Nantahala Hiking Club

06/04/2026

What's your favorite thing about night hikes? I'll go first: Cooler temps.

Join us for this evening hike on the woodland and field trails in the light of the Strawberry Moon, also known as the Summer Solstice Moon! We are likely to hear numerous different kinds of singing frogs and insects, as well as other nocturnal delights. Head to our website for more details and registration.

06/02/2026

Celebrate our trails.

Join us this weekend for a National Trails Day Celebration!

🗺️ On Friday, June 5th we’ll have staff, ambassadors, board members, and volunteers at both the main trailheads (Cold Mtn & Salt Rock) tabling a trailhead info booth from 10 AM - 12 PM. Come out and ask us any questions you may have or purchase a map!

🔥 That evening we’re having a fireside chat at our office in downtown Sylva (116 Central Street) from 5 PM - 7 PM where you’re welcome to bring your own tools. We’ll teach you how to sharpen them or you’re welcome to sharpen ours while enjoying some toasted marshmallows, and ice cold beverages.

🥾 The following day June 6th is National Trails Day! We’re going to have a workday at the Salt Rock Gap Trailhead from 9 AM - 2 PM putting in steps on the Blackrock Trail and maintaining rolling grade dips.

We hope you’ll come out and visit/volunteer at one or all of these events! The only event you have to RSVP to is the trail workday. You can find that RSVP link in the comments!

06/02/2026

Flying Mammal Alert! Love 'em!!

🦇 Registration is now open for our next Nature Center Night: What Bat is That?

Join our Naturalists on Tuesday, June 16 from 8:00–9:00 PM for an evening walk through the Botanical Garden as we search for the many fascinating bats that call the Highlands area home. Stretch your wings, tune into their sounds, and watch them in flight!

🗓 Tuesday, June 16
⏰ 8:00–9:00 PM
👨‍👩‍👧 All ages welcome
💲 FREE | Registration required

Register today: https://highlandsbiological.org/naturecenternights/ -16

This free program is provided by Highlands Biological Foundation.

06/02/2026

This adventurous group was treated to an Introduction to Hiking on the Appalachian Trail with Hike Leader Katharine Brown. Their 3-mile hike began at Winding Stair Gap and headed north. They hiked beyond Moore's group campsite to the gap and returned to Winding Stair. Everyone agreed this short hike was a great way to experience some of the demands of hiking the Appalachian Trail.

05/26/2026

This week our Trail Maintainers will support the Appalachian Trail Conservancy's Konnerock team to bring their equipment and supplies from Beech Gap, saving them a 6-mile re-hike back up to Beech Gap. If enough Maintainers are available tomorrow, we can work Timer Ridge to Beech or to Coleman's Gap.

To join the effort, arrive at club headquarters at 173 Carl Slagle Road in Franklin no later than 8:30 a.m. every Wednesday.

05/20/2026

Join us in support of the Appalachian Trail. For details on any of these events, visit our website.

05/19/2026

Today's update from our club's newly installed trail manager, Orben Loucks:

Last week 12 maintainers and 3 volunteers from Harrah's Cherokee Casino worked from Albert Mountain to Rock Gap and Long Branch, a 5.5-mile section of Long Branch last worked in June 2025.

This week we will work from Burningtown to Tellico Gap (4.8 miles) or Wesser Creek. We will need 2 experienced sawyers. If the weather is not great and we want a short day, we’ll work on the stairs at Rufus Morgan.

To join our maintainers, simply show up at Club HQ, 173 Carl Slagle Road in Franklin, at 8:30 a.m. most Wednesdays. No experience necessary.

05/18/2026

Club hike leader Katharine Brown took this group of adventurers to the Siler Bald summit on May 16. A grand time was had by all, especially after that last eighth of a mile. IYKYK!

At least four club-sponsored hikes are coming up quick. Check our event calendar to learn more about locations and how to register.

05/16/2026

Thank you to everyone who attended tonight’s Spaghetti Dinner fundraiser. Dinner, dessert and time to catch up with friends were equally exceptional.

05/14/2026

What plans do you have to get outside?

Today, the U.S. Forest Service announced an additional 2026 recreation fee-free day on June 6 in celebration of , providing no cost use of all standard amenity recreation sites on national forests and grasslands.

"For National Trails Day in 2025, Forest Service trail managers, partners, and volunteers hosted 80 events, including 54 stewardship projects, engaging with more than 3,100 volunteers who maintained 173 miles of trail,” said Forest Service Chief Tom Schultz. “We hope those who love Forest Service trails will join us at the trailhead on June 6, whether it’s volunteering to build new trails, pick up trash near a trailhead, participating in a nature walk, or taking advantage of the fee-free day benefits.”

Find a local National Trails Day event and join the nationwide movement here: https://americanhiking.org/national-trails-day/find-an-event/