Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy

2027 SAHC Winter Hiking Challenge
2027-01-01 - 2027-03-01
Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy is proud to announce the 7th Annual Winter Hiking Challenge!
The Winter Hiking Challenge sets a goal of 60 miles in 60 days, to be completed in your own time and at your own speed. Those can be miles you’ve walked, ran or hiked – in your neighborhood or through the woods – just make it 60 miles within the 60-day challenge time period (January 1st to March 1st, 2027). No matter your background or ability this event is designed to get folks outside in the cold winter months! Registration opens December 1st and the registration fee is $25 per person. Your registration fee directly supports conservation work in the Southern Appalachians. If you cannot afford the registration fee at this time, please use the coupon code: SAHC2027.
Participants will receive informative emails throughout the challenge with suggestions for some of our favorite places to hike across the mountains of NC and TN, including some new properties SAHC has recently protected. You may enter miles at any date during the 60 days, as long as they are all entered by 11:59 pm on March 1.
Those who complete the Winter Hiking Challenge will receive a commemorative SAHC patch, designed by Solstice Handmade, and all participants are invited to an in-person celebration on Saturday, March 13 at the Wicked Weed Funkatorium.
New this year! We will be introducing a private Facebook Group and Strava Club for challenge participants to connect with one another, share hiking recommendations, and create community throughout the challenge. More information will be provided in your registration details.

Registration Opens December 1, 2026

Interested in sponsoring the challenge? Get in touch with Membership Director Cheryl Fowler at cheryl@appalachian.org.

2027 Winter Hiking Challenge Celebration
2027-03-13 15:00 - 18:00 (America/Halifax) | Wicked Weed Funkatorium, 147 Coxe Ave, Asheville, NC, 28801, United States
Date: Saturday, March 13
Time: 3 to 6 pm
Location: Wicked Weed Funkatorium, 147 Coxe Ave, Asheville, NC 28801
You’re invited to join Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy to celebrate the conclusion of the Winter Hiking Challenge! This gathering will be a chance to connect with other hikers who participated in the challenge, meeting fellow members of the conservation community. SAHC will be there with merchandise for sale and plenty of staff members if you have questions about our work.
There will be freebies, raffles, and auction items available, with proceeds benefitting SAHC’s conservation work. Additionally, there will be a few vendors who helped with the challenge – more information to come. You will NOT receive your patch at this event. Patches will be mailed to finishers upon conclusion of the challenge.
There is public street parking available along Coxe Ave and other nearby streets, a private parking garage The Ironwood Parking Garage at 45 Federal Alley (2 minute walk), and a public parking deck at 11 Sears Alley (9 minute walk). Well-behaved dogs are welcome at the venue. The Funkatorium specializes in sour beer, but regular beer, wine, and non-alcoholic options are also available. Additionally, there is a full kitchen on site serving pizza, sandwiches, and more. Find their menu online here.
Check back for an RSVP form closer to the event date.
