Archived Outdoors

Hike week returns to Fontana Village

out hikeweekA week of guided hikes and educational programs will celebrate all that’s great about hiking with Spring Hike Week April 17-21 at Fontana Village Resort. Here’s a look at what’s happening:

• April 17. An overview of the week’s events will begin at 7 p.m., with a few Appalachian Trail hikers stepping off the trail to share their experiences so far. 

• April 18. Two hikes will be offered — an 8-mile loop starting from the Twenty-Mile Ranger Station with opportunity to extend it to 9 miles by hiking up Shuckstack Fire Tower, and a 7-mile hike on single-track up Yellow Creek Gap and down the Stairway to Heaven, ending up back at the resort. A 7 p.m. presentation on edible and medicinal plants by Swain County resident Ila Hatter will follow. 

• April 19. Two hikes will be offered — a 2-mile loop to take in the wildflowers in Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest and a more strenuous 7.5-mile hike following the Benton MacKaye Trail from Old Field Gap Road to Fontana Village. A 7 p.m. presentation on happenings in the U.S. Forest Service’s Western North Carolina lands will follow. 

• April 20. An easy 3.5-mile hike at Lewellyn Cove sporting multiple views and a variety of wildflowers will be offered, with an option to add 3 miles hiking Gold Branch Loop. An evening of country covers and originals by Hannah Styles and Ethan Pendergrass will follow from 7-9:30 p.m.

• April 21. An easy hike along Hazel Creek will follow a boat ride across Fontana Lake, offering exploration of the abandoned town of Proctor. A fire complete with s’mores will follow at 7 p.m. 

Free, with discount lodging available. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 828.498.2122. 

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