All hikers are invited to join the next Classic Hike of the Smokies and meet a Great Smoky Mountains National Park Ranger, admire the mountain views while lunching on top of Hemphill Bald, and explore the secret hideaways of The Swag Country Inn’s Nature Trail Thursday, July 19. Hiking enthusiast and author Danny Bernstein will lead the hike from Purchase Knob to Hemphill Bald. This 7.5-mile hike is moderate in difficulty and has a total elevation gain/descent of 1,500 feet.

The hike will include a talk from a Park Ranger on the fascinating work done at the Appalachian Highlands Science Learning Center. Hikers will also visit the The Swag’s Nature Trail, a two-mile loop that includes a swinging bridge, working water wheel and hidden pond.

Participants may gather to depart from Asheville at 8:30 a.m. or Waynesville at 9 a.m. Meeting locations will be specified upon registration.

Hikers should come prepared with food, water and appropriate hiking gear for the all day excursion. A donation of $35 to go to the Friends' Smokies Trails Forever program is requested, and includes a complimentary membership to Friends of the Smokies. A donation of $10 is requested from current Friends of the Smokies members. Members who bring a friend hike for free.

Classic Hikes of the Smokies occur on the third Thursday of every month. Other hikes in the series include Mt. Cammerer in August and Big Creek in September.

To register, contact Friends of the Smokies at hannah@friendsofthesmokies.org or call 452-0720. For a list of the North Carolina Classic Hikes series, visit www.friendsofthesmokies.org. Information about helping with the improvements to these special trails can be found at www.smokiestrailsforever.org.