Come for a guided hike with A Walk in the Woods and explore meadows sparkling with wildflowers...the majesty of old-growth trees...the caress of emerald-green moss...or the symphony of a waterfall. Or stand on top of a mountain, surrounded by a floating mist, looking into an endless sea of mountains. Your guides Erik and Vesna Plakanis have hiked thousands of miles through these mountains and they'll lead you to some of the most magical places in North America. When you take a guided hike with them, you'll learn about the natural and human history of the Smokies in a fun and delightful way. You'll hear Cherokee lore and maybe an Appalachian tall tale. You'll learn what the Native Americans and Settlers did for food and medicine before the there were grocery stores and pharmacies. You might even sample a tasty mountain treat. Every guided hike is geared towards enjoying the journey, using all of your senses to explore nature in a new way. Our guided hikes go deeper into the forest, cover more terrain and take you into places most visitors to the Smokies never see. These hikes are recommended for those in good physical shape who already have some hiking experience, but want to get more out of the beauty around them. Below are some of our guided nature hikes. Prices include lunch and snacks.

A sample of our more popular hikes:

 

Title of Hike Mt. LeConte
Length/Price Approximately 10 Hours of trail time. 11-12 miles. $130 for the 1st person, $60 for each additional person.
Upcoming Dates Call for availability (865) 436-8283
Description Clingmans Dome may be the highest peak in the Park, but Mt. LeConte is widely considered the highest and most spectacular mountain. Experience it all. We will climb through a rock, travel through an old growth forest, pass breathtaking vistas, and explore the powerful force of water as we make our way to the top of the most impressive mountain in the Park. On our way, we will pause at a breathtaking vista, overlooking the spot where the fastest animal in the world, the Peregrine Falcon, has made its home. We will visit the LeConte Lodge, and observe some of the most famous views in the Park. We will lunch on a point overlooking Gatlinburg and then do it all over again on our way down.
Title of Hike Mt LeConte II North/South
Length/Price Approximately 12 hours hiking time. 13-14 miles. $160 for the 1st person. $70 each additional person.
Upcoming Dates Call for availability (865) 436-8283
Description Take the Mt. LeConte hike above, and add a return trip down the rugged north face to experience the greatest summit to base elevation change in the Park. Waterfalls, vistas; a very different trail experience on the way down. One of the ultimate Smoky Mountain experiences.
Title of Hike Mountain Panorama
Length/Price Approximately 10 hours of trail time. 11.5 miles. $130 for the 1st person, $60 for each additional person.
Upcoming Dates Call for availability (865) 436-8283
Description A 360-degree view of the most remote section of the Smokies awaits you. Our journey begins in a cool, moss covered forest before climbing up the rugged spine of the famous Appalachian Trail. Big trees and vistas reward our hard work before reaching the newly restored 1930's fire tower. Since this is the most remote section of the Park, wildlife signs abound. Perhaps we will catch a glimpse of the icon of the Smokies, the black bear.
Title of Walk Old Growth Waterfall Hike
Length/Price Approximately 8 hours of trail time. 8 miles round trip. $100 for the 1st person, $50 each additional person.
Upcoming Dates Call for availability (865) 436-8283
Description

Hike along a beautiful mountain river surrounded by a multitude of wildflowers. Come to a breathtaking Appalachian Cove forest found nowhere else on earth. Pause in the presence of giant trees on your way to the highest and most beautiful waterfall in the Park while you picnic on a carpet of moss.

 
Title of Walk Old Scenic Homestead Hike
Length/Price Approximately 12 hours of trail time. 17 miles. $180 for the 1st person, $75 for each additional person.
Upcoming Dates Call for availability (865) 436-8283
Description If history is your passion, come for a hike with us as we journey back in time and explore some forgotten homesteads. On this lower elevation trail, you are almost guaranteed a day of seclusion as our journey meanders past beautiful rock walls that line old farm fields, tall chimneys, remnants of settler's homes, as well as the famous Parton Cemetery. This hike illustrates how Mother Nature recovers from man's influence. We will do some off trail exploring on this full day adventure.
Title of Walk Off the Beaten Path
Length/Price Approximately 6 hours of trail time. 6 miles round trip. $80 for the 1st person, $40 each additional person.
Upcoming Dates Call for availability (865) 436-8283
Description

Looking to get a way from it all? This hike combines off trail hiking with a very secluded trail. You’ll experience small cascades, some adventurous stream crossings, rock walls and chimneys, giant trees, ending with a visit to a beautiful barn and springhouse.

 
Title of Walk Exploring the Appalachian Trail
Length/Price Approximately 9 Hours of trail time. 9 miles. $130 for the 1st person, $60 for each additional person.
Upcoming Dates Call for availability (865) 436-8283
Description Thousands of people attempt to hike the 2000 miles of this trail, come find out why with this This adventurous trek on a section of the AT. Hike up to the highest peak in the Smokies, the second highest east of the Rockies. Learn about the incredible geology of the Smokies, walk through a fragrant boreal forest, and experience firsthand why so many people fall in love with the Appalachian trail.
Title of Walk Court House Rock Adventure
Length/Price Approximately 4 Hours of trail time. 4 miles. $75 per person
Upcoming Dates Call for availability (865) 436-8283
Description Looking to truly get away from the crowds? Come explore a trail most locals don't even know about! We'll begin our morning adventure walking an ancient road bed. Our trail narrows as we follow a gentle mountain stream up to a boulder field. Before the real work begins, we'll explore an old moonshine cave. Now, we climb up a narrow ridge, pausing for a snack break as we gaze into the Sugarland Valley below. After we catch our breath, we'll continue our climb up this forgotten path to an old home site on the edge of a steep mountain. We'll explore a forest the old timers used to call “Hells” because of their difficult and tangled terrain. Our uphill trek ends as we explore a magnificent, giant rock formation, something you'd expect to see in the Western states. We'll turn around and lunch next to a hidden, mountain cascade before we greet the crowds below.

 

Looking for something with a slower pace? Please visit our Walks page.
Please call: 865-436-8283 or e-mail for reservations or more information.
A Walk in the Woods is now celebrating our 10th anniversary. In that time we have safely helped over 27,000 people enjoy the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. We are permitted through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and insured. We are certified Wilderness First Responders and in professional CPR plus trained in Non-Lethal Aversive Bear Conditioning.

 

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