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- HIKE: Long but Pleasant Weekday Hike O&B (15 miles, or make it shorter!)Needs location
If you want to stretch your legs on a longer hike, then this one is for you! (Jakes Creek to Cucumber Gap to Little River to Goshen Prong to Campsite 23, returning the same way.) We’ll start in the Elkmont area of the Smokies, with a short walk on the Jakes Creek Trail, then cut across the Cucumber Gap Trail to reach the Little River Trail. We’ll enjoying the beauty of the rushing waters and cascades of the Little River before reaching the Goshen Prong Trail. This trail continues the water views and gentle rise before reaching the spur to Campsite 23, where we will enjoy lunch. We’ll return the way we came.
Total hike is 15 miles, rated Difficult for distance, with total elevation gain of 1500 ft. There are several opportunities to shorten the distance if you choose.
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. - AT Work Trip: From Low Gap to Mt. Cammerer Side TrailNeeds location
This Appalachian Trail work trip will involve mostly clearing vegetation and cleaning out water bars from Low Gap to the side trail to Mt. Cammerer. To help break up the workday, participants can join the leader for a visit to the fire tower at Mt. Cammerer. Participants will need to wear sturdy footwear and weather appropriate attire. Please also bring gloves, lunch, snacks, and plenty of water. Tools will be provided. If you have favorite tools you prefer to use, please bring those as well. The access trail to the AT (Low Gap, 3 miles) and eventually Mt. Cammerer (for those interested) are considered Difficult so please be aware ahead of time.
For more information and to register for this event, go to the Smoky Mountains Hiking Club website HERE. - DIFFICULT HIKE: Old Settlers Trail to Campsite 33 O&B (13 miles)Needs location
We will be hiking only a portion of the Old Settlers Trail out of Greenbrier. As the name implies, this was a heavily settled area in the Smokies, and along the trail are solitary chimneys, rock walls, and other evidence of early mountain community life. Campsite 33 is about 6.5 miles from the start, and this will be our turnaround point. We will encounter a few water crossings (trickiness will depend on recent rains), and a couple of challenging climbs are involved.
Hike is 13 miles. Rated Difficult for distance and a few big climbs.
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. - 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.
