About Us
Who we are
Nothing compares with the transformative power of spending time in the woods. From personal childhood experiences with my dog ranging through the forests behind my home, to weekend camping trips, then a 7 month Thru-Hike of the Appalachian Trail (Ga-Me) and several years as a Senior Field Staff with one of the country’s preeminent Wilderness Therapy companies, I have felt and witnessed this power time and again. My time on the AT and as a Wilderness Therapy field staff combine for more than 3 years total time spent living in the wilderness out of a backpack. This has given me the opportunity to observe the anxiety and discomfort that can be experienced by a newcomer to the natural world. In turn, I saw that same person’s confidence and appreciation of the wilderness surroundings grow as they became familiar with basic backpacking/camping skills. Seeing that process play out led me to believe that making wilderness opportunities available to others is a valuable service. My name is Rob McLarty and I started Walking in the Woods in 2019 to do just that. I hope you join me.
What we do
Walking In The Woods is located in the Southern Appalachian Mountains near Clayton, Georgia. We provide a 2 night basic backpacking instruction course with all gear included. We also provide guided/outfitted hikes for groups that don’t need basic backpacking instruction but do need access to rental gear, logistics coordination (transportation, food, cooking, etc) and an experienced guide with NOLS (National Outdoor Leadership School) Wilderness First Responder medical certification.
Where we hike
Our backpacking home in the Chattahoochee National Forest is the beautiful 35 mile section of the Bartram Trail that runs through the northeast corner of Georgia where it is bordered by North Carolina to the north and South Carolina to the East. First explored and recorded by William Bartram from 1773 to 1777, this trail originally extended through parts of Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Alabama, and Florida. There is much to see and learn on our section of this famous path. Rabun Bald, the second highest mountain in Ga, Martin Creek Falls, Becky Branch Falls, and a portion of the Chattooga River are some of the features that mark the natural beauty of this trail. Different sections of the trail provide a variety of distance and difficulty levels from relatively flat, 1-3 mile hikes each day to 8-12 miles a day over some strenuous terrain. This variety allows us to match your trip to the level of hiking most appropriate for your group, so a great experience is available for beginners or more experienced hikers.