy.
For more information and to register for this event, go to the Smoky Mountains Hiking Club website HERE.
Our Easy hikes are: 5 miles or less and up to 1000' elevation change (on trail). Hikers should be comfortable hiking at a 1.5-2.0 mph pace with 300+ feet of continuous elevation gain over a mile. - MODERATE HIKE: Curry Mountain Trail to Buckhorn Gap O&B (10.6 miles)Needs location
From the Metcalf Bottoms parking lot, we’ll take a short walk down the road to the Curry Mountain trailhead. Then it’s up that trail 3.3 miles (with an elevation gain of 1100’) to catch the Meigs Mountain Trail. On this trail, we’ll pass a small cemetery (with mostly old unmarked headstones) and then Campsite 19 (with tangled grapevines lining the trail) before reaching Buckhorn Gap (for a total RT distance of 10.6 miles). We’ll return the way we came.
Hike is 10.6 miles. Rated Moderate.
For more information and to register for this event, go to the Smoky Mountains Hiking Club website HERE.
Our Moderate hikes are: 5-10 miles and/or elevation change of 1000-1800', on trail hiking. Hikers should be regularly hiking 5+ miles with 400-500 feet of continuous elevation gain over a mile, at a 2.0-2.5 mph pace. - MODERATE HIKE: The Ace Gap Trail O&B (11.2 miles)Needs location
If you’ve never been to the Ace Gap Trailhead, the first surprise will be the twisty-curvy drive you’ll take up the side of the mountain outside of Townsend to get there. As we begin our hike on the Ace Gap Trail, the second surprise will be the rolling hills we’ll encounter. Just because we begin and end the trail at about the same elevation doesn’t mean we won’t do some climbing! At the end of the trail is Blair Gap on Hurricane Mountain and the intersection with the Beard Cane Trail (5.6 miles). After lunch there, we’ll return the same way.
Hike is 11.2 miles with elevation gain of 1,925 ft., rated on the Moderate side of Difficult.
For more information and to register for this event, go to the Smoky Mountains Hiking Club website HERE.
Our Moderate hikes are: 5-10 miles and/or elevation change of 1000-1800', on trail hiking. Hikers should be regularly hiking 5+ miles with 400-500 feet of continuous elevation gain over a mile, at a 2.0-2.5 mph pace.
