A “paid hike” on the Daniel Boone Scout trail, part of Grandfather Mountain.

If you’re looking for new or relatively unused hiking trails, here’s an insider tip: go on a restricted hike. Restricted hikes take place in areas that require a permit (paid or free) or a guide to enter and many times they offer some of the most amazing outdoor experiences you’ll encounter as a hiker. The PressDemocrat.com, for example, recently published a good article about undiscovered hikes in Sonoma County, CA that mentions a few “restricted hikes” that sound incredible.

Restricted hikes exist for a number of reasons. In some cases permits or guide requirements may be in place to limit access and ultimately environmental impact. In 8th grade my class took a field trip to a place called “Heggie’s Rock” in rural Columbia County, GA where granite dish gardens support two endangered plant species. Restricted access helps protect the ecosystem and makes hikers aware of the uniqueness of Heggie’s Rock.

In other cases hikes may be restricted for safety reasons. At Tallulah Gorge State Park in north Georgia, hikers are required to get free day use permits to enter the gorge. The hike down is steep and rocky while the hike back out of the gorge can be a real physical challenge. At the bottom of the gorge the river creates slippery surfaces and many have been injured sliding down the rocks and swimming in the shallow pools. Permits allow park personnel to keep track of who goes into the gorge and, more importantly, who comes out. There are limits to the number of permits given out each day and park personnel enforce a “no flip flop/crocs” rule at the time of application.

Finally, hiking permit or guide systems may be in place for revenue reasons. It takes money to support and preserve recreation and wilderness areas and permits help agencies recoup costs. In some places in Europe guides are required when entering wilderness areas and are intended to sustain employment for a specific class of workers. In other cases like at privately owned Grandfather Mountain, permits are a source of revenue. The upshot: fewer hikers on the “paid trails” means more solitude.

At first glance permit or guide requirements may seem unfair or unnatural but in many cases they serve an important purpose. With a little advance planning and a willingness to spend a few dollars you can get special access to some amazing hiking spots - reserve your hike now!